It was Nicholas who arrived just in time, holding our son’s hand and they hugged me tightly. They told me that no matter what others thought, I would always be the one they loved the most. At that moment, my broken heart felt warmth again and their comfort filled me with hope.

So, I stayed at home full-time and took care of them with all my love.

But I never imagined that the people who gave me warmth were the ones who pushed me into pain. And the two people I trusted most hurt me so badly for the same woman.

Tears fell fast and I ran home without thinking. When I opened the door, I saw the family photos hanging on the wall. Over the past five years, every wedding anniversary, photographers and makeup artists came to our house to take family portraits.

Each time, Nicholas would stand on my left and say with loving eyes as he said, “Lily, no matter what happens, I will always love you.”

Meanwhile, Damon would stand on my right and hug me tightly, saying, “Mom, no matter what happens, I will always love you.”

I used to feel happy just looking at these photos. But now, they made me feel sick. As I started to feel nauseous in front of the photos, I heard footsteps behind me.

“Mom, are you okay?” Damon asked as he ran to hug me.

Nicholas also came quickly and gently rubbed my back.

“Lily, are you feeling sick? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

At that moment, their concern looked so real. But I couldn’t feel any warmth anymore.

I quietly stepped away from them and said coldly, “It’s nothing. Just some stomach pain.”

They looked worried and quickly went to make a meal for my stomach.

On the other hand, I turned around and went to the study. I turned on the computer that had been unused for a long time. As I expected, I found many photos in a private folder of the three of them traveling together.

In the photos, Nicholas and Damon hugged the woman in the middle and kissed her face from both sides. That woman looked very familiar. She was my half-sister, Abigail Lovett.

She was also the one Nicholas and Damon truly cared about.

Tears ran down my face and my heart ached deeply. After that, I noticed something in the folder. It was a kidney transplant form.

My name was listed as the donor, Lily Lovett. And the receiver was listed as Abigail. I slowly touched the scar on my abdomen.

Even though years had passed, it suddenly felt fresh, like it was bleeding again. I let out a weak laugh. My own son had tricked me into giving my kidney to another woman.

After a long time, I wiped my tears and calmly sent an application to the company that had invited me to work abroad many times. They replied quickly and sent me a plane ticket for three days later. I copied all the files from the computer to my phone.

Nicholas. Damon. This time, I was the one who didn’t want you.

The next morning, I woke up to find that Nicholas had already taken Damon to school. My favorite breakfast was on the table, just like always. But this time, I didn’t take a single bite. I gave it all to the stray cats outside.

As I stepped back into the house, Nicholas’ secretary called, saying he had an asthma attack and needed his medicine. I hesitated, then picked up the divorce papers and the medicine bottle I had prepared the night before and headed to the banquet hall.

As soon as I walked in, I saw Nicholas, who was supposed to be sick, drinking and smiling with people around him. And standing next to him was Abigail, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time.

When he saw me, Nicholas’s eyes showed panic, then he quickly walked toward me.

“Lily, don’t misunderstand. The hotel’s medical staff just gave me the medicine.”

“I made you worry. I promise I won’t do it again … ”

Before he could finish, I threw the medicine bottle in my hand straight into the trash can. Without further ado, I took out the blank divorce agreement I had brought and handed it to him.

“It’s fine. The property manager just said the owner’s signature is needed for the air conditioner cleaning.”

Nicholas looked confused for a moment, but still signed it without reading.

After he signed, I turned and walked away with the divorce agreement.

Abigail spoke to me in a calm voice, “Lily, it’s been a long time.”

“Don’t leave so quickly. You probably don’t know yet. Today is the celebration banquet for the company’s listing. You came at the right time, so please stay and celebrate with us.”

“After all, this company is Aunt Winona’s years of hard work.”

I stopped for a moment when she mentioned the company. This was the last thing my mother left me before she passed away. If the accident five years ago hadn’t happened, I would have to be the one hosting this party ...

A sharp pain suddenly hit my chest and a waiter led me to a seat in the center of the front row.

Soon, the celebration started. Abigail, dressed in a luxurious gown, walked onto the stage slowly with Nicholas beside her. She picked up the microphone.

“Let’s warmly celebrate the successful listing of Lovett Group. Now, please enjoy our company’s tenth-anniversary video.”

As soon as she finished speaking, my loud scream echoed through the entire hall.

The large screen around the venue started playing a video. It showed several rough hands grabbing my skin and my body was covered with bruises.

The man’s face in the video was blurred, but my bare skin and the blood were clearly shown. Anyone watching would think I was some kind of ‘slut’.

At that moment, the nightmare I had buried in my memory came back with full force. My whole body trembled as I sat frozen. Suddenly, a crowd of reporters came running in with their cameras. Countless flashes shone straight at my face.

“Mrs. Atwood, we heard that five years ago, you went to the hospital due to having too many partners, which caused your kidneys and uterus to be removed. Do you feel you are suffering the results of your own actions?”

“Mrs. Atwood, your mother started Lovett Group to support women being independent and respectful. But your appearance in this video is the complete opposite of her beliefs. Aren’t you afraid she passed away with sadness?”

“Mrs. Atwood, do you still have the courage to face Mr. Atwood and your son? If I were you, I would have ended my life already. A woman like you isn’t worthy of being a wife or mother!”

***

As they shouted, many people ran at me and pushed me down.

Someone even pulled up my shirt, exposing the scar on my stomach.

“Oh no, how disgusting. Look at that ugly scar!”

“Hurry, take a photo. Everyone needs to see what happens when you don’t respect yourself!”

Shame covered my whole body. I clutched my clothes tightly and gasped in pain.

But they didn’t stop. Some even started a live stream, pointing the camera at me and asking loudly:

“Mrs. Atwood, you’re not answering. Do you feel too ashamed?”

Many cameras kept taking pictures of me while I lay there helpless. Just as I was about to give up, two loud voices came from behind.

“Get out! Move! Who gave you the right to film her, you monsters!”

Nicholas shouted and rushed over. He took off his suit and wrapped it around me.

Damon, who should have been at school, stood in front of me with his small arms spread wide.

“Bad people, you bad people! I won’t let you hurt my mother!”

Then Nicholas and Damon pushed away the reporters, held me tightly and walked me out of the building.

As soon as we reached the hotel entrance, many security guards came over. Abigail followed them, looking worried.

“Lily, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not managing everything well. Someone changed the video.”

“I was busy calling the guards just now, so I came late. Are you alright? How could they do something like that to you … ”

She tried to check my wounds, but I screamed the moment she touched me.

Nicholas was afraid I might hurt Abigail, so he quickly told the medical team to give me a sedative.

The medicine worked fast. I lost consciousness and fell into his arms. When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital room.

I heard a conversation outside the door.

“Dad, everything you planned today went well. Mom’s reputation is completely destroyed. She’ll never be able to fight Aunt Abigail for the company again!”

“But should we still pay those reporters to spread the video they filmed today?”

Nicholas paused, but then answered firmly, “Yes, send it out.”

“Her name is already ruined. One more blow won’t change anything. Later, we can treat her better to make up for it.”

Hearing this, I felt like I had been hit by lightning. Now, I understood why Nicholas had asked me to bring the medicine. It was all part of his plan.

Nicholas wanted to destroy the name of the original heir and make things easier for his lover.

Tears came out of my eyes just as Nicholas walked in. He gently wiped my tears.

“Lily, it’s over now. Don’t worry. I’ve already told someone to destroy today’s video. It won’t be shared.”

Damon’s eyes were red as he held me and cried.

“Mom … Mom, I’ll drink milk every day from now on. I’ll protect you. No one will hurt you again!”

Looking at the way both of them acted in front of me, I gave a bitter smile. But the truth was that the ones who hurt me and made me feel this pain … were you two.

I closed my eyes in sadness. They thought I was tired and unwell, so they stayed beside me, one on each side. Soon, the medicine took effect again and I fell asleep.

When I opened my eyes again, it was already late at night. But Nicholas and Damon were no longer with me. I quietly got out of bed and opened the door. Across the hall, I saw Abigail leaning against Nicholas in another hospital room.

“Nicholas, stay with me a little longer tonight. I’m so happy. I can’t believe everyone finally sees me as the general manager,” Abigail said.

Nicholas smiled and pinched her nose gently.

“Abigail, I told you. As long as you’re happy, I’ll do anything for you.”

“But being happy for just a while isn’t enough,” she said.

“My son and I want to stay with you all night.”

Then, Nicholas pressed her down on the bed and they kissed for a long time before stopping.

Abigail covered her face, blushing. “Nicholas, you’re so bad. Damon is still here!”

“What’s the problem? He’s seen it before.”

Damon agreed as he said, “That’s right! It’s normal for Mom and Dad to be close!”

After that, he turned on his phone and took a picture. The three of them smiled like a happy family.

I stood in the shadows and tears kept falling from my eyes.

Even if I had already known the truth, it still broke my heart to hear my own child, the baby I carried for ten months, call someone else ‘Mom’.