Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Divorce

"Sign the divorce papers."

Maria Lewis froze at the doorway, her hand still on the doorknob.

In the two years she'd been married into the Bennett family, James's mom had never once given her a warm look. Still, she hadn't expected to be forced into signing a divorce all of a sudden.

She glanced around the living room-James wasn't there.

"Quit wasting time and just sign it already. Can't even have a child. Pathetic. And your parents? Ran a company straight into the ground even after I poured in all that money. Total disgrace to our family."

Maria's face turned pale.

Panic creeping up her spine, she quickly took out her phone to call her parents. No signal. Not one call would go through.

"Save your effort," James's mom said impatiently. "They already skipped town last night."

Maria's lips trembled. Her voice was tight. "Even if we're getting divorced, that's between James and me."

His mother's expression sharpened. "Still clinging on? Fine, let me call him for you-so you finally get the message."

She dialed right in front of her. "Hello, James? I'm here with Maria, talking about your divorce. What do you say?"

Maria stood there, heart pounding.

"Go ahead," came James's voice on the other end-low, cold, no hesitation.

That one sentence felt like a knife slicing flesh one cut at a time. Maria stared at the phone as her heart plummeted into an icy abyss. She couldn't even find her voice.

As if that wasn't enough, his mother added, "Oh right-you remember Amelia? She got back today. James went to see her."

Maria's mind went blank. She couldn't even hear what else was being said. Didn't remember how she signed the papers.

So Amelia was back. James and Amelia were probably getting back together.

And her?

When she married him, she was already feeling down, but little by little she'd come to love him.

She never thought James would actually agree to a divorce.

While she cried to herself in silence, something reckless sparked to life in her mind.

That night, she drank. A lot.

By the time James got home, she was totally out of it-red-eyed, tipsy, and swaying on her feet.

His sharp eyes swept over her, frowning. "You're drunk."

"I'm not..."

She stared at him, as if trying to memorize his face one last time, raised her wine glass, and offered a crooked smile. "We're about to end things. Share a drink with me?"

She poured him one and handed it over. "Just. one final toast."

James didn't move, his brow furrowed.

Maria's heart ached. "Seriously? Not even that? Just one drink, that's all I'm asking."

In the dim light, her eyes held a quiet plea. Slowly, James took the glass.

A faint, broken smile touched Maria's lips.

The next morning.

James woke up.

The bed was a mess, clothes scattered on the ground-no doubt about what happened last night.

But Maria was gone.

Only thing left behind was a note on the nightstand: "Wish you and Amelia the best."

James stared at those words, bits of hazy memory from the night before flashing through his mind.

He let out a cold laugh, wiping the corner of his mouth.

Two years of marriage, and they'd never been intimate-until last night.

And now she slept with him and bailed?

James ordered people to look for her, but it was like she vanished off the face of the earth.

Five years later.

North City International Airport, outside the restroom-

Two tiny figures dragging kiddie-sized suitcases immediately caught everyone's eye.The little boy wore a blue shirt with shorts, neat as a pin, and had a red cap on his head. His features were sharp and handsome, carrying a calm and cool aura way beyond his years-definitely the quiet type.

His sister had shoulder-length hair, left loose, and wore a pink lace princess dress. She was hugging half of a giant plush bear. Her eyelashes curled like little fans, and her eyes were bright and full of life, sparkling like fresh dew.

"Oh my god, how cute are they! Look at them, seriously adorable!"

"That girl's eyes are gorgeous, like she stepped out of a cartoon! She just smiled at me-angel alert!"

"Ugh, suddenly I wanna have kids now!"

The kids seemed totally unfazed by all the attention, clearly used to it.

Ethan threw a glance toward the gushing crowd, his face stoic like a little poker master.

He leaned over to Ella, who was grinning beside him, and whispered, "Remember, we have to keep our mission on the down low. No way can Mommy find out."

Ella nodded, serious all of a sudden. She held up an OK gesture with both hands. "Got it! I won't spill the beans, promise!"

Right then, Ethan tilted his head and spotted a stunning woman walking out from the restroom. His voice lowered, "Mommy's here."

The woman was breathtaking-classy and sexy all at once, with a figure that turned heads. She wore a red dress that hugged her curves and moved with effortless grace. She had a calm, confident air, lighting up the room without trying.

Gasps broke out around them.

"Holy-she's glowing!"

"How is someone this pretty even real!?"

People couldn't think straight at the sight of her, the word "beautiful" echoing in their heads.

"Mommy!" Ella said sweetly.

Ethan managed a subtle smile-cold but warm in its own way.

His features were starting to resemble James Bennett more and more. That thought hit Maria like a flash, her mind briefly going blank.

A chime from her phone snapped her out of it.

It was a message from Maria's bestie, Isabella Lane: "You landed yet?"

"Just did. I'll come see you once I'm settled," she replied, regaining her composure.

Maria's face returned to its usual calm. On paper, she was joining MG Entertainment as a stylist, but in reality, she had her own agenda-checking out the company's potential for collaboration.and finally confronting her parents, who'd abandoned her and her brother years ago.

Were they not her real family?

As for her ex-husband-yeah, right. She didn't have time for that mess. Let him have his 'happily ever after.'

She dropped the twins off at a villa and got them settled in.

The next morning, after breakfast, the kids noticed Maria was doing her makeup.

She'd changed into a sharp work outfit-a sleek black knit top tucked into a white pencil skirt, showing off her elegant figure. A chic necklace hung from her V-neckline, adding a touch of flair.

"Mommy's soooo pretty today!" Ella beamed.

Maria picked up her black purse and gave a soft, "Mm."

"Mommy's heading to work now. You two stay out of trouble, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy!"

She kissed each of them before heading out.

But as soon as the door shut behind her, the two mini sneaks were already tailing her from a distance.

They ended up near the entertainment company. Hiding behind a big tree, the twins peeked over at the building.

"This is the place, right? Mommy's new job?"

Ella tilted her head back to look at the towering office. "You really think we'll find Daddy?"

"We will. No doubt."

Still a little confused, Ella asked in her soft, childish voice, "So.what's the plan now?"

Ethan's eyes shifted to a restaurant next door. He fiddled with the watch on his wrist and said, "I've got an idea. Follow me."