Chapter 1 - The Woman in the White Coat

"Julian!"

The voice sliced through the heavy, suffocating silence between us. I turned to see a woman in a flawless white cashmere coat marching toward us, her heels clicking aggressively against the airport tiles. She was stunning in a cold, statuesque way—perfectly blown-out blonde hair, a massive diamond engagement ring catching the fluorescent light, and an expression that screamed entitlement.

Julian’s face went from pale to ash.

"Julian, darling, you left your boarding pass at the lounge," the woman said, slipping her arm through his. Then, she paused. Her sharp eyes darted to me, taking in my worn jeans and the massive diaper bag slung over my shoulder.

Then, she looked down.

Three toddlers. Three sets of hazel-green eyes staring up at her.

"Oh," she said, her perfectly manicured hand tightening around Julian’s arm. She let out a short, uncomfortable laugh. "Are these... a fan's children? Julian, who is this?"

Julian couldn't speak. He was staring at our son, Leo, who was still reaching a tiny hand out toward him.

"I'm Clara," I said, my voice steady, though my heart was hammering against my ribs. "And these are my children."

The woman’s eyes narrowed. She looked at Leo. Then at Maya. Then at Sam. The resemblance was undeniable. It was like looking at three miniature versions of the billionaire standing beside her. The realization hit her like a physical blow.

"Julian?" she whispered, her voice trembling with sudden fury. "Tell me this isn't what I think it is. Tell me these aren't your bastards."

That word—bastard—ignited a fire inside me that I didn't know I possessed.

I didn't yell. I didn't cause a scene. I simply adjusted Leo on my hip, grabbed Maya’s and Sam’s little hands, and looked Julian dead in the eye.

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"Eighteen months ago, you told me my children wouldn't fit into your perfect life," I said, my voice dropping to a low, icy whisper that only he could hear. "It looks like you found exactly what you were looking for. Have a nice flight, Julian."

I turned my back on the billionaire who had broken my heart, and I walked away.