Chapter 1

Sarah Miller and David Miller had been married for ten years. To the outside world, they were the perfect couple, a powerhouse in New York City. The reality was a carefully constructed lie.

She used his money, booking out the most exclusive clubs in the city and staying out all night. He didn't care. He had his own life, a string of affairs, and even a secret child. They never spoke of it. Their lives ran on parallel tracks, never crossing, never interfering. It was a cold, silent agreement.

The screech of tires cut through the city noise as Sarah' s car sped toward Liam' s school. The call had been a blur of panicked words from a teacher. An accident. Acid. Her son.

She gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white. For the first time in a decade, a deep, burning hatred for David filled her chest. A real emotion, sharp and painful, in the void of their marriage.

She burst into the school nurse' s office. Liam was on a cot, his small face pale, a raw, red burn marring the side of his cheek and neck. A woman stood by the window, impeccably dressed, looking bored.

"Are you Liam' s mother?" the woman asked, her tone dismissive. She didn' t wait for an answer. "My Leo said it was an accident. Boys will be boys. Here."

She pulled a check from her designer handbag. "This should be enough to cover the medical bills and keep you quiet."

The woman was Olivia Chen, a well-known socialite. Sarah' s eyes, however, weren' t on the check. They were locked on the bracelet gracing Olivia' s wrist. A heavy, emerald-studded band. It was a Miller family heirloom, passed down from David' s grandmother. It was meant for David' s wife. It was meant for her.

Sarah' s hand went to her pocket, her fingers closing around her phone. She dialed David' s number. Voicemail. She tried again. Voicemail. A third time. Nothing.

Her son was hurt, and her husband wouldn't answer his phone.

Then, Olivia' s phone rang. She answered it with a soft, cooing voice. "David, darling. Don' t worry. Leo is fine, just a little shaken up. Yes, I' m handling the other boy' s mother now."

The sound of David' s concerned voice, faint but clear over the line, was the final crack in Sarah' s composure. He was worried about his mistress and his illegitimate son.

A wave of memories washed over her. Her family, on the verge of ruin. The Millers, stepping in to save them. The price was her marriage to David. And David, he hadn't wanted her. He'd wanted the inheritance clause in the Miller family trust. The clause stated that the bulk of the family fortune would go to his firstborn child upon their tenth birthday.

Liam' s tenth birthday was in three days.

In three days, the trust would activate. Liam would be in control.

Sarah looked from her son' s pained face to the arrogant woman wearing her family' s legacy on her wrist. A cold calm settled over her.

Let them have their moment. Let David and his mistress enjoy their last three days of freedom.