Chapter 1

• "Amelia, this is the DNA test result. You are not Mr. Milton's biological daughter. Mr. Milton has found his real daughter and wants you to stop contacting them."
• Amelia arrived at her fiancé's house.
• It felt like a dream. She wasn't Jackson's daughter?
• She'd always wondered why Jackson let her take the Cromwell name.
• Now she knew—Jackson had known all along that she wasn't his daughter.
• She mustered the courage to text her fiance, Maynard Simmons, "Coming home for dinner tonight?"
• The wait felt endless. He hated being disturbed at work, and she worried he'd ignore her like he used to.
• But a second later, her phone lit up with his cold reply, "Yeah, we need to talk."
• Relieved, Amelia hurried to buy groceries and whipped up several of her best dishes.
• She placed the DNA test on the table, then thought better of it and flipped it over.
• As evening fell, a black luxury car pulled into the yard.
• Maynard got out, his suit jacket casually draped over his arm. His tall frame and sharp features made him look like a model off the runway.
• "Maynard, you're home!"
• Amelia jogged over, reaching for his jacket, but he handed her a document instead. Her eyes widened in surprise.
• "Take a look. If you have any demands, go ahead."
• She glanced down at the first page, where the title "Breakup Agreement" stared back at her.
• The stark white paper hurt her eyes.
• Maynard tugged at his tie, looking tired from work. He glanced at his fiancee, with her round, baby-faced features that made her look pretty cute.
• He didn't love her. He'd only proposed because his grandma adored her.
• Amelia kept his grandma company, strolled with her in Central Park, baked cupcakes, and watched old movies together.
• Life had become more colorful for his grandma, and her health improved.
• Their engagement was just a deal.
• Staying together would only waste Amelia's youth. Better to end it.
• "Are you breaking up with me because of my identity?" Amelia asked, her voice trembling.
• Had Maynard already found out she wasn't a Milton by blood?
• "Identity?" He frowned. "What are you talking about?"
• "Never mind. I was just wondering, would you still break up if we had a kid?"
• "Yes," he said coldly, his eyes flicking to her stomach.
• "Are you pregnant?"
• She shook her head.
• Maynard let out a sigh of relief. He didn't want to bring a child into an unhappy relationship—like his parents had done.
• Amelia watched his retreating back, swallowing back tears. She hadn't told him about the DNA test.
• His words felt like a gentle knife stabbing her heart.
• She glanced at the dinner she'd prepared, now cold, and dumped it all in the trash.
• Growing up, her parents never loved her. They sent her to live with her aunt, Rosemary, who was kind to her.
• All Amelia ever wanted was a family of her own.
• She'd been Maynard's fiancee for three years, even though she knew he didn't love her.
• But you can't warm a cold stone, no matter how hard you try.
• Without even reading the breakup agreement, she signed her name at the bottom.
• That night, she moved to the study. She couldn't go back to the Miltons, and Maynard hadn't kicked her out yet. For now, this was her home.
• The next morning, Amelia got a call from Maynard's mom, Felicia.
• "Amelia, have the maid clean up the guest room on the second floor. We're expecting guests for a few days. Make sure they're well taken care of."
• Before Amelia could ask who, Felicia hung up.
• By the time she went downstairs, Maynard had already left for work.
• In the afternoon, a young woman dressed head-to-toe in designer clothes walked into the hall. Amelia's eyes widened. Was this the guest Felicia mentioned? She was stunning.
• Amelia's mind flashed with bitterness. In the past, she would've been jealous. But she was already broken up with Maynard. Any woman living here was none of her business.
• "Hi," Amelia began, but the woman ignored her, walked around the hall, and then turned to the butler, Adrian.
• "The curtains are ugly, and I hate the sofa. Change everything in the bedroom to my favorite brands."
• "Who are you?" Amelia asked.
• "Let me introduce myself. I'm Misty Erikson, the future lady of the house. Naturally, I get to decide the decor."
• "You're Misty?"
• A wave of bitterness washed over Amelia. No wonder Maynard broke up with her.
• Misty was back, and she was just a stand-in.
• "Looks like you've heard of me. Sign the breakup agreement. You've held this spot for three years. Time to move on."
• Amelia replied coolly, "So sentimental. Where were you when Maynard was in a car accident and in a coma?"
• Misty's face froze. "My brothers kept me locked up. I couldn't see Maynard. Anyway, if you want your family to stay safe, sign the agreement."
• She glanced at the breakup agreement on the coffee table, feeling triumphant. She'd waited three years for this day.
• "I've already signed it," Amelia said.
• "Good choice."
• Misty pulled out a check from her designer bag. "Here's a million dollars. Consider it compensation."