Chapter 1

"Lorraine Sinclair, you're free to go."

The prison guard's voice came in through the open prison door. Taken aback, Lorraine paused before stepping forward.

"Has my request for medical parole been approved?"

She had applied for medical parole numerous times, but for some reason, her applications had been rejected every single time.

The guard barked, "Just go as you're told. What's with the questions?"

Lorraine didn't get the answer she wanted. After freshening up, she left with her phone and a diamond necklace that had been collected when she was imprisoned.

A streak of blood left a lasting smear on the biggest diamond on the pendant.

The necklace was a gift from Bonnie Woodruff, her grandmother, to her on the day of the incident, and it happened to get stained with Bonnie's blood when she'd fallen off the stairs and hit her head.

On that day, Lorraine had an argument with Caroline Lennox. Caroline had tried to hit her, but accidentally shoved Bonnie down the stairs instead.

Someone called the police. After weighing the pros and cons, Lorraine was thrown under the bus to serve the sentence on behalf of Caroline.

Proud as she was, she went with the police without a word. She didn't expect to be sentenced to three years in prison.

Two years had passed since then, yet it felt like an eternity.

Outside the prison, an average-looking car was waiting.

Upon seeing her, the driver, Malcolm Hall, immediately got out.

"Mrs. Harrington, I've come to pick you up."

"Malcolm, this is…"

Considering the number of luxury cars stashed away in the Harrington family's and the Sinclair family's garages, why had Malcolm driven his own car?

"Mr. Harrington said my car is more modest. The other cars aren't quite suitable for this trip—using them might bring bad luck."

It turned out they thought it was a bad omen to pick her up in the other cars!

However, weren't they the ones who sent her to prison?

Throughout those two years, no one came to visit her at all. Maybe that was why—they thought it was bad luck.

In the car, Malcolm told Lorraine that both the Harrington and Sinclair families had figured out a way to help her apply for medical parole, and that was why she could be released earlier.

She wondered why her request for medical parole had been turned down when she was really sick, yet they easily freed her by submitting a fake application.

Something didn't feel right!

If they had the ability to free her, why hadn't they done so earlier? Why now?

They soon arrived at the Harrington residence.

Studying the house she remembered so clearly, she had mixed feelings.

This house used to be where she and Weston Harrington had lived after their marriage. It was also where she had her son, Asher Harrington.

She had worked tirelessly to assist Weston's career, and because she failed to care for herself during her pregnancy, Asher had been frail ever since birth. She then became a full-time housewife.

As she entered the house, she saw that Weston, her father, and her brother—Merrick and Edward Sinclair, respectfully—were chatting. No one noticed her.

Asher was sitting with his back to her.

Even though two years had passed and her son had grown, she could still recognize him at first sight.

Instantly, her eyes reddened.

While serving her sentence, she had repeatedly requested to see Asher, but her family had turned her down with the excuse that it wasn't appropriate for a child to visit her in prison.

She held back her tears. When Asher turned around, she noticed he was holding a big tub of ice cream and enjoying it.

She was horrified and tensed up.

Didn't Weston know that Asher had asthma and couldn't eat ice cream?

Just as she was about to step forward, a woman's gentle voice rang out. "Ash, how's the ice cream?"

Caroline came into the living room with coffee.

Lorraine's expression turned grim.

How dare the woman who injured her grandmother have the nerve to show her face at her house? And she was even allowed near Asher!

Lorraine withheld her anger. However, she heard Asher's soft voice reply, "The ice cream you bought is delicious, Aunt Caroline."

Lorraine was puzzled. Aunt Caroline? Why would Asher refer to her as his aunt?

As that thought puzzled her, a middle-aged woman walked out from the kitchen with a fruit platter.

Lorraine immediately recognized her. The last time she saw that woman, she was ten. Her mother, Judy Hughes, had brought her along as they caught Merrick cheating red-handed.

Eventually, a fight broke out, during which Merrick swooped up a vase and smashed it on Judy's head. Since then, Judy had become mentally unstable.

Lorraine could still remember that woman's name—Susan Lennox. She didn't expect to see Susan in her house once again after 17 years.

Wait…

Susan Lennox. Caroline Lennox. It couldn't be a coincidence that they both shared the same surname.

As if to prove her point, she heard Caroline call Susan, "Mom."

Their relationship left Lorraine dumbstruck.

Her father's mistress was actually the mother of her husband's mistress?

Her chest heaved. Everyone in the house seemed to be used to it. It was as though everyone had accepted that fact.

How could her brothers accept Susan? Judy ended up in the psychiatric hospital because of her. How could her brothers turn a blind eye to Merrick bringing Susan into their family?

She was still stunned by the realization when Susan placed the fruit platter near Asher.

"Asher, your mother is coming back soon. Do you miss her?"

Asher wasn't happy to hear that. He grabbed Caroline's hand.

"I want Aunt Caroline to be my mom."

Standing at the door, Lorraine heard him, loud and clear.

Her son wanted another woman to be his mother, and it was the same woman who led to her imprisonment!

Lorraine felt her ears ringing.

Merrick replied, "You have to ask your dad if you want that to happen."

Caroline blushed. She said, "Don't joke around like that, Merrick."

Even Edward teased her, saying, "Weston and Caroline do look like they were made for each other."

Caroline refuted, "Edward, why would you say that too?"

Was Caroline that close to Edward already?

Lorraine's gaze fell on Weston. After two years, he seemed more mature, with an effortlessly imposing presence of someone in a position of power.

He was still as handsome as he used to be, which was the reason she'd fallen head over heels in love with him.

However, he kept quiet from the beginning. As he accepted a fruit slice from Caroline, their interaction seemed to hint at a lingering chemistry between them.

So, that was their daily life during the two years she was in prison. Her heart clenched so badly it hurt.

Suddenly, Jason Sinclair, her eldest brother, spoke from behind her. "You're back, Lorraine?"

At the same time, everyone else in the house heard him. They got to their feet and looked toward her.

Chapter 2

Lorraine's gaze met Weston's. He seemed unperturbed to see her.

When she was still in prison, she'd imagined more than once how she'd throw herself into his arms and cry her heart out once she was released.

But when the time came, she realized his gaze was cold and distant when he looked at her.

She'd had a crush on him since middle school.

Rumors had it that he was the illegitimate son of a noble family. Regardless, she didn't mind the rumors and worked hard to win his favor.

Weston had an aloof personality. He was always polite and distant to everyone around him. Despite that, Lorraine skipped grades and enrolled in the high school he was in with an outstanding score.

It was only when she told him she passed the test with her own efforts that he started to take her seriously.

Even so, she continued chasing him, all through their university years and postgraduate studies. While they were about to apply for their doctoral degree, they accidentally did it.

After that, she gave everything she could to help him build his career without him knowing, investing her money and resources as he started his own business. She used everything she had to pave the path for him.

When he succeeded, the Harrington family finally acknowledged him and accepted him back into the family to inherit the family business.

After that, the Harrington and Sinclair families joined forces through marriage.

As Lorraine became pregnant and Asher was born, her focus shifted to their family.

Gradually, she realized Weston was cheating on her.

One day, he openly invited his junior, Caroline, into Harrington Corporation's core team in the AI department.

It was then that Lorraine found out Caroline was the woman Weston had longed for.

It was also Weston who took Caroline to the Sinclair residence, claiming they came on behalf of Harrington Corporation to celebrate Bonnie's birthday. Eventually, it led to Bonnie's injury.

Instantly, he weighed the pros and cons and requested Lorraine to serve the sentence in place of Caroline.

Now, as Lorraine gazed at Weston, she wondered if her misfortune had begun the moment she'd fallen in love with him.

Her thoughts wandered far in that split second. Everyone else had gotten to their feet, and Edward was gladly striding toward her.

He reached out to hold her hand, but she instinctively dodged him.

Edward's hand closed around thin air, leaving him feeling surprised. He and Lorraine used to be very close.

He stared at her hair, which was chopped off after she entered prison. He wasn't used to the sight.

In her days of luxury, hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on nurturing her long hair, which flowed like a velvet curtain.

Now that her hair was cropped, she wore a simple, tidy hairstyle. Her hair seemed to have thinned too. Edward thought it was all too unfamiliar.

"It's nice to have you back, Raine. These two years must've been tough for you. Don't worry. Everything will just be as it was before you went in."

Would it, though? How could anything be the same?

She now had three years of imprisonment added to her record under the crime of intentionally injuring her grandmother, who loved her the most. To her family, society, or even her son, would everything really be the same as it was?

Moreover, Merrick's mistress and Weston's mistress were both now in her house. Things were already different from back then.

When Bonnie fell off the stairs, she found it hard to believe that no one saw what truly happened. However, everyone agreed that she was the perpetrator.

Everything had changed since back then!

Lorraine was disheartened. Merrick glanced at Weston, who walked up to Lorraine.

He actually initiated the conversation. "I promised you that nothing would change. I've transferred your share of the bonus for the past two years to you. Now that you've been released, you can stay here if you want. If you choose to stay with your family, I can go with you too."

Startled, Lorraine looked up into his eyes.

Weston wasn't a good liar.

At that moment, his eyes were filled with anticipation.

Why? What was he looking forward to?

The look in his eyes confused her.

Wasn't Caroline the woman he longed to be with?

A year after being imprisoned, she had come to her senses and decisively signed the divorce agreement. She had agreed to get a divorce without taking a single penny.

Chapter 3

Although Lorraine didn't receive the divorce certificate while she was in prison, she and Weston should've already been officially divorced a year ago.

She decided to give him freedom. Hadn't he married Caroline yet?

Why would he say that he'd follow her no matter where she wanted to live? It was as though he were still her husband.

When he'd sat next to Caroline earlier, they behaved like a married couple in love with each other—too intimate to be mere friends.

As she pondered what he truly meant, Caroline pulled Asher forward.

Caroline smiled gently as she bent over. She prompted Asher to greet Lorraine. "Ash, that's your mom."

Lorraine's eyes teared up when she gazed at Asher—he was her son, after all.

She stepped forward, wanting to hug him.

Just as she extended her arms, Asher turned around and hid behind Caroline.

He said frankly, "You're a murderer. I don't want to hug you."

Lorraine could hear her heart shattering into a million pieces. She carried him for nine months and almost risked her life giving birth to him.

He inherited heart issues that ran in the family and was born with congenital deficiencies. She put her heart and soul into ensuring he could grow up safely. However, the son she cared so deeply for misunderstood her and called her a murderer!

Her voice trembled as she said, "Ash, I'm your mother."

Asher cried loudly, "I don't want you to be my mother. I don't want the other kids to laugh at me for having a mother who's been to prison."

Upset, Lorraine stumbled backward. Asher then peeked out from behind Caroline to look at her.

Caroline quickly consoled Lorraine. "Ms. Sinclair, he's just a child and doesn't know what he's saying. Don't get mad at him.

"It's been two years since he last saw you. He might need some time to get used to you. He'll get closer to you after a few days. Nothing can come between a mother and her son. Give him some time."

Caroline carried herself with elegance and grace. In comparison, Lorraine seemed all the more fussy and corny.

Did Caroline say she should give Asher some time to get used to her?

How funny, though—she was running out of time.

Jason quickly comforted her. "Raine, Carol's right. Ash's just a child. While you were in prison, he's been tagging behind Carol. For the past two years, Carol not only helped out our company immensely, but she also cared greatly for our family and Ash."

Lorraine looked at Weston. He was there when the incident took place. From where he stood, he must surely have seen Caroline push Bonnie.

He was her husband, the father of her son. Yet, he never spoke up for her. After the incident, couldn't he have at least explained the situation to Asher and come to her defense?

Weston could sense the resentment in her eyes. She must be resentful of him for not defending her when he had the authority and power to do so. He thought he should say something to make his stand clear.

Finally, he said, "The past is in the past. With our families backing you up, no one will bring up this incident. We've talked about it too and decided to declare that you've been studying abroad to cover the incident. No one will mention your time in prison. Don't worry."

Merrick chimed in, "Let's not bring up the past anymore. Now, our family is complete. Let's have dinner together. Your room is ready. After dinner, you two can have more time to yourselves."

Lorraine was surprised he'd come up with that suggestion as though she and Weston were still married. She was about to clarify the situation when Weston walked right up to her and wrapped an arm around her waist.

Taken aback, Lorraine looked up at him, only to see the frost buried deep in his eyes.

However, he said to the others, "Since Lorraine is back, we can have dinner together any other time. It's not convenient for us here at home. I was worried Lorraine would feel awkward, so I booked a room in a hotel. It should be ready by now."

As he spoke, he smiled gently at her. With an arm around her waist, he tugged her outward, as though they were an intimate couple who'd been apart for a long time.

Judging from his words, did he mean he was taking her to the hotel to do what married couples did?

Chapter 4

Nothing could describe the shock Lorraine felt.

From what she remembered, before she went to prison, she and Weston had only slept together less than ten times throughout the three years they'd been married.

Weston was frigid and reserved. He seemed to have no interest in intimate activities. He spent most of his time and energy on work and was well-known as a workaholic.

Lorraine had consulted professionals regarding that—some people were just innately uninterested in intimacy. Therefore, she never forced it.

Back then, the Harrington family had been very eager for them to have a child, so much so that they set up some incense in their room that could help enhance their desire. That was when she had been impregnated.

She learned about that after the deed was done. However, she had already given birth to Asher by then, and Weston seemed happy about it, so she dropped it.

But now, she'd already been in prison for two years. With Caroline in close proximity, why was Weston so keen on doing it with her the moment they met?

Lorraine thought she must be overanalyzing the situation.

She was worried that if she pushed him away, and it turned out he wasn't seeking to have intimate moments with her, it would give the impression that she was the one being too eager.

Just like that, she followed him out of the Harrington residence.

Weston's car was parked by the gate. His car was different from what he'd driven two years ago. It was more expensive than the last. It seemed the Harrington family's business was doing well.

Weston opened the car door for her. Lorraine glanced at him. She wanted to know what he was up to.

He couldn't be seriously thinking of doing it with her, could he? It must be an excuse to speak to her in private.

Alright, she'd love to listen to what he had to say.

The moment she got into the car, Caroline came after them. Weston's expression shifted slightly when he saw her.

Through the car window, Lorraine could see that Caroline seemed downcast.

Weston went to her. Lorraine didn't know what they talked about—the soundproofing in the car was that good.

Then, she saw them part ways. Caroline was forcing a smile, yet it also seemed she was putting on the act of a graceful woman being tolerant of Lorraine.

Then, Weston got into the car and sat beside her. In the narrow space, they both fell silent. It was so quiet they could hear each other's heart pounding.

Lorraine didn't feel like speaking, so the silence ensued until they reached the hotel.

The room was indeed decorated. There were even roses inside.

There was a suggestive atmosphere in the room. The incense that was set up brought a frown to Lorraine's brow.

She was very sensitive to the smell. Five years ago, the Harringtons set up the exact same incense in her and Weston's room. That was how she became pregnant with Asher that night, despite how frigid Weston was.

It turned out she wasn't overanalyzing the situation.

He didn't take her here to talk to her—he was planning to do the deed.

He booked a room in the hotel and had it well decorated, all for that sole purpose!

Had he lost his mind?

Lorraine froze in her steps.

She looked up at him. "Weston, do you love me?"

Love? Weston had never declared his love for her.

As she thought, he fell silent. He wasn't good at lying, so his silence was his answer.

Lorraine turned to leave. Weston caught up with her and grabbed her arm. However, he changed his mind in a split second.

"Forget it. Let's not do it now. You've just returned and might find this too much. Let's… Take it slow."

Take it slow?

They'd already divorced a year ago. Why would they have to take it slow?

Moreover, even if he were merely feeling guilty for not defending her when the incident happened two years ago, she had no time to waste on him.

In that instant, she was tempted to tell him she was dying.

However, she stopped herself.

What now, did she have to try to arouse his sympathy?

"Two years ago, from where you stood, you could see clearly that it was Caroline who shoved Grandma off the stairs. Is Caroline that important to you, so much so that to defend her and ensure her life is like a clean slate, you even threw me under the bus?"

She thought she would be emotionally unperturbed after the past two years in prison and after seeing everyone's true colors.

She never thought she would question him in such an agitated manner.

Weston clearly didn't expect that either.

She stared at him, waiting for him to give her an explanation.

However, Weston simply said, "I didn't see anything."

He was definitely not a good liar, but for Caroline's sake, he averted her gaze and lied through his teeth.

He continued, "You've already been imprisoned for two years. What use is there in bringing this up now? Let the past stay in the past.

"From now on, both the Sinclair and the Harrington families will compensate you and ensure your protection. For the final year of your sentence, you are granted parole. You only have to report to the authorities once a month."

Lorraine's hands trembled under her sleeves.

So, did he mean to say she deserved the two years in prison?

Didn't she have the right to say anything, even though she was framed?

If that was Weston's opinion on this matter, the Sinclair family would think no differently.

"Weston Harrington, do you know what it means to go to prison?"

Lorraine could no longer restrain herself. She turned to leave.

Weston grabbed her arm again. "Lorraine, we can have another child. Haven't you always wanted a daughter?"

Chapter 5

Lorraine studied Weston's expression once again—he seemed desperate.

Why was that?

When they were still married, he'd been fairly uninterested in intimate activities.

However, they'd already signed the divorce papers a year ago.

Given how deeply he loved Caroline, she believed he'd been ecstatic and more than eager to go through with the divorce when he received the divorce papers she'd signed. Moreover, she was willing to divorce him without any compensation.

Since they were already divorced, what trick was he trying to pull now?

He wanted a daughter?

He should take a look at how their son turned out.

Asher, whom she'd treasured from the time he was born, only respected his father. After the incident two years ago, he'd never once called her "Mom". He even declared he didn't want her as his mother anymore and begged Caroline, Weston's mistress, to be his mother.

Lorraine snapped, "Weston, you've really lost it!"

Then, she left without hesitation.

Right now, her greatest wish was to visit Judy and Bonnie.

But when she got home, she heard Susan comforting Caroline. "Bear with it, Carol. That child's life is at stake. If anything is to be blamed, blame it on fate and its unexpected turns. We can't do anything about this predicament. That child's life comes first. I know you love Ash. We can't just—"

Before she could finish speaking, the household staff announced, "Mrs. Harrington, you're back."

Susan and Caroline looked toward her. Alarmed, Susan averted her gaze shiftily.

Merrick was surprised. "Raine, I thought you went to the hotel with Weston. Why have you come back?"

"I've come to take some stuff. I want to visit the psychiatric hospital and the nursing home."

Caroline walked up to her. Lorraine noticed her eyes were redder than before. She must've just been crying.

However, Caroline remained calm and composed. She gently said, "I'll get someone to accompany you."

Lorraine frowned. She walked past her, brushing against her shoulder. "There's no need."

Since when did Caroline have a say in this house?

She didn't bump that hard into Caroline, but Asher just happened to witness that when he was descending the stairs.

He dashed up to her and stood before Caroline with his arms extended.

When Lorraine tried to hug him earlier, he was so scared that he hid behind Caroline.

Now, he was brave enough to stand before Caroline when he thought she was trying to hurt Caroline.

It was as though she were a monster to him.

Lorraine felt her heart ache.

Asher barked at her warily, "Don't you dare hurt Aunt Caroline. I hate you!"

Lorraine was too shocked to act.

Caroline stopped Asher. "Ash, your mom didn't hurt me. Apologize to her now."

Asher didn't apologize. Instead, he reached out and touched her eyes. "Aunt Caroline, you cried."

Then, he turned and shouted at Lorraine. "If it weren't for the baby's cord blood, Dad wouldn't even talk to you. Then, Aunt Caroline wouldn't be sad."

Right after Asher said that, Caroline, Susan, and the Sinclairs anxiously stopped him. "Ash…"

Lorraine stood still as though she was struck by lightning. Cold sweat broke out all over.

She didn't understand what Weston was trying to do, but now, she got it.

So, that was the truth…

When she went to prison, she indeed had her own pride and was doing it out of spite.

At first, she was hoping that Weston would regret it and bail her out.

But as time went on, her heart went cold.

Now, she'd been bailed out, just like she hoped. She had allowed herself to feel hopeful. Yet, it turned out he was only using her.

When Weston ran in after her and saw everyone's expression, he gently tugged on Lorraine's hand.

In a soothing voice, he said, "If it's too much for you to do it right now, we can take it slowly."

Lorraine shoved his hand away and stared into his eyes. Her eyes were cold like never before.

"Weston Harrington, tell me. What do you need cord blood for?"