"No need to trouble yourself. I'll just look at them with Mrs. Cooper," she said, leading the children inside. With a smile, she turned to Lucy. "You don't mind, do you?"

The store clerk hesitated, instinctively reaching out to stop her. But in the end, she didn't dare. She could only watch as the woman walked in and sat beside Steven.

The older child, a boy, lit up with excitement. "Daddy!"

The younger girl immediately threw herself into Steven's arms. "Daddy! I missed you so much!" Her voice cracked as she burst into tears.

Steven's brows knitted tightly. He wanted to avoid the little girl, but she was so small, so soft, that in the end, he couldn't bring himself to push her away. Instead, he turned his anger to the children's mother. "What kind of parenting is this? Teaching your kids to call just anyone 'Daddy'?"

The woman, however, didn't seem the least bit upset. There was even a faint smile on her lips. Leisurely, she pulled the girl out of Steven's embrace and spoke gently. "Sharon, you made a mistake. He's not your daddy."

Tears streamed down the little girl's face. "But he's daddy! He's my daddy!"

"No, sweetie. He just looks a lot like your daddy. See that lady over there? She's his wife."

The little girl glanced from Steven to Lucy, confusion written all over her face. The boy, braver than his sister, stepped forward and looked Steven straight in the eye. "Are you really not my daddy?"

"I…"

Steven's mouth opened, but no words came out. He stared at the child in silence for a long moment, unable to bring himself to deny it.

"Shawn, don't be rude." The woman pulled her son back and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. Their father spoils them too much. They've never learned any manners."

Shawn. Sharon.

So these were Steven's children.

From the moment they walked in, Lucy had felt they looked oddly familiar. Especially the boy—his features bore an unmistakable resemblance to Steven. The girl took more after her mother.

At first, Lucy had doubts. Perhaps this was just another scheme from a woman with ulterior motives, trying to use a child to climb the social ladder. Maybe Steven had kept it from her, fearing she'd be upset.

But if that were the case, the children should have been twins or at least born in the same pregnancy. Yet the boy looked about five, while the girl seemed younger, maybe not even four. Two separate pregnancies.

Which meant Steven's affair wasn't an accident.

It wasn't some scheme.

It was deliberate.

He had fathered a son and, later, a daughter with another woman.

Lucy's voice was calm. "It seems their father really loves them. They adore him."

The woman smiled, genuinely pleased. "Oh yes, he spoils them terribly. When our eldest was born, he didn't know a thing about taking care of babies. But he learned bit by bit. By the time our daughter came along, he was a pro—practically a stay-at-home dad!"

"Is that so?"

"Yes. They say daughters are their fathers' lovers from a past life, and ours is no exception. She clings to him like glue, won't let anyone else hold her."

Lucy suddenly remembered.

Half a year into their marriage, Steven had left for an urgent business trip abroad—gone for a full month. That date… it must have been when the boy was born.

Then, a little over a year later, he had insisted on personally handling a trip to Africa. Again, one month. That must have been when the girl was born.

The only two times she hadn't traveled with him for work.

Looking back now, how strange. Why exactly one month, both times?

Because this woman had been in confinement after childbirth.

Lucy smiled. "Your children are adorable."

The woman beamed. "Aren't they? And everyone says they look just like their father. He's so handsome."

Lucy lowered her gaze, hiding her expression. "Yes, I heard their father looks a lot like my husband. He must be handsome too."

The woman's smile deepened, filled with unspoken meaning. "Oh, very much so. Otherwise, how could the kids mistake them?"

"Their father must love you very much, to have two children with you."

Shawn puffed up his chest. "Of course Daddy loves Mommy! He always brings her here. All of Mommy's earrings, rings, and necklaces come from this store. Even Sharon and I have pendants from here!"

Lucy's eyes flickered to the woman's hand.

There, on her left ring finger, sat a diamond ring.

One of the younger clerks immediately recognized it. "Oh! That's one of our designs! A custom order, actually!"

The store manager's face paled. She hurriedly clapped a hand over the clerk's mouth, warning her with a sharp glare. Don't say another word.

Lucy took it all in. Every expression, every reaction.

Now, she understood everything. Why this woman was also a VIP customer here.

Steven had been bringing her and the children here all along.

The younger clerk, likely new, had no idea about the entangled relationships, but the store manager knew. She had known all along.

Lucy let out a soft laugh.

Even the staff at a jewelry store had known about Steven's affair before she did.

The woman stood up with a smile. "Mrs. Cooper was here first, so she should choose first. I'll wait outside."

She turned and said softly, "Shawn, Sharon, let's go."

Shawn lingered, still staring at Steven with a trace of confusion in his eyes. Sharon, her eyes brimming with tears, looked back at every step until her mother finally picked her up and carried her away.

The VIP room fell into an eerie silence. Even the once-enthusiastic store clerks stood frozen, too afraid to utter a word.

Breaking the silence, Lucy smiled. "Why is everyone so quiet? Am I that terrifying?"

The store manager let out an awkward chuckle. "Of course not. We just worry these styles might not be to your liking."

"I like them. I'll take this one. Do you have a plain band for me to try on for size?"

"Yes, absolutely. I'll bring it right away."

The clerks quickly filed out, leaving only Steven and Lucy in the room.

The stillness was almost tangible—so quiet that even a needle dropping to the floor would have been deafening.

Bzzz—

Steven's phone vibrated.

He didn't move.

A few seconds later, it rang outright.

Lucy, flipping through a catalog in boredom, spoke without looking up. "Why aren't you answering? What if it's something important from work?"

After a brief hesitation, Steven picked up his phone and stood. "I'll take this outside. I'll be back soon."

"Mm."

He left quickly.

Almost the moment the door shut behind him, Lucy's own phone vibrated.

A text from an unknown number.

[Mrs. Cooper, come to the underground parking lot. You'll find what you want to know.]

She didn't take the elevator.

Instead, she walked down the stairs to basement level one.

From a distance, she could already hear Steven's voice, sharp with anger. "How many times have I told you? Don't show up in front of Lucy. Do you not understand?"

A woman's voice, choked with tears, answered. "I understand. But the children don't. They just miss their daddy. Especially Sharon—she's been crying so much her voice is hoarse. Do you know how much that hurts me as a mother?"

Sharon didn't understand the undercurrents between the adults. She only knew that her parents seemed to be fighting.

With a wail, Sharon burst into tears. "Daddy, don't fight with Mommy! It's all my fault! It's because I'm bad…"

Her sobs doused Steven's anger like a sudden downpour.

Kneeling, he carefully pulled her into his arms, using the softest part of his sleeve to wipe her tears. "It's not your fault, Sharon. Don't cry."

Shawn asked outright, "Dad, why did you say you don't know us? Is it because of that lady with you? Who is she?"

Steven took a deep breath. "I have my reasons."

Shawn, stubborn and unwilling to let things go, pressed further. "You're always not home with us and Mommy. Is it because you're with her? Is she a mistress?"

His response was immediate. "She's not."

His tone toward the woman turned cold. "Where did he learn that word? Did you teach him?"

Tears spilled down the woman's face as she covered her mouth. "Shawn and Sharon have grown up without their father around. Their teachers say they're more sensitive than other children. Is it so strange that they understand things beyond their years?"

At that, Sharon's cries grew louder. "Daddy, the kids at school say I don't have a dad. I tell them I do, but they've never seen you, so they don't believe me. No matter what I say, they just laugh at me…"

Shawn didn't cry, but his voice tightened with emotion. "Daddy, I learned the word from TV. There was a kid whose father was never home because he had another woman outside. The show called her a mistress."

Steven's expression shifted.

The anger in his eyes dulled, replaced by something heavier. Guilt.

From the shadows, Lucy observed it all, taking in every flicker of emotion on his face.

No matter what he felt for that woman—love, convenience, obligation—the children were undeniably his.

And as a father, how could he not be moved by their accusations?

Sure enough, Steven crouched down, pulling both children into his arms. His voice softened. "Daddy's been busy with work, that's why I haven't been around. But next time there's a school event, I'll be there. I promise."

Shawn eyed him suspiciously. "Really?"

Steven nodded firmly. "Really. I'll make sure all your classmates know you have a daddy."

Sharon clung to his neck, rocking side to side. "Daddy, come with Mommy too! The other kids' parents go together. And Daddy, you have to hold Mommy when we play games!"

Lucy lifted her head slightly.

She wanted to hear his response.

Steven didn't even hesitate. "Okay, Daddy and Mommy will go together."

Sharon beamed. "And Daddy has to hold Mommy!"

A warm smile spread across Steven's face. "Alright, Daddy will hold Mommy."

Lucy had heard enough.

She turned and left.

Back at the jewelry store, the VIP room was empty.

She picked up her bag and walked out.

The store manager noticed and hurried after her. "Mrs. Cooper, have you decided on the rings?"

Lucy smiled. "From now on, don't call me Mrs. Cooper."

The manager let out a nervous chuckle. "But… you are Mrs. Cooper."

Bzzz—

Her phone vibrated again.

The same unknown number.

[The ring you picked? Steven already promised it to me. The designer will engrave our initials on the inside. It's lasting and unchangeable, just like what between me and Steven. My initials will be on his ring. We have two children already. Sooner or later, Steven will leave you for us.]

Lucy typed only five words in reply.

[I don't want him anymore.]

Stepping into the home she had lived in for six years, Lucy felt an eerie sense of detachment, as if she had stepped into a distant past that no longer belonged to her.

But she had no time to dwell on sentimentality. In half a month, Camille would arrange for the accident at sea. There was still much to prepare.

First, a ticket.

If she booked a flight under her name, Steven would undoubtedly track her down.

So, she grabbed her ID and headed out.

As she passed through the living room, her mother-in-law was scrolling through her phone. Out of the corner of her eye, Lucy caught a glimpse of the screen—it was filled with children's toys.

She was probably picking out gifts for Shawn and Sharon for Children's Day.

Noticing her passing by, the older woman quickly locked her screen. "Lucy, are you heading out?"

Lucy nodded. "Just running some errands."

"Why don't you wait for Steven to come home? He can drive you."

"No need. He has more important things to handle. I wouldn't want to trouble him."

Right now, he was likely enjoying domestic bliss with his beloved wife and children.

A son and a daughter—the perfect little family.

They were the real family.

Lucy hailed a cab to the local office and handed over her documents. "Hello, I'd like to change my name."

The clerk glanced at her, then gently advised, "Miss, are you sure? Changing your name means updating your bank accounts, phone records, academic certificates—everything. It's quite a hassle. Besides, your name is already quite lovely."

Lucy smiled. "Please, just process it."

Seeing her resolve, the clerk nodded. "Alright. Here's a form—please fill it out."

She completed it carefully, pausing at the section for "New Name."

After a moment's thought, she wrote: Alina Eira

With her new identity, she would be far away from Steven, from all their memories.

Once the name change was processed, she immediately applied for a passport under her new identity. Then, using it, she booked a flight to Iceland.

When the "Ticket Purchased Successfully" confirmation appeared on her phone, a wave of relief washed over her.

It was finally coming to an end.

Turns out, giving up wasn't that hard after all.

By the time she returned home, Steven's voice was thundering through the house. "Keep searching! If anything happens to Lucy, you'll answer to me!"

The entire villa was eerily silent.

His rage hadn't subsided. "Why are you all just standing there? Go! Find her!"

His mother tried to calm him. "Getting worked up won't help. It's a lawful society. Nothing bad will happen."

"Mom, I don't care! I'm going to look for her myself."

Just as his staff rushed out, they ran straight into Lucy.

Leading the charge was Steven's assistant.

Seeing her, the man nearly wept with relief. "Madam, where have you been? Mr. Cooper has been losing his mind!"

The household staff chimed in. "Yes, Madam! If you hadn't come back, he would have turned Hartemis City upside down looking for you!"

Before Lucy could respond, she was pulled into a crushing embrace.

Steven's grip was suffocating, his arms so tight around her that she could barely breathe.

"Lucy, where did you go? I searched everywhere, the jewelry store, home—Mom said you went out, but you didn't tell me anything. Were you trying to scare me to death?"

Lucy pushed against him. "Let go."

"I won't!" His possessiveness was absolute. "Lucy, what's wrong? You've been acting strange lately…"

"It's just hormones. Mood swings."

"That's not right. Your cycle isn't due until the end of the month."

"It came early."

Steven finally exhaled, loosening his hold. "Lucy, next time you go anywhere, just tell me. I'll go with you. Don't ever disappear like this again."

She turned her face away, unwilling to meet his gaze. "I just needed some air. It's nothing."

Her mother-in-law, watching from the side, sneered, "Exactly. She's a grown woman. What could possibly happen to her? You don't need to hover over her every second—there are other people who need your attention, too."

Steven frowned. "Mom, stop."

Lucy let out a soft chuckle. "She's right. You should focus on your priorities. No need to keep me company."

"How could I not? I promised I'd always be with you."

She tilted her head, eyes glinting. "Then how about this—on June 1st, when you go on that business trip, I'll go with you?"

Steven stiffened.

He let out a dry laugh. "Didn't you say you didn't want to go?"

"I changed my mind. Thought I'd go to Maldove and watch fish."

His expression turned unnatural. "Lucy, I—"

"I'm joking." She laughed lightly. "I already said I wouldn't go. Focus on your work."

She pushed him away and walked inside.

Behind her, she heard him sigh in visible relief.

"Lucy," he called after her, "our wedding anniversary is in two weeks. What do you want? I need to make it up to you."

"I don't want anything."

"That's not an option. It's our most important day."

She smiled faintly. "Didn't you already buy me a pair of rings? Where are they? Let me see."

Silence.

He had bought them.

But in the end, they weren't for her.

They were for the mother of his two children.

Just then, her phone rang.

Lucy answered. "Hey, Camille."

"Lucy, I've arranged the rescue boat for you. Everything is secure—you don't have to worry."

She wasn't far from Steven. And he had heard every word.

His brows furrowed. "Rescue boat? What rescue boat?"