Part 1: Opening

When billionaire Adrian Blackwood’s wife invited his mistress to their twentieth wedding anniversary party, everyone assumed she had finally lost her mind.

But the real shock came when she stood before two hundred guests, raised her champagne glass, and announced that she was expecting a baby.

Adrian nearly dropped his drink.

His mistress, Vanessa, stopped smiling.

And the woman standing beside the grand staircase, wearing a breathtaking silver gown, looked happier than she had in years.

Her name was Isabelle Blackwood.

For two decades, she had been the perfect billionaire’s wife. She accompanied Adrian to charity galas, hosted influential business partners, and raised their two children in a mansion overlooking the city.

She had never embarrassed him in public.

Never questioned his long working hours.

And never complained when he began spending more time with his personal assistant, Vanessa Reed.

At first, Adrian insisted their relationship was purely professional. Vanessa organized his schedule, traveled with him, and handled confidential business matters.

But eventually, the late-night meetings became weekend trips, and the business dinners became private holidays.

Isabelle discovered the affair eleven months earlier.

She found a hotel receipt inside Adrian’s coat, followed by a series of messages that left no room for misunderstanding.

When she confronted him, Adrian didn’t even deny it.

He simply told her he was no longer happy.

“I don’t want to spend the rest of my life pretending,” he said. “Vanessa understands me in ways you never have.”

Isabelle had looked at him for a long time.

Then she asked one question.

“Does she know about the agreement?”

Adrian frowned.

“What agreement?”

“Nothing. Forget I asked.”

He assumed she was talking about their prenuptial agreement and dismissed the conversation.

From that day forward, Isabelle became strangely cooperative.

She stopped questioning his whereabouts, no longer checked his phone, and even encouraged him to spend time with Vanessa.

Adrian interpreted her silence as surrender.

He didn’t realize she had started meeting privately with a lawyer and a doctor.

Three months later, Isabelle announced that she wanted to organize a lavish anniversary celebration.

Adrian was surprised, but pleased. He believed it was an opportunity to restore their public image before he eventually filed for divorce.

Then Isabelle handed him the guest list.

One name was circled in red.

Vanessa Reed.

“Why is she invited?” Adrian asked.

“Because she’s an important person in your life,” Isabelle replied.

“That’s inappropriate.”

“Is it? You bring her to business dinners. I thought it would be rude to exclude her from our anniversary.”

Adrian stared at his wife, trying to understand her sudden generosity.

But Isabelle merely smiled.

The party took place at their private estate, with reporters, business partners, and close friends filling the ballroom. A string orchestra played beneath crystal chandeliers, while waiters moved between guests carrying champagne.

Vanessa arrived in a red designer gown.

She approached Adrian with a familiar smile, but hesitated when she saw Isabelle waiting near the staircase.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Vanessa said.

Isabelle extended her hand.

“Of course. Tonight is about celebrating the people who have shaped our lives.”

Adrian shifted uncomfortably.

Then the orchestra stopped.

Isabelle stepped onto the small stage, holding a microphone.

She thanked the guests for attending, spoke warmly about the twenty years she and Adrian had shared, and announced that she had a special surprise.

“I know many of you have been wondering what the future holds for our family,” she began.

Adrian glanced at Vanessa.

Neither of them looked particularly concerned.

Then Isabelle placed one hand over her stomach.

“I’m happy to announce that our family is about to welcome another child.”

The ballroom fell silent.

Adrian’s glass slipped from his fingers and shattered against the marble floor.

Vanessa stared at Isabelle.

“That’s impossible,” she whispered.

Isabelle looked directly at her.

“Why would you say that?”

Vanessa’s face went pale.

Adrian stepped forward.

“Isabelle, we need to talk. Now.”

But his wife wasn’t finished.

She reached into her handbag and removed a small white envelope.

“Before we celebrate, there’s one more thing everyone should know.”

She turned toward the guests.

“This pregnancy has nothing to do with the future Adrian and I once planned. In fact, the child I’m carrying is the reason I finally decided to reveal what happened twenty years ago.”

Then she looked at Vanessa.

“And I believe our guest of honor knows exactly why.”

Vanessa began backing away.

Adrian grabbed Isabelle’s arm.

“What have you done?”

Isabelle gently pulled free.

“Nothing you haven’t already done yourself.”

She opened the envelope and removed a document bearing the seal of a private medical laboratory.

The first line contained a name that made Adrian’s expression collapse.

It wasn’t his.

It was his father’s.