Chapter 1

As soon as Danielle Bradford has recovered from her postpartum period, she brings her baby to the county clerk's office to register for the baby's birth certificate.

"My baby's full name is Taylor Gardner. Her father is Matthew Gardner."

The employee types on the keyboard, but his brows draw tighter afterward.

"The system has flagged another child with the same name under the same father."

His words leave Danielle momentarily stunned. Thinking that her ears have deceived her, she blurts out, "That's impossible! Our baby has just turned one month old!"

But Danielle feels her phone buzzing in her pocket before she can finish speaking. She taps on the screen, only to see a photo sent by Matthew's assistant, Meghan Landry.

In the photo, Matthew has his left arm wrapped around Meghan's waist while carrying a five-year-old boy with his right arm. The three of them stand in front of a kindergarten's entrance with smiles so bright that they practically sting Danielle's eyes.

On the boy's chest is a nametag that clearly says "Taylor Gardner".

Chapter 1

A message popped up on the screen.

"How does it feel to be the mistress, Ms. Bradford? You'll spend the rest of your life living in my shadow as the legal wife."

Danielle Bradford's heart tightened in a suffocating grip. With trembling fingers, she looked at the clerk and whispered, "Could you please… check Matthew's marriage record as well?"

The printer spat out a sheet of paper. It looked so light, yet holding it in her palm felt unbearably heavy. The record clearly listed Meghan Landry as Matthew's spouse, with a marriage date from seven years ago.

"Ma'am, do you still want to proceed with the birth certificate registration?"

The clerk's voice felt distant, barely registering as Danielle struggled to process what she had just seen.

She gazed down at her daughter's sleeping face and forced a bitter smile. "I'd like to change both her first name and last name. She'll be taking my last name."

…

When Danielle walked out of the county clerk's office, her steps felt unsteady, as if she were treading on clouds.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Matthew. "Honey, I'm in a meeting at the office. I'll be home later to see you and the baby."

Danielle found it ridiculous that he called her honey.

Throughout their years together, Matthew had used that pet name every day. He would always let her know whenever he went out and demand a hug the moment he walked through the door. All those little moments of tenderness now felt like nothing but a cruel joke.

She got into the car, her hands shaking so violently she could barely fit the key into the ignition.

Danielle understood the unspoken rules of high society. Wealthy couples often lived separate lives, but Matthew had once been the exception.

Once, at a gala, a socialite insulted her publicly. By the next day, Matthew had dismantled that woman's family business, forcing them into bankruptcy and out of the city in disgrace.

If she casually mentioned wanting a limited-edition item, he would fly halfway across the globe overnight just to get it and see her smile.

What stood out most in her mind was a scare during a medical checkup. A nurse mixed up the reports and told them that she was suffering from kidney failure.

Matthew's eyes welled with tears. He clutched the doctor's coat and shouted, "Give her my kidney! Take both if you have to! If I lose her, I don't want to live anymore!"

Once they realized it was a mistake, the man who ruled the boardroom with a cold heart crouched in the hospital hallway, sobbing like a child. "Thank God, Danielle. I'm so glad you're okay."

People around her often warned that as Matthew's empire grew, he would inevitably attract countless admirers. Yet he treated her so well that she couldn't muster even a trace of suspicion.

Danielle couldn't understand why Matthew chose Meghan, especially since he had once regarded her with utter contempt.

Meghan used to work as a housekeeper for the Bradford family. One day, she deliberately wore a low-cut dress while bringing Matthew his coffee.

He smashed the cup on the spot and snapped at her, "Don't pull these cheap tricks in front of me! Don't bother coming back tomorrow!"

He then pulled Danielle into a tight embrace, his gaze burning with intensity. "Honey, you're the only one for me. I'll kick out anyone who tries those shameless stunts."

Meghan had dropped to her knees, sobbing and begging for mercy, but Matthew hadn't even spared her a glance.

"I only love Dani," he had said. "I can't stand anyone else in my eyes. Don't you dare show yourself in front of me again, you filthy thing!"

Meghan had scrambled to her feet, her face drained of color. She had packed her things and left that same day.

When Matthew eventually hired her as his personal assistant, he offered Danielle a logical explanation.

"Danielle, after she lost her job, her family tried to marry her off to some old widower. She was in such despair, talking about ending it all every day. I'm afraid she'd run her mouth about us, so I keep her right under my watch."

Danielle believed him at the time. She never imagined that they had been together right under her nose for so long, and that their child was already six years old.

She clenched her teeth, fighting back the tears welling in her eyes, and contacted a private investigator.

Half an hour later, a video arrived along with a GPS location. She drove straight to the coordinates provided.

Matthew wasn't at the office. He had just finished attending Taylor Gardner's kindergarten parent-teacher meeting.

He held Meghan's hand while carrying Taylor in his other arm. As the three of them crossed the street together, the genuine warmth in his smile surpassed any expression Danielle had ever seen in their own family photos. The sight struck her like a blow to the chest.

Danielle sped after them, following their car all the way to an upscale neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. They stopped in front of a villa.

She watched Matthew step out of the car first and retrieve a massive box of toys from the trunk. Taylor cheered as he ran off, clutching the toys.

Meghan leaned into Matthew's chest and said, "You spoil him too much."

"He's my son. Who else am I supposed to spoil?" Matthew replied.

He leaned down to kiss her. "Besides, he earned the most gold stars today, and it made me proud."

Meghan looked up at him with misty eyes. "Matt, thank you for getting Taylor into the most prestigious private elementary school.

"Honestly… his birth was an accident. I never meant to intrude on your life. Just seeing you from afar was enough. We never wanted to get between you and Ms. Bradford."

"Don't be ridiculous," Matthew said, pinching her cheek.

His voice was soft, yet every word came through clearly. "She'll never find out. Besides, you're the woman I'm legally married to. It's only right that I take care of my wife and son."

Meghan smiled through her tears. Matthew leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Since we are husband and wife, isn't it time we attended to certain marital duties?"

Meghan's face flushed crimson as he swept her off her feet and carried her into the villa.

Danielle remained in the car, her heart aching, then drove home in a daze.

…

When Matthew walked through the front door that evening, he acted perfectly normal, opening his arms for a hug.

"Did you wait long, honey? Was it a long day with the baby?" he asked.

Danielle subtly stepped aside. "About our daughter's birth certificate—"

"I'll handle the paperwork another day. Stop worrying about it!" Matthew's tone suddenly turned sharp.

However, upon seeing her pale face, he quickly softened his voice and coaxed her. "The bureaucracy is a nightmare right now. You just finished your postpartum recovery, so stay home and rest. I'll take care of everything."

Danielle lowered her eyes and nodded, never mentioning that she had already changed their daughter's last name to her own. She also didn't mention the phone call she had made to Matthew's most hated rival, Stefan Weaver, on her way home.

She had gripped her phone, speaking with calm resolve. "Legally, I'm still single. If you're still interested, I'll marry you in seven days."

Chapter 2

Matthew let out a sigh of relief and leaned toward Danielle, a teasing pout on his face. "We haven't been intimate since you finished your postpartum recovery. Tonight—"

A wave of nausea hit Danielle, and just as she was about to speak, his phone rang.

Matthew shot her a guilty look and turned away to answer. After hanging up, he sounded anxious. "Honey, there's an emergency at the office. I need to head over right now."

He grabbed his coat and rushed out. Danielle's chest tightened, and she quietly followed him in her car.

Matthew's car slowly stopped in front of the secluded villa. Minutes later, Meghan walked out and climbed into the passenger seat, swaying her hips with every step. The car began to rock violently, leaving no doubt of what occurred inside.

Danielle opened the surveillance app on her phone. The irony hit her sharply.

She had originally installed the listening device to ensure his safety during business outings. Now it served as a tool to witness his betrayal.

Matthew's voice drifted through, low and breathless. "Good thing you faked a stomachache to lure me here, or I'd still be stuck at home putting on an act. You've kept yourself in much better shape. Danielle has so many stretch marks now. It actually makes my stomach turn."

Meghan whimpered softly. "Then don't go back tonight. Stay here with me."

Matthew grew more frantic in his movements. Before long, he carried Meghan into the villa, clearly unsatisfied by the confines of the car.

Danielle sat motionless behind the wheel all night, unable to comprehend how the man who once said he loved her more than anything could stoop this low.

…

The next morning, Danielle pretended to just wake up as Matthew returned with damp hair, clearly fresh from a shower.

"Wake up, Danielle. I'm taking you to an auction today. They have some antiques you'll love."

He leaned down, kissed her forehead, and spoke in the same gentle tone he had always used. Danielle hesitated for a moment but decided to go along.

Inside the auction house, Meghan approached them in a red dress with a high slit, drawing every eye to her flawless legs. "Mr. Gardner, let me take your coat for you."

Matthew sidestepped her with visible disgust, his voice cold. "I'm here with my wife today. Why are you here?"

The guests' attention instantly shifted toward them.

Meghan bit her lip and looked at Danielle with a wounded expression. "But someone needs to attend to you…"

Everyone knew how much Matthew adored Danielle. Their wedding had been a legendary affair, attended by every notable figure in the city.

Whispers erupted around them at once.

Matthew tightened his grip on Danielle's waist and frowned. "Ms. Landry, you're not needed here. Go back to the office."

Meghan ran off in tears under the judgmental glares of the guests.

Matthew gave Danielle a gentle kiss on her forehead and guided her to their seats, but she could clearly sense his irritation. As several items went under the hammer, his gaze drifted, and his leg bounced restlessly beneath the table.

When the gem known as Radiant Heart appeared, Matthew raised his paddle and placed an aggressive bid. He then stood up to excuse himself. "Danielle, I'm going to the restroom. If there's anything you like, just bid on it."

All eyes turned to Danielle with envy.

"Mr. Gardner really spoils his wife. He even placed a high bid for her."

"Well, she is the heiress of the Bradford family. She probably wouldn't settle for anything less."

Danielle ignored the chatter. As soon as Matthew left, she went after him. When she reached the door of the women's restroom, scandalous noises drifted from one of the stalls.

Matthew's voice was breathless. "You little minx, who told you to come dressed like this? Weren't three times this morning enough?"

"You're the one who was mean to me first," Meghan said, pouting seductively. "Didn't it occur to you when you kicked me out earlier?"

He sighed. "Be good. After all, she's my wife in name, and the influential people here all respect the Bradford family. You know that."

She let out a soft whimper, her voice trembling. "But I'm your legal wife. When will I finally be able to stand by your side in public?"

Matthew's voice turned stern. "Stop it. We agreed to keep our marriage hidden. Don't cross the line."

He paused for a moment, his tone softened. "That gem I just bought is for you. Consider it a peace offering."

"I want a wedding too! One even bigger than Danielle's!"

Meghan's remaining words were drowned out by the sound of wet kisses.

Danielle's stomach lurched. She stumbled out of the auction house and pressed herself against a wall, retching violently.

She finally saw Matthew for who he truly was. He called her his wife in public, but his heart belonged to Meghan and Taylor.

The carefully maintained public facade of their love had been nothing but him playing her for a fool. That fake marriage certificate and the grand wedding now seemed like a pathetic joke.

Danielle closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and comforted herself. "Six more days. Just get through these six days, and it'll be over."

She immediately called her assistant, Cindy Brown. "Audit all my shares and projects within Gardner Group as soon as possible and prepare the transfer agreements."

The next second, Cindy's words made her blood run cold. "Ms. Bradford, the Escort Project you were in charge of was transferred to Ms. Landry last month!"

Chapter 3

The Escort Project was the smart bionic prosthetics project that Danielle's father, James Bradford, had valued most during his lifetime.

James had dedicated his life to philanthropy, and it was his lifelong dream to complete this project to benefit more people with disabilities.

Danielle had pushed through her pregnancy to oversee the project for several months. She had only stepped back once it started to take shape just before she gave birth.

By the time she arrived at the office, Cindy was already panicking. "Ms. Bradford, Mr. Gardner has entrusted everything to Ms. Landry. We have no idea what's really going on."

Danielle remained composed. "It's fine. Let's go to the CEO's office. I know Matthew's computer password."

Before they reached the office, Meghan rushed over and blocked her path. "Hold on, Mrs. Gardner."

Her lips were swollen, hickeys marked her neck, and her face radiated arrogance. "You can't go in without Mr. Gardner's permission."

Danielle shoved her aside with a cold expression. "Move. I personally oversaw this project, so I have the right to review it."

"You stopped managing this project when you got pregnant, and now you want to waltz in and steal someone else's achievements? It doesn't work that way."

Unable to stop Danielle, Meghan was so furious that she blurted out whatever came to mind.

At that moment, Matthew rushed over, his voice tinged with panic. "Danielle, why did you leave early? You didn't even wait for me."

Danielle scoffed internally. He had been too busy being intimate with Meghan to bother leaving with her.

She handed him a set of documents. "Matthew, look at these figures! The prosthetic materials were supposed to be imported. Why were they replaced with substandard parts? Who switched the suppliers and pocketed the difference?"

Meghan had substituted inferior materials for quality ones, cut corners, and pocketed the price difference.

Matthew frowned, finally realizing something was wrong.

Meghan's face drained of color, and she rushed to speak. "This has nothing to do with Mr. Gardner. I'm sorry, Mrs. Gardner. I only wanted to make more money to support my son. If anyone is to blame, let it be me alone."

She wept pitifully, which made Matthew's heart ache with sympathy.

Danielle scoffed. "Apologies are useless. This is criminal behavior, and I'm calling the police."

As soon as she finished speaking, a small figure lunged forward and slammed into her.

"Mean lady! Don't bully my mommy! Daddy, hit her!"

Taylor's shrill voice echoed through the workspace.

Danielle let out a muffled groan from the impact, her face instantly going pale. The surrounding employees watched the scene with visible shock.

Matthew rushed to her side at once. "Danielle, are you alright?"

Meghan hurriedly pulled Taylor to her side, pretending to scold him. "Taylor, where are your manners? Apologize to Ms. Bradford right now!"

She then turned to Danielle. "Mrs. Gardner, take your anger out on me. Please don't hold it against a child."

Despite her words, a look of triumph flickered in her eyes.

Before Danielle could speak, Matthew cut in. "Don't be so hard on him. He's just a kid. He doesn't know any better."

He then turned to Meghan. "Taylor didn't mean it. Take him home first. I'll explain things to Danielle."

Danielle locked eyes with Matthew and spoke slowly. "What is there to explain? Are you going to explain why he calls me a 'mean lady'? Or are you going to explain why he calls you 'Daddy'?"

She refused to endure another second of their pathetic performance and turned to leave the office.

Matthew chased after her. "Danielle, Ms. Landry's son is only six years old. Why are you picking a fight with a kid?"

Danielle clenched her fists. "How can a kid be so vicious at such a young age? That's clearly the parents' failure. Why shouldn't I hold him accountable? Is he your kid?"

Matthew's expression shifted instantly as he pretended to be angry. "Danielle, what nonsense are you talking about? How could he be mine? Our daughter is my only child."

Even at this point, he continued to lie through his teeth.

Danielle smiled bitterly and looked up at Matthew. "Then what is our daughter's name? You haven't even given her a name to this day."

Chapter 4

Matthew fell silent. Taylor was the name he had originally chosen for their child.

Danielle had once seen it in his notes. He had written it down himself, planning to use it regardless of the child's gender. He hoped the child would grow up to be as strong and elegant as the name he had chosen.

Yet now, that very name belonged to Meghan's son.

"Olivia."

Danielle spoke first.

"My daughter's name is Olivia."

Matthew's Adam's apple bobbed as the tension in his eyes eased, his voice returning to its usual warmth. "Olivia is a beautiful name. It sounds graceful and bright."

He reached out, trying to brush her hair. "Danielle, I have to go on a business trip for a few days. When I get back—"

"Right," she cut in. "Work comes first."

Danielle had no patience left for his act. She turned and walked away.

…

Danielle returned home and had just put Olivia to sleep when a notification popped up on her phone. Meghan had posted a new update on her social media.

The photo showed three hands clasped together, with Taylor's chubby palm gripping a set of car keys. Matthew had actually given Taylor a five-million-dollar car for him to play with.

Meanwhile, despite reminding him three times last week, he still forgot to buy the imported diapers for Olivia.

Danielle laughed and quietly saved the screenshot of the post into her evidence folder.

Cradling Olivia in her arms, she watched as her daughter smacked her lips, her eyelashes casting shadows in the light. She leaned down to kiss her soft cheek.

"Sweetheart, Mommy will definitely keep you safe."

…

The following day, after Danielle finished auditing her assets and shares, she booked a flight to Hadrion departing in three days.

Ever since Matthew sensed her suspicion, he had been messaging her almost every hour these past few days.

"Honey, today's client was a nightmare, but I managed to close the deal."

"You're working so hard, honey. The cookies here in Nethoria are incredible. I'll bring you here next time."

He probably had no clue that every cent of the project bonuses he funneled into Meghan's account was documented in her inbox.

Nor did he realize that, while he carefully maintained the image of a devoted husband, Meghan was using his money to post photos of lingerie stuffed with bills and her body covered with suggestive marks.

Danielle stared at her phone and let out a hollow laugh. Once upon a time, Matthew had treated her with the same devotion.

They were childhood sweethearts everyone envied. He had once blushed under a tree, saying she was the only one he would ever marry. In college, he was fiercely protective of her, and he would quietly drive away anyone who pursued her.

When she underwent an appendectomy, he stayed by her hospital bed for three days straight without a wink of sleep. He even transferred his first paycheck to her account with a note that read, "For my princess."

Suddenly, a sharp cry rang out from the nursery room.

The housekeeper, Sandra Miller, ran out in a panic. Her hands were stained with blood. "Mrs. Gardner, something has scratched the baby's thigh, and the bleeding won't stop! Please come quickly and take a look!"

Danielle's heart dropped. She sprinted into the room and scooped up Olivia. The baby's cries had subsided, but the wound continued to bleed.

Danielle rushed toward the hospital, holding Olivia in a panic.

After the examination, the doctor approached her with the results. "She has a coagulation disorder, and her hemoglobin is dangerously low. She needs an immediate transfusion."

Danielle's lips trembled. "Doctor, take mine! I'm her mother—"

"Direct donation from parents isn't allowed," the doctor replied gravely. "Besides, your daughter has RH-negative blood. We need to check the blood bank's inventory first."

"Give her a coagulant, hurry!"

Danielle screamed the order in desperation.

But even after the injection, the bleeding continued. Olivia's face was ghostly pale. Danielle held her tightly, tears running down her cheeks.

Minutes later, a nurse hurried in, her face full of sympathy. "Ms. Bradford, the RH-negative blood in our inventory… It's all been requisitioned."

Danielle snapped her head up, her eyes bloodshot. "You just said there was a supply. How could it suddenly be gone?"

The nurse bit her lip and lowered her voice. "This is a private hospital. The son of Mr. Gardner, our major shareholder, urgently needed a transfusion. The director immediately ordered all the RH-negative blood from the bank to be sent to the VIP room."

Her words broke the last thread of Danielle's composure. As she reached for her phone to confront Matthew, she saw Meghan's latest social media post.

The caption read, "Little troublemaker, scraped your knee, huh? Luckily, you've got such a powerful dad. He can get the city's rarest RH-negative blood in a heartbeat just for you!"

Rage surged through Danielle. She carefully handed Olivia to the nurse, then stormed toward the VIP room on the top floor.

When she kicked the door open, Meghan was sitting by the bed, playing video games with Taylor. The scrape on Taylor's knee was so minor that a bandage was unnecessary. The sight made Danielle's heart ache sharply.

She stared at the happy mother and child before her, her chest burning with hatred that threatened to consume her.

She was unable to hold back and shouted, "Give the blood to my daughter!"

Chapter 5

With Matthew away, Meghan couldn't be bothered to keep up the act, smugness written all over her face. "Why should I give the blood to your daughter? Are you blind? My son is injured!"

Danielle's voice cracked with a sob. "He only has a scraped knee, but my daughter has a coagulation disorder. If she doesn't get a transfusion soon, she could die!"

A doctor outside overheard the commotion and stepped in, his voice hesitant. "What's going on? If there's enough blood, could you spare some for this lady's child?"

Danielle snapped her head up to look at the doctor as if he were her last hope, her voice trembling uncontrollably. "I'm begging you. My daughter needs RH-negative blood immediately. If we wait any longer—"

Meghan cut her off with a scoff and rolled her eyes. "Doctor, my husband is the major shareholder of this hospital. You're aware of that, aren't you?

"He personally ordered that all RH-negative blood in this hospital be reserved for my son. Are you trying to lose your job?"

Those words pushed Danielle over the edge. She lunged forward and snatched the bag of crimson blood right off the IV stand.

Meghan shrieked and stomped her feet. "How dare you try to take the blood meant for my son? Security! Call security now! This crazy woman is trying to rob my son of his life-saving blood!"

Security rushed in and instantly seized Danielle's arms.

Meghan puffed up like a peacock. She lunged forward to snatch back the blood bag and shouted at the guards, "This bitch tried to steal my son's life-saving blood! Get her out of here immediately!"

As they dragged Danielle from the hospital room, a burning rage surged through her chest. "There was clearly enough blood in this hospital. She just refused to share it! I'm calling Matthew right now!"

The hospital's director, Carl Trevino, was alerted to the commotion. When he arrived, he overheard her words and frowned immediately. "Wait. Which one of you is Mrs. Gardner?"

The next second, Meghan thrust her phone in front of Carl's face, displaying a digital marriage certificate. "Take a good look! I'm the one legally married to Mr. Gardner! Taylor is his legitimate son!"

She shot a venomous glance at Danielle from the corner of her eye. "That daughter of hers is nothing but an illegitimate child."

As soon as she finished speaking, the patients walking by in the hallway gathered around, their judgmental whispers stinging like needles.

"Good grief, is the mistress really that brazen? How dare she take the blood meant for the wife's son?"

"The child of a woman like that is better off dead!"

Danielle's heart ached with grief. Thinking of Olivia's pale face in the emergency room, her legs buckled, and she dropped to her knees before Meghan. "I'm begging you… Please save my daughter…"

The surrounding chatter ceased abruptly as every eye fixed on the absurd scene.

Meghan didn't even blink as she casually dialed Matthew's number. The moment the call connected, her voice carried a hint of feigned hurt.

"Matt, please come save Taylor. Ms. Bradford hates me so much that she's trying to take the blood reserved for him. She's trying to kill us!"

Danielle broke free from the guards and screamed into the phone. "Matthew, Olivia is bleeding! She has a coagulation disorder and needs a transfusion now! Tell the hospital to give us some blood, or she'll die!"

There was a brief silence on the other end before Matthew spoke with suppressed irritation. "Danielle, I authorized that blood for Taylor. He needs it now. Stop making a scene and causing trouble."

Danielle screamed at the top of her lungs, "Olivia is just a month old! She'll only need a tiny amount of blood! Taylor only has a scratch, but Olivia is fighting for her life in the emergency room!

"I'm asking you one last time. Your daughter's life is on the line. Will you give her the blood or not?"

Only static buzzed through the phone.

After a long pause, Matthew's voice finally drifted back slowly, tinged with suspicion. "How could a newborn have a coagulation disorder? Danielle, would you really curse your own daughter just to get your way?"

Tears streamed down Danielle's face. "Matthew! Your own child is dying! Do you not understand me?"

Carl suddenly leaned toward the phone, his voice dripping with flattery. "Mr. Gardner, should we remove this woman? She seems mentally unstable and keeps insisting she's your wife."

There was another pause on Matthew's end, and when he finally spoke, his voice was as cold as ice. "My wife is Meghan Landry. She is currently tending to our son, Taylor. I… don't have a daughter."

The crowd seemed relieved, their gazes turning even more contemptuous toward Danielle.

Meghan let out a cold laugh and hurled the bag of RH-negative blood onto the floor in front of Danielle. "That illegitimate child of yours isn't worthy of this blood."

She ground her heel into the red puddle, speaking with venom in every word. "I'd rather pour it out to water the flowers than give it to you."

At that moment, Danielle felt her heart shatter, and even breathing became painful. The VIP room door slammed shut with a heavy thud, sealing Meghan and Taylor away from the chaos outside.

Danielle stumbled back to Olivia's hospital room and cradled her cold body, tears falling onto her pale face. As despair slowly overwhelmed her, her phone screen lit up.

Meghan had posted on social media again. In one photo, she smiled brightly while holding Taylor. The other was a screenshot of a money transfer from Matthew with a note saying, "I love you. Take good care of Taylor."

As Danielle stared at the photos, her blood ran cold while Olivia's breathing grew shallow in her arms.

Just then, a crisp male voice came from the doorway. "Hello. I have RH-negative blood. I can provide a transfusion for your daughter."

Chapter 6

Thanks to the 400 ml of blood donated by that kind stranger, Olivia's life was spared.

A wave of irony hit Danielle. Olivia's biological father controlled the hospital's entire blood bank, yet he refused to spare her even a single drop. Meanwhile, a complete stranger had donated blood and disappeared without leaving any contact information.

Color slowly returned to Olivia's cheeks, and she instinctively searched for milk.

Sandra looked at Olivia and voiced her lingering suspicions in a low whisper.

"Mrs. Gardner, something feels wrong. I've always been meticulous with Olivia and never let anything sharp near her. The doctor said her wound was caused by a blade, but she had been lying safely in her crib the entire time."

Danielle's chest tightened, and she immediately went home to investigate.

She then discovered several sharp utility blades hidden in the folds of the crib's velvet sheets, stained with Olivia's blood.

Her mind reeled from the shock. She had asked Matthew to buy this crib during her postpartum recovery.

Matthew never cared about domestic details, simply instructing his assistant to get the most expensive model available. Meghan had handled the purchase, and Danielle was certain that she had hidden the blades there.

A chill creeped up Danielle's spine.

She wondered if Matthew knew that Meghan had tried to kill Olivia, and whether he would seek justice for her if he found out. Yet her questions remained unanswered.

Danielle curled up in the corner of the couch, holding Olivia tightly. She closed her eyes and murmured, "Don't be scared, Olivia. Mommy won't let anyone hurt you again."

She felt relieved that in just two more days, she could leave with Olivia and start anew.

…

The moment Matthew returned from his business trip, he launched into a tirade at her.

"Danielle, you've been acting so spoiled lately! I was only away for a few days, and you caused a scene at the hospital. Did you even think about my reputation?"

Danielle felt a chill run through her body.

Matthew glanced at the sleeping Olivia in her arms and frowned deeper. "Using Olivia for your schemes is so disappoint—"

Danielle cut him off coldly. "Matthew, we're done."

He stiffened and gripped her arm tightly. "What do you mean, we're done? Danielle, we grew up together and have known each other for over a decade! How can you make such a big deal out of something so trivial?"

Danielle couldn't believe that he still had the nerve to bring up their history. Feeling a sharp sting in her chest, she raised her voice. "Didn't you say on the phone that Meghan was your wife and Taylor was your son?"

Matthew's eyes darted, and he looked away. Guilt flashed on his face. "That was an emergency! The staff at that hospital follow my wife's orders. What if I told the truth and they listened to you instead, refusing Taylor the transfusion?"

Danielle's heart throbbed with pain. Just as she was about to expose the fact that they weren't legally married, his next words left her speechless.

"I get it now. Are you jealous of Meghan?"

Matthew narrowed his eyes as he studied her, his tone full of certainty. "You know you're the only one I love, yet you use Olivia to compete for my attention out of jealousy. Is it because she has a son and you only have a daughter? Is that why you deliberately caused trouble?"

Before Danielle could respond, his phone suddenly rang.

Matthew glanced at the caller ID and said to Danielle, "Don't go to the office. Stay home and reflect on your behavior instead."

He then left in a hurry.

Danielle fought to suppress the hatred boiling in her chest. Her marriage certificate with Matthew was fake, so she didn't even have the right to sue Meghan to recover the marital assets.

Even so, she refused to let a single dollar of what belonged to her slip away. She carefully went over her shares once more, planning to contact the other shareholders to sell them at a low price.

Just as she arrived at the office, Sandra called. "Mrs. Gardner, you need to come back immediately!

"A woman claiming to be Mr. Gardner's assistant forced her way in with a child. She says Mr. Gardner personally gave her permission. I can't stop them!"

Chapter 7

Upon realizing that the intruder was Meghan, Danielle's pulse quickened. She gripped her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.

"I'm coming back right now."

She drove home as fast as she could.

Sandra paced the foyer, anxiety etched across her face. When she saw Danielle return, she rushed over, her voice choked with tears. "Mrs. Gardner, I couldn't stop them. Mr. Gardner personally called and told me to let them in."

As Danielle stepped inside, she found Taylor sprawled on the floor playing marbles, sending colorful glass marbles scattering everywhere.

The moment he spotted her, he shrieked, "Mommy, look! That mean lady who tried to take my blood is back!"

Meanwhile, Meghan stood by the crib, her fingers hovering over Olivia's cheek as she cooed at her.

"Get away from my daughter!" Danielle shouted.

She lunged forward and shoved Meghan aside.

Meghan stumbled back a few steps but didn't get angry. Instead, a smile tugged at her lips as she looked at Danielle.

"Let me remind you of something, Ms. Bradford. Matthew and I are legally married. That makes you the shameless mistress. This house is part of our marital assets, and I can kick you out whenever I please!"

The words hit Danielle like a punch. Her chest ached with every breath, yet she had no way to refute them. "I've long stopped wanting a piece of trash like Matthew. I'll be leaving."

She gritted her teeth, her knuckles whitening with tension. "But until then, get out! Otherwise, I'll call the press right now and expose your disgusting affair.

"At least in public, everyone in Khester still recognizes me as the only Mrs. Gardner. I'd love to see whose reputation suffers most if you push me to the edge."

Meghan was hit where it hurt and screamed in fury, "Who do you think you are, acting so high and mighty? The law is on my side! You're the one who should get out, you bitch!"

Danielle lifted her gaze calmly, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "If I leave him, I still have the entire Bradford family behind me. But what about you? You're just a housekeeper who seduced her boss.

"Even if you married Matthew, do you really think he'd ever acknowledge a woman like you in public? I bet your relationship will always have to stay a secret."

Meghan's eyes burned with resentment. She raised her hand and struck Danielle's face hard. "Shut up!"

The sharp crack of the slap echoed through the living room.

Danielle's cheek burned, but she didn't even flinch before delivering an even harder blow in return. She knew the security cameras in the room would clearly show who started the fight.

At that moment, an unnatural whimper came from the crib.

Danielle spun around, her pupils shrinking in horror. Taylor quickly pulled his hand out of the crib, but Danielle saw clearly that he had just shoved a glass marble into Olivia's mouth.

Danielle's heart nearly leaped out of her chest. She lunged for Olivia, scooping her up and patting her back with trembling hands. "Spit it out! Please, spit it out!"

"Danielle, what are you doing to Olivia?"

Matthew's furious voice suddenly rang out from the doorway. He rushed into the room, and his face instantly darkened at the sight of Danielle "mishandling" Olivia.

Meghan immediately clung to his arm, her eyes brimming with tears as she tried to defend Taylor. "Matt, thank God you're back! Taylor just adores Olivia and wanted to play with her using marbles. I didn't expect Ms. Bradford to overreact like this."

Ignoring the provocation, Danielle plunged her shaking fingers into Olivia's mouth, her voice breaking as she urged, “Good girl, just spit it out… Mommy's right here…"

Matthew couldn't stand what she was doing and grabbed Olivia from her arms. "Are you crazy? You're going to hurt her like that!"

Another sharp slap rang out as Danielle struck Matthew squarely across the face.

He clutched his cheek, stunned. "How could you hit me?"

The noise startled Olivia in his arms, and she suddenly gagged. A round glass marble rolled out of her mouth, thumping onto the carpet. She immediately broke into a heart-wrenching wail, her face flushing red.

Danielle shouted with reddened eyes, pointing at the marble on the floor. "Do you see that? That brat shoved a marble into your newborn daughter's mouth! Are you blind?"

She snatched Olivia back, holding her tightly as she glared at Meghan and Taylor with hatred.

Matthew's expression finally shifted, and he turned to pull Taylor toward him. "Taylor, apologize to Ms. Bradford and Olivia right now."

Taylor burst into tears, kicking and rolling on the floor. "Bad Daddy! You're being mean to me! I don't want you anymore!"

The two children's wails combined into a deafening chorus.

"Alright, Taylor is just a child," Matthew said. "He didn't know any better. There's no need for him to apologize."

He quickly pulled Taylor into his arms, patting his back with a worried expression. But when he turned to look at Danielle, his gaze turned cold.

"Kids can be rough when they play. Do you really need to make such a fuss? You're the adult here, Danielle. Try to show some maturity for Olivia's sake!"

His words tore through Danielle's heart. She pointed at the door and used all her strength to slap Matthew across the face once more.

"Get out!" she screamed. "Take your wife and son and get the hell out of here!"

Chapter 8

"Why do you keep hitting people?" Meghan snapped.

She raised her hand to strike back, but Matthew caught her wrist firmly.

"Enough!" he said.

He shoved her hand away and turned to Danielle, his eyes full of disappointment. "Danielle, what's gotten into you?"

He glanced at Meghan. "Let's step outside and give her a moment to calm down."

Matthew dragged the wailing Taylor along while guiding Meghan out of the room.

The moment the door clicked shut, Danielle's composure shattered, and she collapsed against the wall. Tears streamed down her face, filled with the bitterness of everything she had suffered.

Her phone chimed, and the screen lit up with a notification confirming the deposit from her shares transfer.

She wiped away her tears haphazardly and gently patted Olivia, sobbing in her arms, her eyes flashing with resolve.

Tomorrow, they could finally leave this mess behind for good.

…

Danielle spent the night making arrangements for Sandra and erased every trace of herself in the house. At dawn, she got into the cab she had booked, holding Olivia in her arms.

"The airport, please," she told the driver.

"Got it," the driver replied briskly.

Danielle called the person meeting them. "Sorry to keep you waiting. We're on our way."

The voice on the other end was soothing and warm. "Take your time. Be careful on the road."

Warmth had just spread through her chest when the sharp smell of ether hit her nostrils. She jerked her head up and saw the driver staring at Olivia through the rearview mirror, his gaze dark and menacing.

Before Danielle lost consciousness, she pulled Olivia tightly against her chest with all her strength.

…

When Danielle finally regained consciousness, the car sat parked outside an abandoned factory in the middle of nowhere.

In a clearing overgrown with weeds, Matthew stood with his back to her on the phone, cradling Olivia in his arms. Olivia was swaddled in his suit jacket, her small face crumpled in distress.

"She's here. Proceed as planned," Matthew said into the phone.

He turned after hanging up. When he saw Danielle awake, his scowl deepened. "You're up. Good. It saves me the trouble of explaining everything twice."

Danielle's wrists were raw from the coarse hemp rope as she struggled to sit up. "Matthew, what are you trying to do? Let go of my daughter!"

Matthew's voice was devoid of emotion. "Taylor's been kidnapped. The kidnappers demanded my biological child. They made a mistake and assumed Taylor was the only one."

Danielle's voice rose sharply, and her head spun. "Are you going to trade Olivia for him? She's barely a month old! She has a congenital coagulation disorder, and even a minor scratch could be fatal! Have you lost your mind?"

Matthew avoided her eyes. "It's the only way. The kidnappers insisted on seeing Olivia in person before releasing him. Taylor is six years old. He'll remember everything, and this kidnapping would ruin his life."

"What about Olivia?" Danielle asked. She lunged forward to grab her, but Matthew stepped aside.

His tone remained eerily calm. "She's too young to understand. It won't leave a mark on her."

At that moment, Meghan ran over, crying. Her hair was disheveled, and her makeup streaked. "Matthew! The kidnappers called again! They said if they don't see Olivia soon, they'll kill Taylor!"

When she spotted Danielle on the ground, she dropped to her knees with a thud and pleaded desperately, "Ms. Bradford, I'm begging you! Just this once! Let Olivia bring Taylor back to us, and I'll serve you for the rest of my life!"

Danielle kicked her away, her eyes blazing. "Get away from me! You failed to protect your child and got him kidnapped. Why should my daughter pay for your mistake?"

Matthew suddenly crouched down, his voice softening. "Danielle, I'm begging you. Taylor's innocent. Once we get him back, I'll find a way to save Olivia, and we can go back to how things were. Alright?"

Danielle looked at his hypocritical face and laughed as tears streamed down. "Do you really think we can go back to how things were? Are you asking me to trade my daughter's life for your illegitimate son and then live happily ever after with a monster like you? Matthew, what am I to you?"

Taylor's frantic screams echoed from the factory. "Daddy! I'm scared!"

Matthew's face darkened, and he turned toward the factory, holding Olivia in his arms.

Danielle threw herself at him in a frenzy, clutching his legs tightly with her bound hands. "Matthew! Try laying a hand on Olivia and see what happens! If you want Taylor back, go get him yourself. Aren't you his father? Trade yourself for him!"

Matthew kicked her off impatiently. "Stop it! Taylor is my son and the heir to the Gardner family. Nothing can happen to him!"

Danielle dug her nails into his pants, her voice hoarse. "Then isn't Olivia your daughter? She's your own flesh and blood too! How can you be this cruel?"

Matthew paused, his Adam's apple bobbing as he glanced back at her reddened eyes. "I'm sorry."

In the next instant, a needle pierced her neck.

"This is just a small dose of anesthetic. When you wake up, I promise Olivia will be perfectly fine," he said.

With that, he turned and walked toward the factory.

Danielle watched his retreating figure with Olivia in his arms. She wanted to stop him, but she couldn't lift even a finger. The drug took hold, and her world slowly faded to black.

Through the haze, she saw Matthew vanish into the shadows of the factory as Olivia let out a faint cry.

Chapter 9

When Danielle regained consciousness, the sharp smell of disinfectant made her cough violently.

The stark white ceiling blurred before her vision as Matthew's low and steady voice sounded beside her. "Are you awake? How are you feeling?"

"Olivia!" Danielle shouted.

She bolted upright, ignoring the sharp pull of the IV needle in her arm as she frantically threw back the covers and tried to get out of bed.

Matthew quickly restrained her. "Calm down. Olivia is fine. Meghan is watching over her in the next room."

Danielle shoved him away. "Get out!"

Matthew's expression darkened. "Danielle, I know you're angry, but Taylor's kidnapping was an emergency. I had no choice."

Danielle grabbed the glass from her bedside table and hurled it at him. Shards exploded near his feet.

"How can you sacrifice my daughter's life just because you had no choice? Get out, Matthew! I never want to see your face again!"

Impatience crept into Matthew's voice. "Do you really have to act like this? Ever since you had the baby, your moods have become increasingly unpredictable. Fine, I'm leaving. Call me when you've calmed down."

He slammed the door behind him, leaving her in total silence.

Before Danielle could collect herself, Meghan walked in holding an agreement, a confident smile on her lips. "Your daughter is in the nursery. Sign this, disappear from Matthew's life forever, and I'll let you take her."

Danielle took the papers, her fingers brushing over the clause that forbade her from ever appearing in Matthew's life again. When she looked up, her gaze was calm. "You staged your son's kidnapping, didn't you?"

Meghan arched an eyebrow, not bothering to deny it. "You're smarter than I thought. I just wanted you to realize that in his heart, Taylor and I are his real family. He saved Taylor and only cares about the two of us. You have no chance."

Danielle said nothing more. She flipped to the final page and signed her name.

When the nurse brought Olivia to her, Olivia's tiny body curled against her chest, and Danielle's composure finally broke. Her tears began to fall. This child was her entire world.

Meghan watched them and sighed. "I once thought he loved you too. Our first time was an accident, and he avoided me for months until I found out I was pregnant.

"But men always change. He may have loved you once, but now he loves me. Besides, I gave him a son. Your daughter could never compete.

"I know you look down on me, but you were just lucky to be born into a better family. If you were in my shoes, you might not have been any more virtuous."

Danielle offered a faint smile, not bothering to argue. Her throat burned, and even a single word felt like too much effort.

Before leaving, she went to the office to conduct one final audit of the Escort Project's production logs. She compiled all the evidence of Meghan substituting inferior materials and pocketing the difference into an encrypted file.

Justice would come, sooner or later. Meghan's actions would eventually catch up with her. Danielle looked forward to seeing if Matthew could still protect his greedy wife when that day arrived.

After boarding the plane with Olivia, Danielle sent Stefan a message. "Sorry for the delay. I promised to marry you, and I'll keep my word."

The reply came almost instantly. "Danielle, I've waited 12 years for this day. I'd wait even longer if I had to."

Her nose stung.

She scrolled and saw a post from Meghan on social media. The photo showed Taylor in a birthday hat, with Matthew and Meghan pressing kisses to his cheeks from either side.

The caption read, "Our birthday boy is seven years old! Mommy and Daddy will love you forever."

There was also a photo of the title deed to an amusement park. It was Matthew's birthday gift to Taylor.

A moment later, a message from Matthew popped up. "Danielle, something urgent came up at the office. I'll be home late."

Another message came through. "When I get back, I'll handle Olivia's birth certificate and find the best specialists for her condition."

Shortly after, a final message arrived. "I'll love you forever, Danielle."

Danielle scoffed and immediately blocked every point of contact for both him and Meghan.

As the plane pierced the clouds, she powered off her phone and lowered her head to kiss Olivia's soft hair.

She whispered, "Are you only thinking about Olivia's paperwork now? It's too late. Her last name is already Bradford. In the years ahead, she'll be calling the man you hate most 'Dad.' Matthew, I hope you're ready for that."