After my mother-in-law passed away, I went to the reading of her will—only to find my husband sitting there with his mistress… and a newborn in her arms. They didn’t even look embarrassed. Like they’d been waiting for me to crumble. But when the lawyer opened the envelope and began reading her final words, the room went dead quiet—and my husband’s face drained of color.

Gavin did not stand when I entered, and he barely reacted beyond a brief glance in my direction before resting his hand on the empty chair beside him. It was an invitation that was clearly not meant for me, and I understood immediately who that seat was for.

Melody Hartley looked up at me with a soft, almost peaceful smile, and she wore a pale blue dress that made her look gentle and harmless at first glance. In her arms, she held a newborn wrapped in a gray knit blanket, and the baby shifted slightly as if unaware of the tension filling the room.

“You brought a baby to this,” I said, my voice dry even though my chest felt tight.

Melody’s expression did not change, and she answered as if she were stating something ordinary. “He is Gavin’s son,” she said calmly.

Gavin finally met my eyes, and there was no guilt in his expression, no apology, and not even discomfort. There was only irritation, as if my presence complicated something that should have been simple.

“We did not want you hearing it from someone else,” he said, his tone flat and controlled.