Samuel said he had to work and told me not to take Lily to Family Day at her school.
But when I saw the disappointment in her big, hopeful eyes, there was no way I could do that to her. So, I took her anyway.
And guess what?
The moment we walked in, I saw him.
Samuel.
Holding a little boy in one arm, his other hand clasped tightly with Rachel’s, his so-called childhood friend. They looked like a perfect little family, laughing and basking in the moment.
My stomach twisted.
Then Samuel noticed us. His smile faltered. He let go of Rachel’s hand like it burned him.
“Quincy, it’s not what you think,” he rushed to explain. “Rachel’s a single mom. Today’s her son’s fifth birthday. He just wanted to know what it feels like to have a dad.”
I let his words hang in the air, my face unreadable. Then, without sparing him another glance, I bent down and took Lily’s tiny hand.
“Sweetheart,” I said, my voice gentle but firm. “Say hello to the uncle.”
**Prelude ends**
Rachel quickly pulled her son from Samuel’s arms, looking flustered.
“Quincy, please don’t take this the wrong way,” she said, forcing a smile. “Samuel was just being nice. Leo’s never had a dad, and today is his special day. He just wanted to help.”
I tilted my head, giving her a slow, measured smile.
“Oh? Well, now that Lily and I are here, shouldn’t you give Samuel back? We’re his real family, after all.”
Rachel stiffened. Before she could say a word, her son clung to Samuel and shot me a defiant glare.
“Dad! You promised to spend today with me and Mom!”
I raised an eyebrow. Dad?
Samuel tensed, stepping in front of them like some kind of human shield. His tone turned impatient.
“Quincy, you’re a parent too. Shouldn’t you have some empathy? Rachel and I grew up together. I’m just spending one day with them. Do you really have to blow this out of proportion?”
I let out a quiet, bitter laugh. “Oh, so now Rachel’s situation is my problem?”
Before he could answer, a few more parents arrived with their kids. One of them beamed as she walked over.
“Good morning, Leo’s mom and dad! You two always show up together. Wish my husband would do the same instead of claiming he’s too busy for our son.”
Rachel’s face turned red. Samuel stiffened like a deer caught in headlights.
I crossed my arms. “One day, huh, Samuel?”
His expression darkened. Frustration flickered across his face as he grabbed my arm, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper.
“Quincy, there are people watching. Do you have to make a scene?” Then, his eyes darted toward Lily. “Think about her. You really want to do this in front of our daughter?”
At the mention of her name, Lily looked up, confused. Her tiny fingers gripped my leg, her palm damp with sweat.
I crouched down, smoothing her ponytail. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Mommy’s here.”
I straightened, watching as Samuel walked off with Rachel and Leo, slipping into the growing crowd.
Parents gathered around him, showering him with praise. Compliments flew left and right, what a young, successful CEO he was, how impressive his career had become.
He stood there, basking in it, eating it up like it was his birthright.
Rachel stuck close, looking up at him with admiration, clearly loving the attention.
And Leo? Still in Samuel’s arms, he turned back and smirked at me. A full-fledged, mocking smirk.
I felt a cold laugh rise in my throat.
Samuel really thought he had this in the bag.
Sure, I’d taken a step back from work after giving birth. But I still owned seventy-five percent of Flying Group’s shares.
I was the real power behind the company.
Samuel? He was just riding my coattails. And out of some misplaced sense of loyalty, I’d let him.
I pulled out my phone, thumbs moving fast.
“John, fire Samuel. Make the announcement next Monday.”
Then, another text to legal.
“Luke, draft the divorce papers.”
I tucked my phone away, my lips curving into a smirk.
Oh, Samuel. If you want to play house with another woman, at least make sure you can afford it.
