The heavy glass clicked against the marble counter as Michael signaled the bartender for another shot. The burning amber liquid scorched his throat, but it couldn't touch the icy cold numbness spreading through his chest.Five years. For five whole years, he had poured his soul into raising those twins. He had stayed up during feverish nights, wiped away tears, bandaged scraped knees, and held them with absolute pride.Then came the routine medical screening. Then came the DNA results sitting on his office desk.One child is biologically yours. The other is not.As a doctor, Michael understood the ruthless biology behind it. Superfecundation. It sounded like a cold, clinical term from a medical textbook, but in reality, it was a lethal weapon that had just torn his entire life to pieces.He and Susan hadn't been intimate for months leading up to their wedding. The day after they exchanged vows, they had flown off to a private, completely isolated island for their honeymoon—no other me

Michael looked at her, his heart breaking completely. All the years he thought she loved him for who he was... it was all a lie. She really did look down on him."I don't care about your money, Susan," Michael said softly. "I'd rather be a poor man with my dignity than live in a palace built on lies."Seeing that her threats weren't scaring him, Susan’s posture softened. She took a deep breath, smoothing down her hair, and her tone shifted back to a gentle, persuasive whisper."Michael... please. Don't speak in anger," she said, walking up to him and placing her hands on his chest. "We have five years of marriage. We have two beautiful kids. I know you're upset and confused right now, but let's just calm down."Michael didn't move. "There's nothing to calm down about.""Just admit you made a mistake," Susan pleaded, looking up at him with tearful eyes. "Admit that you were wrong to doubt me and run those tests. Withdraw this foolish idea of a divorce. If you back down right now, I wil

He became the husband who cooked dinner every single night. When Susan suffered from severe stomach ulcers due to her stressful job, Michael spent hours researching, buying rare herbs, and cooking specialized therapeutic meals to ease her pain. He had given up his dreams, his ambition, and his status—all to be her supportive background husband.And this was his reward. A DNA test proving he was a cuckold."What a joke," Michael whispered to the empty room, tears burning in his eyes. "What an absolute joke."For two full days, Michael didn't leave the hotel room. He ordered room service, stared at the ceiling, and drafted the final divorce papers.On the night of the second day, the electronic lock on his room door suddenly beeped. The door was slammed open, banging loudly against the wall.Susan stood in the doorway, her coat draped over her shoulders, her eyes flashing with pure fury."So this is where you've been hiding!" Susan snapped, striding into the room and slamming the door b

Hearing her mention the kids only poured gasoline on the fire in Michael's soul. The thought of Leo, the boy he had held, loved, and raised as his own flesh and blood sent a wave of suffocating agony through his lungs."One of those children isn't mine, Susan!" Michael screamed, his tears spilling over. "One of them belongs to the bastard you slept with! How do you expect me to look at him without dying inside every single day?!"Susan’s face hardened instantly, her sympathetic act dropping like a stone. "Fine!" she hissed bitterly. "Walk away then! See how far you get! You think you can even support a child on your own after a divorce?! You're a nobody doctor with no real career!""Then I'll work until my hands bleed!" Michael fired back, his eyes dead set on hers. "I am done stepping back. I am done being your free housekeeper while you build an empire on my back! I felt the sting of your betrayal once, Susan that is more than enough for one lifetime. I am never coming back."Susan

The force of the blow snapped Michael’s head to the side. He stumbled backward, his back crashing into the cabinet. A burning pain was felt across his jaw, and the taste of blood filled his mouth.Mr. Carrick Sterling stood over him, his chest heaving under his fishing vest, his face twisted in absolute fury of a Billionaire."You ungrateful bastard!" Carrick cursed, pointing a finger at Michael's face. "We brought you into our home! We gave you status! And you dare come into my house, accuse my daughter of being a whore, and demand my family's fortune?!""Dad, stop!" Susan cried out, stepping forward.Carrick raised his hand again, his knuckles white. "I'll beat some sense into this gold-digging parasite!""Carrick, no!" Helen yelled, throwing her arms around her husband's chest to hold him back. "Don't hit him!"Susan rushed between her father and Michael, her breathing heavy. She turned to Michael, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and shock. "Apologize right now, Michael! Apol