Chapter 1
My husband, Brandon Perry, went bankrupt overnight and rushed me and our son to a deserted island, claiming we needed to hide from his creditors.
I was worried about him, so I turned back halfway, only to find him throwing a party at home, with a beautiful woman in his arms.
His buddy teased him, "You dumped your wife and kid on that godforsaken island. How are they supposed to survive out there?"
He answered like it was nothing.
"Lily's dog food factory shut down, so I had all that leftover stock repackaged and shipped to the island. Enough to last them a few years."
Lily Shaw nestled against him with a simpering smile.
"Honey, you're so good to me and our baby." She rubbed her belly, still too early to show.
He traced a finger down her nose, his voice dripping with indulgence.
"You're so helpless, and way too soft. If I don't take care of you, who will? For your sake, I had no choice but to ship that tigress off to the middle of nowhere.
If she found out you were pregnant, she'd eat you alive.
Once you've had the baby and it's at least two, I'll bring them back. By then it'll be a done deal. She can throw all the tantrums she wants."
I felt like I'd been struck by lightning. Cold sweat drenched my entire body.
Three years later, he actually called.
"Babe, how are you and our son doing? I'm coming to get you."
I glanced at the man beside me and smiled to myself.
"We're doing great, actually. My new husband's been wonderful, to me and to your son."
Silence on the other end. Then he laughed, like I'd just told a joke.
"Same old you, huh? Still can't help taking jabs at me after all these years.
I know I haven't visited or even called for three years, and you're upset. I get it.
But babe, you know how things were—I had no choice. The second I settled all the debt, the very first thing I did was call you.
I'll come to the island the day after tomorrow to pick you two up."
I was about to cut him off when my phone died.
Ethan Lawson was still half-asleep. He rolled over, wrapped his arm around my waist from behind, and pulled me back under the covers.
We'd been up all night. Neither of us had slept enough.
By the time I woke up that afternoon, Ethan had already left for the office. My son had been dropped off at his international school by the bodyguard.
Well-rested and in good spirits, I headed to the supermarket to pick up groceries. I wanted to cook a proper dinner for my boys tonight.
I was picking out fresh lamb chops when a woman's voice came from beside me.
"Serena?"
I looked up. It was Lily Shaw.
Two maids trailed behind her. One of them was holding a little girl, about two years old. No paternity test needed. The child was the spitting image of Brandon.
Lily looked startled, clearly not expecting to see me here.
My gaze locked onto the jade pendant hanging from her neck, and something sharp twisted in my chest.
That pendant was my mother's. The only thing she'd ever left me.
Three and a half years ago, Brandon told me he'd accidentally lost it. We filed a police report. He spent three sleepless nights searching. He apologized to me with red-rimmed eyes, and I grieved over it for a long, long time.
He knew. He knew how much that pendant meant to me.
And he'd given it to her.
Beyond the pendant, Lily was draped head to toe in designer labels, every piece of jewelry high-end luxury. Clearly, Brandon had kept her very comfortable these past three years.
Lily put on a familiar smile and called out to me.
"Hey, sis. Welcome back."
Her voice was laced with provocation.
Three years ago, she used to greet me with lowered eyes and a meek "Mrs. Perry."
