Chapter 2
My mind was in chaos. Conveniently, I took on a research project that required me to be away for a while.
When I returned, the baby had already been born–a little boy.
I stood at the doorway of the hospital room, frozen, as laughter spilled out from inside. I remembered how Nate once told me, “In this entire world, you’re the one I care about most deeply.”
Yet there he was, carefully cradling the newborn in his arms, his voice gentle in a way I’d rarely
heard.
“Shh, don’t cry, Daddy’s little man. You’re the most precious thing in Daddy’s world now.”
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Paige flipped through a parenting guide, her face glowing despite her exhaustion. “He has your nose, but his eyes are definitely mine.”
Nate nodded enthusiastically. “They are! We should call him ‘Noah‘–after his old man.”
I stood there in the doorway, invisible to both of them in their perfect little bubble.
I couldn’t help myself – I cleared my throat.
Nate looked up, his eyes locking onto mine. In that instant, his smile vanished completely. “Sienna.”
I walked in, and the room fell silent.
“Sienna,” Paige said softly, “if you don’t want me around, I can raise him by myself. He doesn’t need to be part of your family.”
I noticed the shift immediately. Before, she’d called me Mrs. Wilson with respect. Now I was
“Sienna.”
Before, she’d promised to give Nate a child and then step back. Now she was talking about raising the baby herself.
I smiled coldly. “How thoughtful you’ve suddenly become, Paige.”
Her eyes welled up with tears. “I know Nate always wanted a child. I just wanted to fulfill that wish
00:52
His ‘Perfect‘ Mistress? A Fraud His Career? Mine Now
Chapter 2
for you.”
I stared at her, then tossed the folder I’d been carrying onto her bed.
“Documentation regarding penalties for unauthorized use of genetic material from research
facilities.”
“You have a scientific background. Don’t pretend you didn’t know this was illegal.”
Her face drained of color, her lips trembling.
Suddenly, the baby let out a piercing wail. Nate immediately held him closer, murmuring soft
reassurances.
In that moment, I realized something profound: regardless of who was right or wrong, this child
would forever stand between us.
I turned to leave, but Nate caught the edge of my jacket.
“Sienna! Thank you for not pressing charges, but there’s something else I need to discuss with you.”
“Paige just gave birth and her recovery is slow. The doctors recommend continued rest. Our place in
Eastside has great sunlight and all the amenities… After she’s discharged, could she stay there
temporarily? I could help take care of her and the baby…”
My throat tightened as I forced out the words, “You want her to live in OUR home?”
“She doesn’t have any other family,” he said, his expression as calm and reasonable as ever. “Sienna,
she just needs some help right now.”
I looked at Nate, feeling like someone had stuffed cotton down my throat, making it impossible to breathe properly.
“And what about ME?” I asked quietly. “If you bring her home, what about me? Am I supposed to
live under the same roof with HER?”
“If you’re really uncomfortable… you could stay at the Lakeside apartments for a while. They’re farther from the research center, but quieter.”
Huh. So that was it. I gave a bitter smile and turned to walk away without any hesitation.
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