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Rage surges in my chest.
He's taken so much—if he touched Lily's share, I'd make him pay.
At 7 p.m., I set a cartoon sheep cake on the table.
Lily squeals," Wow, Daddy, you're amazing! I love you!"
My college group chat lights up with praise.
"Your dad made that himself? It looks better than the ones I buy from the store! I'm so jealous!"
"Lily's dad is a superhero. He can do fox makeup, crafts bags, carves fruit, and makes cakes this perfect..."
These four years, I've done all kinds of jobs to make ends meet, becoming a jack-of-all-trades.
Lily cut the cake and gave me the first slice, then Emily the second.
"Mommy, this is my first birthday with you.I'm so happy!"
Emily was looking at her phone, but she quickly put on a big smile and took the slice. I knew what was distracting her.
Today's also Nathan's birthday.
She's always spent it with him.
It wasn't a coincidence that her lover and daughter had the same birthday.
When Emily was nine months pregnant, Nathan, who had got tired of taunting me with texts and photos, or sending me" gifts" from Emily's luxury purchases, showed up in person.
On his birthday, Emily gave him a wedding ring and promised a grand wedding.
He even came to invite me and Lily to attend.
Furious, I confronted Emily. When she realized her affair was exposed, she got so stressed that she went into premature labor.
She nearly died from blood loss, and Lily was in danger too.
For the first time, Emily scolded Nathan.
Tearfully, he said," I just wanted to be with you openly..."
She softened and pulled him close.
"Sweetie, I keep him around to protect you."
Outside the delivery room, I stared at my fragile daughter, feeling only disgust and despair.
That pain was soul-crushing.
So Emily's bankruptcy? I thought she deserved it.
After we finished the cake, I kicked her out.
She pleaded," I have nowhere to go."
I shoved her outside.
"None of my business. Go to him."
The hallway light flickers on and off.
Emily just sat outside the door, head bowed.
In truth, she had gone to Nathan first.
She thought that after four years of spoiling him and giving him everything, he'd be worried when he saw her in trouble. She thought he'd sell a property to help her.
That would pass her test.
She didn't really want to burden him.
But Nathan couldn't hide his disgust when he saw her in the sanitation worker's outfit. It hurt Emily's feelings.
He quickly masked it with a smile and let her in.
He assumed she was setting up a birthday surprise—fake bankruptcy, then revealing it was all a joke.
But then he saw her rich friends' group chat.
"The Harpers are done. Even Mr. and Mrs. Harper fled the country overnight."
"The company was sold, but they still owe a billion. Emily will be paying that off her whole life."
"Not quite. She bought Nathan so many properties and luxuries. If they sell those, she'll be fine. But Nathan will have to live a poor life with her."
Then, someone realized Nathan was in the chat, and he was quickly kicked out.
Nathan's eyes widened.
Reality hit hard.
They'd called him" son-in-law" before.
Now, they cursed as they cut him off.
With trouble brewing, he only thought about himself.
"Your family's bankrupt? What does that have to do with me? Are we married? Does your family accept me? Why should I sell my houses?"
Emily's heart raced, she couldn't believe her ears.
Her gentle, understanding boyfriend—how had he become this?
"Nathan, what are you saying? I gave you everything but a ring. I did so much for you. I even left my husband and child for you,"
She thought this would make him remember their relationship.
Instead, he sneered.
"You gave it all willingly. Ever hear of taking back gifts? I slept with you for four years—you can't expect that for free, right?"
"And..."
Seeing her red eyes, he grew more contemptuous.
"A woman who ditches her husband and child—think I'd trust you? You nearly died giving birth and still don't care about your daughter. Who's to say you won't do the same to me with someone new?"
Emily was so shocked that she couldn't argue. Nathan took out his phone.
Nathan tapped his phone." Since you're useless now, I'll tell you something. Why your husband was so desperate to divorce you."
"From the first time you slept with me, I sent him photos of our dates, our time in the bedroom, and all the gifts you gave me.
"He took it well. I had to push him to a breakdown before he snapped.I'm not dumb like him, being your free nanny and baby-maker…"
A thunderbolt scorched Emily's mind.
So James had given her countless chances.
Nathan dropped the act." Miss Harper, I studied your social media before joining the company. I knew your likes inside out. That 'connection' you thought we had? I just prepared topics to keep you interested. It was so tiring..."
Emily was so angry that she tried to strangle him.
"You…you just wanted my money! You drained my heart! You ruined my marriage! You nearly killed my child! My dad was right—you're a curse!"
Before she finished, Nathan called security and they dragged her out of the building.
It was late June, but Emily shivered.
Her" His True Heart" group chat pinged.
Her friends, who were part of this "game," messaged her.
"Em, we just put on a show. Did Nathan panic and sell a house to save you?"
Emily typed furiously:" Your' son-in-law' should be James.I'm winning him back."
