After hanging up the phone, Naya took a deep breath. In just two more weeks, she would be gone from this place, leaving Cesar behind for good.

When she got home, Abigail was already sound asleep. Her rosy cheeks were dotted with dimples, a picture of peace and innocence.

Looking at her, a flicker of sorrow passed through Naya’s heart. If her own child had lived, she would’ve been just as lovely.

Just then, a message came in from an unknown number. She opened it, it was a video. In it, Cesar and Zora were tangled together, kissing passionately.

Before Naya could react, a follow-up text arrived.

[Ms. Steele, I’m sure you’ve seen what just happened. You also know Abigail is my biological daughter, and Cesar is my lawful husband. I hope you’ll know your place and leave Cesar soon.]

Naya stared at the message, the smugness practically oozing from the screen. It wasn’t just a warning, it was Zora’s way of staking her claim.

But as she thought about the five years she’d wasted, a bitter wave of resentment rose in her chest.

She replied without hesitation, [If it’s so righteous and official, why are you still hiding like a coward?]

Then, without waiting for a response, Naya switched off her phone.

She had no interest in sparring with the self-proclaimed queen, let alone falling into her carefully laid trap.

It wasn’t until five days later that Cesar finally came home.

During that time, he had sent Naya multiple messages claiming to be away on business. Naya, suppressing her disgust, had replied from time to time.

It was for no other reason than to disappear before he noticed.

Cesar was known for being fiercely competitive. He could discard others without a second thought, but he would never tolerate being the one left behind.

That was why Naya had decided to fake her own death.

Perhaps sensing something off, Cesar returned bearing gifts: a delicate dress and a pair of pink diamond earrings.

“Naya, why don’t you try them on?” he said, crouching like a gentleman to help her put on the earrings.

His sincerity might have moved her, if she hadn’t known about the gifts. Just three minutes earlier, Zora had posted a video flaunting her luxury.

In it, she wore a full pink diamond necklace and a custom-made designer gown. Tossed carelessly at her feet, clearly labeled as gifts, were the same earrings and dress Cesar had just brought home.

Naya watched him, amused by the performance.

Cesar seemed to pick up on her mood. He gently set the earrings down and reached out, preparing to pull her into a hug.

But before he could, Abigail ran into his arms. “Daddy! It’s been so long. I missed you so much.”

Snuggling into his neck, she took a deep breath. “Why do you smell like Zora? Ohhh, I get it. You’ve been with her these past few days, haven’t you?”

Her innocent remark landed like a blade. Cesar stiffened. The air turned cold with awkward silence.

But Abigail, oblivious, went on cheerfully, “Zora always smells so nice. I love her the most! Daddy, when are you going to marry her so she can be my mom?”

Whether it was out of rage or shame, Cesar simply set Abigail down.

Trying to offer both comfort and an explanation, he said, “Abigail, you’re Naya’s child. In this life, only Naya can be your mother. No one else.”

He glanced at Naya. “As for the perfume on me… Zora works as my assistant. I must’ve picked it up from her.”

Naya’s heart skipped a beat.

Just days ago, she had mocked Zora for being sneaky, and now, she had suddenly become Cesar’s assistant.

The truth was, Cesar had always kept work and personal matters strictly separate. Even back when Naya had been blindly in love and begged to be his assistant, he turned her down, citing conflict of interest.

And now… Naya let out a silent scoff. Clearly, every principle could be bent in the name of love.

“Oh, and Naya,” Cesar added as he loosened his tie, tone casual, “I need you to announce Zora’s new role at the company party.”

He didn’t stop there. “You know how my parents feel about her. But if you’re the one who introduces her, they’ll back off. They won’t make things hard for her.”

Watching Cesar go to such lengths for Zora; anticipating his parents’ reactions, thinking about her struggles, Naya felt a dull ache rise in her chest.

He considered everything... except the storm of gossip that would hit Naya if she made the announcement herself.

Soon enough, the day of the company party arrived.

And though Naya still held the title of Mrs. Harmon, she couldn’t compete with something far more intoxicating: The One That Got Away.

The moment Zora stepped into the room, she stole the spotlight.

She wore a silver fringed gown that shimmered under the lights, striking a pose with the confidence of someone who knew she'd already won.

Clutched in one arm was Abigail, dressed in a miniature version of Zora’s gown, chattering sweetly as if they had never been apart.

Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

“Is Abigail Zora’s daughter? They look almost identical.”

“Wait… I thought she was Mrs. Harmon’s.”

“Zora is Mr. Harmon’s real love. Mrs. Harmon was always just a stand-in.”

“No wonder they look like a perfect little trio.”

“Poor Naya. She has to introduce Zora as Cesar’s assistant.”

“That’s why they say being in a wealthy family is never easy.”

Each word struck Naya like knives to the chest. She lifted her wine glass but didn’t drink. Her gaze drifted toward the stars beyond the window.

Across the room, Zora held Abigail’s hand, and Cesar stood beside them, his arm grazing Zora’s waist. They looked every bit the loving family.

And Naya just stood alone, a silent spectator at a show she was once the lead in.

“You still haven’t given up?” Zora’s voice broke the quiet.

She approached, champagne in hand, her tone honeyed with cruelty. “You see it, don’t you? Cesar, Abigail, and I, we belong together. A real family.”

Naya’s lips curved into a calm, unreadable smile. Yes, Zora had every reason to be proud. After all, she had claimed what Naya never truly possessed.

However, she couldn’t let it go. “So what if I’m Mrs. Harmon in name only? If you’re so bold, then make the Harmon family recognize you.”

With that, Naya set down her glass and turned to leave.

She knew her in-laws well, they were stubborn, old-fashioned, and not the type to change their minds easily.

If they had been, Zora and Cesar would’ve been married long ago, and Naya would never have been part of the picture.

She had barely taken two steps when Abigail’s cry pierced through the noise.

"Daddy, I'm so itchy!" Abigail cried, scratching at her arms. Her skin was covered in angry red welts; an alarming sight.

Naya froze.

Her mind flashed back to the jar of peanut butter that had mysteriously appeared on the breakfast table that morning.

Without another thought, she reached into her bag for the allergy meds she always carried, quickly preparing to give them to Abigail.

But just as she opened the bottle, Zora stopped her. “Wait.”

Zora’s eyes locked onto hers, a smug little smile tugging at her lips. Naya’s heart dropped.

Zora crouched beside Abigail, gently cupping her face. “Sweetie,” she coaxed softly, “can you tell us who made you eat something they knew would hurt you?”

Naya’s stomach twisted.

Everyone close to Abigail knew about her peanut allergy. Even the slightest contact could cause a full-body rash, or worse, a life-threatening reaction.

Abigail looked up with teary eyes, then turned to Naya. “No, don’t blame Mommy,” she whimpered. “I just wanted to eat it…”

A heavy silence fell over the room. All eyes turned toward Naya.

She instinctively took a step back, stunned, staring at the child—barely four—who had just delivered a flawless performance.

But more than that, she hadn’t expected Zora to risk Abigail’s health just to frame her.

Cesar’s eyes darkened as he looked at her. Suspicion turned into certainty, then hardened into fury.

Naya felt a sharp pang of sadness. He hadn’t even asked, just believed Zora without hesitation.

“It wasn’t me,” she said, her voice cracking as her eyes brimmed with tears.

“If not you, then who?” Zora pressed, her tone deceptively soft. “Who else but you and Cesar would know Abigail’s allergy?”

She wasn’t just accusing, she was making her move.

This gathering was her stage, and she intended to use it to destroy Naya’s reputation and fight for custody. That way, she could finally step into Naya’s place and become the real Mrs. Harmon.

The party hall buzzed with scandal.

“How heartless, she hurt her own child?”

“Must’ve snapped when she saw Zora come back.”

“A substitute is just that. True love always wins.”

Naya stood frozen, the voices slicing through her like glass. The bitterness crawled up her throat.

“I said it wasn’t me!” she cried, clutching the allergy meds tighter in her hand, eyes locked on Cesar. Her fingers dug into the plastic until it bit into her skin, drawing blood, but she didn’t notice.

“Enough! We’re going to the hospital,” Cesar snapped, his voice full of impatience and disappointment.

He scooped Abigail into his arms. Without looking back, he walked out with Zora right beside him, leaving Naya behind in a storm of whispers and laughter.

As his figure disappeared, something inside Naya shattered.

She turned and walked out of the party, numb, the weight of a hundred stares following her.

After walking aimlessly for what felt like hours, her phone rang. “Naya, everything’s ready. You can leave now.”

The call felt like a lifeline, yanking her out of the abyss. She nodded, resolute. Back at home, Naya quickly dismissed the servants and headed straight to the study.

She placed the signed divorce papers and her wedding ring into an envelope labeled, [For Cesar – Personal].

Then she made a call to the property management and instructed them to throw out everything that belonged to their marriage; his and hers pajamas, matching slippers, mugs, wedding photos, even her own clothes and makeup from the day they wed. All of it.

Once everything was cleared, she opened the suitcase she had packed long ago.

From a drawer, she pulled out a stack of pregnancy test results. She wanted to take the daughter no one had ever cared about.

Before stepping out, Naya paused for one last glance at the villa she had called home for years.

She had loved this place once. But now, she turned away without hesitation, leaving behind her ring and every trace of Cesar.