Chapter 1
At the house, James sat beside Melinda as she gently rubbed her stomach.
"Darling, I'm so happy we're finally together." A warm smile spread across her face.
She slipped her arms around him, and James returned a faint smile.
"Ever since I first met you, I've loved you." Her eyes searched his.
"Then why did you marry Stephanie?"
James lowered his gaze and let out a weary sigh.
"My father was dying in the hospital, and the medical bills kept piling up. My family had nothing left. My mother said there was only one way to save him."
"What way?"
"She wanted me to date and marry Stephanie because of her wealth. She believed Stephanie could pay for my father's treatment and lift our family out of poverty."
Melinda looked at him quietly.
"So... you never loved Stephanie?"
James slowly shook his head.
"No. I only married her because I was desperate."
"And after your father recovered?"
A shadow crossed James's face.
"He never recovered. His illness is incurable. My plan was to leave Stephanie once I became successful enough to stand on my own."
"And then I came back into your life."
He nodded.
"Yes. The feelings I had for you never disappeared. I tried to bury them, but I couldn't."
Melinda moved closer and gently cupped his cheek.
"You know... I never imagined we'd end up together."
"You ignored me back then because you were already in a relationship." A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Melinda chuckled softly.
"I was dating a billionaire at the time. I met him long before I met you."
"And now?"
"Now I've found real love."
Her fingertips lingered on his face.
"I'm happy to see how successful you've become."
James wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Everything I did was to build a better life."
Melinda's expression slowly hardened.
"A better life is exactly what I want too."
James frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Stephanie has always had everything handed to her while my mother suffered. My late father gave her almost everything—including properties that should have belonged to us."
"That's cruel. Why would he leave nearly everything to her?"
"He believed she was better than us in every way. Because of Stephanie, my father beat my mother until she was almost dead."
The truth, however, was very different.
Years ago, Melinda's mother had secretly planned to kill Stephanie so that her husband would leave his fortune to Melinda and her sisters instead. When Stephanie's father uncovered the plot, he punished his wife severely.
"I'm sorry your family went through all that."
Melinda clenched her fists.
"I want every inheritance that rightfully belongs to me. And I want Stephanie to pay for every painful memory we endured growing up."
James studied her silently.
"Then we'll make it happen."
Little by little, Melinda's bitterness began to harden his own heart.
"I won't let anyone hurt you again," he said firmly. "I'll make sure Stephanie pays for everything."
Their eyes met. Without saying another word, they silently sealed the plan between them.
"Stephanie will return to her struggling mother," Melinda said coldly. "She doesn't belong here anymore."
Neither of them realized that Stephanie had quietly stepped into the house.
She had heard almost everything.
The color drained from her face, and her world seemed to tilt beneath her feet.
With trembling fingers, she slowly pushed the door open.
The nightmare she had desperately hoped wasn't true was unfolding right before her eyes.
"So..." Her voice quivered. "It's true. You're having an affair with my stepsister."
James turned toward her without hesitation.
"Stephanie, you need to leave this house. I'll help you find an apartment."
He pointed toward the door.
Her disbelief quickly turned into fury.
"You actually have the audacity to tell me to leave my own house?" she shouted, tears filling her eyes. "The house I paid for? I can't believe those words are coming from the man I loved."
She stormed toward him, forcing James to instinctively step backward.
"Stephanie..."
"I've fallen out of love with you."
She stared at him as if she no longer recognized the man standing before her.
"I cared for you. I took care of your parents. I stood by your family when everyone else abandoned you. And this is how you repay me?"
"I know." His voice softened. "I tried to make this marriage work, but it just wasn't enough. You deserve someone who truly loves you."
Deep down, James knew those words were a lie.
He had never loved her.
But admitting the truth would only make him look even more heartless.
"You liar!" Stephanie cried. "You told me you loved me!"
"I don't love you anymore, Steph."
She laughed bitterly through her tears.
"From the very beginning, I suspected you only married me for my money. The way you behaved... the way you looked at me... I saw the signs. But I loved you so much that I ignored every warning."
"N-No... I didn't marry you for your money."
The guilt written across his face exposed the truth more clearly than his words ever could.
"Get out of my house!" Stephanie screamed.
Melinda calmly walked over and slipped her arm around James.
"This house belongs to James and me now."
Stephanie looked at her in stunned disbelief.
"What did you just say?"
"Stephanie," Melinda said with a cold smile, "you should leave peacefully. I'll even help you rent an apartment."
Then she pointed toward the door.
"Leave."
Stephanie's heart shattered.
"What is wrong with both of you?" she cried. "This is my house! You're the ones who should leave!"
James took a deep breath.
"If you refuse, I'll have no choice but to call security."
She stared at him, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"James... have you lost your mind? Stop this nonsense and get out of my house!"
"The ownership documents have already been transferred," James replied quietly. "They were signed a week ago. Please... just leave."
Robinson her lawyer have been bribed to forge Stephanie's signature.
Stephanie's breathing became uneven. Something was terribly wrong.
Her mind immediately raced to her lawyer.
He would have the original property documents.
With trembling hands, she reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and dialed Robinson's number.
No response.
Her heartbeat quickened.
She tried again, but the call still wouldn't connect.
Panic slowly tightened its grip around her chest.
As Stephanie continued arguing with James and Melinda, a calm voice suddenly echoed from behind them.
Everyone froze.
Something was about to explode.
