On the night I discovered my husband, Charles Lockheart's affair with the secretary, Whitney Keaton, both of them ended up dying in a fire. I was left with a pair of twins.

Despite my family's objections, I decided to adopt the twins. For the next 18 years, I put in all of my resources, blood, sweat, and tears to raise them. Finally, they are accepted into Hallwood College, a globally prestigious college.

But on the day the twins get into Hallwood College, Charles and Whitney, who are supposedly dead, make a shocking appearance before us.

Whitney links arms with Charles, a wide smile on her face.

"As expected of our biological sons! They really are amazing for getting accepted into Hallwood College! It's all thanks to you raising our sons that we got to spend so many years in our honeymoon phase!"

Charles wears a victorious and smug look. He doesn't feel guilty in the slightest for faking his death.

"Let's get a divorce, Brittany. Now is the best time for the twins to be reunited with Whitney and me."

Everyone turns to look at me, waiting for me to have an emotional breakdown.

But I remain cool and composed as I reply icily, "What a coincidence. I feel the same way."

"Hallwood College! It's Hallwood College!"

I had just gotten back from a business trip when I heard my sons cheering in the yard. The moment I walked in, they ran over excitedly and showed me the acceptance letters.

"Mom, it's the acceptance letters from Hallwood! We both got in! And into the majors we wanted!"

I was stunned. They had already received offers from various prestigious colleges, but not from their dream school, Hallwood College. Now that they had finally gotten in, I was so happy for them.

"That's wonderful. What do you want for dinner tonight? I'll cook for you."

My sons excitedly named dish after dish, arguing over who would help out in the kitchen. After a lively dinner, they pulled me in for some photos and posted them on social media.

My older son, Ethan Lockheart, loved photography and had a large following online. Whenever he posted something, it would gain a lot of engagement.

His younger twin, Ryan Lockheart, scrolled through his phone and said, "Mom, everyone's complimenting you! They're saying Ethan must be lying—you look like our sister, not our mom."

Ethan laughed. "They're not wrong. Mom's a natural beauty. If she wasn't the CEO of a company, she could've been an international superstar."

Watching my sons tease me, I felt comforted and unexpectedly a little teary-eyed.

18 years earlier, my husband, Charles Lockheart, had died in a fire along with his secretary. He had left behind two illegitimate sons and a mountain of chaos.

The business problems were manageable. After all, my family and the Lockhearts were prominent families in Westbrook. But the two kids…

My parents had insisted I return home and sever all ties with the Lockheart family. But I refused. I chose to raise the boys and acquired Lockheart Group all on my own.

People said I was blinded by love. Even after my husband cheated on me, I still devoted myself to taking care of his sons and his company.

I never responded to the gossip. I simply focused on raising the boys well.

In the blink of an eye, they had reached the age for college.

Ethan's post was clearly visible to more than just his followers. Charles' parents, Martin Lockheart and Denise Jones, saw it too. They called soon after.

"Brittany, Ethan and Ryan are so impressive. But why didn't you tell us first? Martin and I had to learn about our grandsons online."

Hearing Denise go on and on, my mood cooled.

Over the years, Martin and Denise had treated me like the family's benefactor, praising my loyalty and devotion. They were careful not to offend me, as if I might stop them from seeing their grandsons. But as Ethan and Ryan grew older, there was always a sense of urgency hidden beneath their kindness. Now, perhaps, they could no longer hide it.

Martin took the phone. "Brittany, you've worked hard raising Ethan and Ryan alone all these years. Let Denise and me handle their 18th birthday and college acceptance parties in a few days—"

"It's fine," I interrupted. "They're my sons. When it comes to moments this important, of course I'll handle it myself."

Maybe I misheard, but I thought I heard a third person on the other end. That person let out a soft scoff, quiet yet unmistakable.

Martin didn't press further. Unusually agreeable, he said, "Alright. As you wish."

I hung up. Then, I began preparing for the celebration three days later—Ethan and Ryan's college acceptance and 18th birthday party. It would be one of the most important moments of their lives. I wanted to give them the grand celebration they deserved.

The party was going to be held at a private estate halfway up the hills. It was formal and lavish. From the tableware to the wine, every detail was carefully selected by me.

Wanting as many people as possible to witness this moment, I invited every influential name in Westbrook.

Late that night, after I confirmed once more that the party would be perfect, the tension in my lips finally eased, replaced by a faint smile.

I was looking forward to the next day.

At the estate, along the long banquet table, Martin sat at the head, while Denise sat beside him. I took Ethan and Ryan and sat next to Denise. Behind us were the rest of the Lockheart relatives.

Though Charles was Martin and Denise's only child, Martin's brothers had large families. But they were all good-for-nothing, spoiled brats. Otherwise, the Lockhearts' huge empire would never have ended up in my hands.

Among them, Charles' cousin, Harold, had some ambition. But he was foolish and had no business sense.

He raised his glass toward me. "Brittany, you're truly amazing. You raised Charles and Whitney's kids and got them all the way to Hallwood. That takes real vision and generosity."

I didn't respond, while Martin merely called out, "Harold," in a mild but warning tone.

Denise held Ethan and Ryan like treasured jewels, reluctant to let go. "You both look so much like your father. Just as handsome, and just as outstanding."

Harold didn't get the reaction he'd wanted from me and refused to let go. "Hah! Until today, people at the company still say Charles and Whitney looked more like a real couple. Who knows who the boys really take after?"

From beginning to end, my expression remained calm. They talked about me as if the woman whose husband cheated and left behind two illegitimate sons wasn't me at all.

Seeing how indifferent I was, Harold lost his temper. "Brittany Morrison, let's be honest. Why are you, an outsider, hogging the Lockheart family fortune? Yes, Ethan and Ryan were young before, and you used them to pressure Uncle Martin. But now that they're adults, you should return the assets to the Lockhearts."

I looked toward Martin.

He nodded in tacit approval. "Harold has a point. Ethan and Ryan are grown up now. They should hold some assets and shares. Brittany, you've worked hard all these years. It's time to rest. Hand the company over to Harold. He needs the experience."

The excuse was too perfect.

When I first returned, the Lockheart family had been in a financial crisis. I had swallowed my pride, using my connections to secure investments. That was how we survived.

Now, Lockheart Group was thriving. Ethan and Ryan had minds of their own. The Lockhearts realized they could no longer control me, so they wanted to push me out completely.

Did they really think I was a pushover?

I traced the rim of my wineglass. "I agree, Martin. Well, I've already set aside shares for Ethan and Ryan. They'll receive them after their graduation. As for who runs the company… Didn't you hear? At yesterday's shareholders' meeting, I was unanimously re-elected as CEO of Lockheart Group."

Harold waited, but when I didn't mention giving him anything, his face twisted with anger. "What about me? Am I worse than those two brats? You're just a Morrison. How dare you act all high and mighty in the Lockheart family?

"I'm telling you, your good days are numbered. Soon, you'll be begging us to treat you better. After all, the Morrison family doesn't even want you anymore!"

After Harold finished smugly, even Martin, who was trembling with anger at the news of my re-election, smiled faintly.

Yes. The Morrison family. I couldn't go back. Years ago, I had broken ties with my family to raise the boys myself. They had since emigrated overseas.

I lowered my head, as if his words had struck a nerve.

Holding his glass of champagne, Harold stood up, passed by me with a sneer, and went off to socialize.

The party was about to begin. More guests filled the hall. Everyone admired Ethan and Ryan, complimenting their handsome looks and intelligence, and asked me to share my parenting wisdom.

With an arm around each son, both of whom stood a head taller than me, I felt steady. I slowly walked up to the second floor and cleared my throat. "Ethan and Ryan's accomplishments come from their own hard work…"

A voice suddenly cut in. "With sons this outstanding, of course it's thanks to their parents' excellent genes!"

At the entrance of the banquet hall, Charles walked in with his secretary, Whitney Keaton, on his arm.

The room instantly erupted. "Didn't Charles and Whitney die in that fire? I remember they were burned to a crisp. Is that really them?"

"But that's definitely Mr. Lockheart! What's going on?"

The calmest people in the room, besides myself, were the Lockhearts. As expected, they had planned this together.

From the second floor, I met Charles' eyes. His lips curved into a smile, his gaze brimming with undisguised arrogance. "Hello, Brittany. Long time no see."

Whitney put on a pitiful expression. "Brittany, thank you for raising our sons all these years. After the fire, it took us so long to recover. Thanks to you, our family of four can finally reunite."

As they spoke, they walked upstairs, their eyes glued to Ethan and Ryan. I patted my sons on the shoulders, and they immediately stepped aside.

Whitney had been clinging to Charles, gushing about how handsome the twins were and how much they resembled her.

But seeing their reaction, she froze. "Kids, I'm your real mother. I gave birth to you. We have a connection. You can feel it."

She then shot me a glare. "Has someone been speaking badly of me? You should know, the only people in this world who would never harm you are your biological parents."

Charles stepped forward. "Your mother's right. Ethan, Ryan, come here. Let me take a good look at you!"

I moved in front of Ethan and Ryan. "Charles Lockheart, you two scumbags really have no shame."

They clearly hadn't expected me to be so blunt. For a moment, they were speechless. "You… How can you be so vulgar?"

I rolled my eyes impatiently. "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time."

Charles sighed. "Brittany, I know I did you wrong. But what Whitney and I have is true love. You're the heiress of the Morrison family. You can have any man or any children you want. Our marriage was a family alliance. I didn't know what real love was until I met Whitney. But in families like ours, we don't even get a say in our own marriages.

"You can't even return to the Morrison family now. You should understand how precious family is. Let our family of four reunite and be together. Brittany, let's divorce."

I looked at him coldly. The Charles buried in my memories had been gentle, modest, and attentive to me. He was practically perfect. Even my closest friends had said he was a good husband.

So, when I caught him in bed with Whitney, I had almost believed that he had been set up. But before I could get to the bottom of things, they had both "died".

Now, he had the audacity to brazenly use my years of sacrifice as justification for me to step aside.

I let out a slow breath. "Where's the divorce agreement?"

Charles froze. But Whitney reacted quickly, as if she were afraid I might change my mind. She pulled the documents from a lawyer's briefcase behind her and shoved them into my hands.

Charles had already signed them. With a few swift strokes, I signed my name as well.

After a brief silence, the room erupted again. People whispered that I had gone mad, that I had spent half my life working so hard only to throw it all away.

Overjoyed, Whitney and Charles reached out to hug Ethan and Ryan. But I stopped them again.

Anger flickered on Charles' face. "Brittany, what are you doing? You said you'd let our family reunite!"

Years of pent-up resentment surged up at once. The moment I had waited for had finally arrived.

A faint smile tugged at my lips as I stepped forward. "That's right. But Ethan and Ryan aren't your children."