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 pushed his chair back slightly. “This is manipulation,” he said, pointing toward me. “She is twisting everything.”

I met his gaze fully, feeling something shift inside me for the first time that day.

“No,” I said quietly. “She is giving me a way out.”

He changed his approach almost immediately, softening his expression and lowering his voice as if he could still control the situation.

“Hannah, we do not need to do this here,” he said gently. “Let us talk privately and figure this out.”

I did not move, and instead I looked at Leonard. “Should I step outside with him,” I asked.

Leonard shook his head slightly. “Dorothy specifically instructed that you not be alone with Gavin today, and building security has already been notified.”

A flicker of unease crossed Gavin’s face before he quickly masked it.

Melody looked between us, her voice quieter now. “I did not know about any of this,” she said. “He told me you did not want a family.”

“I wanted one,” I replied evenly. “He wanted control.”

Gavin’s jaw tightened. “You are not perfect either,” he said defensively.

“No,” I answered. “But I am done pretending.”