Chapter 1

"I was injured in combat and lost my ability to have children. Whose baby is in your belly?"

At the party, my military officer husband Marcus stood before everyone and slammed a disability report in my face.

I smiled and glanced at the woman standing behind him. Everything became clear.

To marry his dead comrade's wife, he was willing to falsely accuse me.

"Marcus, remember what you said today. This child has absolutely nothing to do with you."

I tore up that report in front of everyone and left the banquet.

Seven years later, Marcus came looking for me, wanting to take away my genius son.

My son said coldly:

"You lost your fertility a long time ago. How could you possibly father someone as amazing as me?"

The meeting room was so quiet you could hear the sycamore leaves falling outside the window.

The few old subordinates who came with Marcus all lowered their heads, pretending to review the documents in their hands.

Marcus slammed the contract on the table, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Andy's thin wrist, dragging him toward the door without a word.

Just then, a calloused hand gripped Marcus's wrist in a vise-like hold.

I used all my strength, my nails digging deep into the skin of his wrist.

Marcus looked up and met my eyes.

The subordinates behind him also raised their heads.

Time seemed to freeze.

I saw something crack in Marcus's eyes, followed by shock, then a look of almost absurd scrutiny.

"Laura...Parker?"

The people behind him gasped.

"Laura Parker? The Colonel's wife who cheated seven years ago?"

"Didn't she disappear at the train station? How could she...?"

I knew what shocked them.

When I left this place seven years ago, all I had was a train ticket.

Later, news spread that a pregnant young woman had disappeared at the train station.

Everyone thought it was me.

Including Marcus.

"Laura? You're alive? How dare you show your face here?"

I ignored him.

Taking advantage of his momentarily loosened grip, I pulled Andy back to my side.

There was already a red ring around Andy's wrist.

I crouched down and gently rubbed the glaring red mark.

"Does it hurt?"

Andy shook his head, but his eyes remained fixed on Marcus.

Only then did I straighten up. My tone must have been calm—at least I couldn't hear any emotion in it.

"You must have mistaken me for someone else. I'm Victoria Reed, Chief Technical Engineer of Deep Blue Marine Salvage Company."

"Victoria Reed?"

The soldier behind Marcus unconsciously repeated the name.

"Yes."

Before I could finish, the meeting room door was pushed open again.

When Vivian rushed in, her forehead was beaded with sweat, as if she'd hurried over.

She first glanced at Marcus, then her gaze swept over me, her pupils contracting ever so slightly.

"Laura?"

She stepped forward, trying to take my hand, but I sidestepped to avoid her.

Her hand froze in mid-air, then she quickly smiled again.

"It really is you! Where have you been all these years? We were all so worried..."

Her eyes reddened as she spoke, her acting skills more refined than seven years ago.

"You left so suddenly back then. We thought...thought you couldn't handle it anymore. When we heard about the train station incident, Marcus was so upset he couldn't sleep for days. It's good that you're back now. No matter what, it's good that you're alive..."

Her words were clever, each one reminding everyone present.

That I was once a despicable woman, a wife who embarrassed her husband, a burden who worried everyone.

The disgust in Marcus's eyes deepened.

"Laura, I don't care what you call yourself now. Take that child and leave."

I glanced at Marcus and Vivian standing close together, then looked at the secretary who'd been standing by the door, not daring to make a sound.

"Make an announcement."

My voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the meeting room could hear clearly.

"Deep Blue Company is willing to cooperate with the military, but there's one condition—the cooperation representative must be changed. When you change representatives, we'll start negotiations."

"Laura!"

Marcus's face turned ashen. He took a menacing step forward, his presence intimidating.

"Do you know what kind of situation this is? How dare you make a scene here?! Take this bast—"

"The ones who should leave are you."

I calmly cut off his crude insult, took Andy's hand, and walked back to my desk step by step.

The leather chair was wide and solid. I sat down calmly and met his furious gaze.

"Since you're seeking technical cooperation, the military should at least send someone..."

I tilted my head slightly.

"Someone clear-headed who understands basic courtesy. Don't you agree, Colonel?"

My assistant was so scared she barely dared to breathe, looking from Marcus to me, completely at a loss.

"Show them out."

I said.

Andy stayed in the office waiting for me until after work.

I took his hand and walked out of the office.

As we reached the first-floor lobby, two figures emerged from the shadows on the side.

Marcus stood there, his military jacket draped over his arm.

Vivian followed behind him.

They blocked the path between the glass doors and us. Behind them, the sky was gradually darkening and streetlights were beginning to flicker on.

"Laura, you have two choices. Either let that child come with me for a blood comparison. Until the results come out, neither of you is going anywhere."

"Or, I don't mind making you, your man, and this bastard truly disappear this time."