Chapter 4

"Julian, you're not just her dad on paper. You actually used my private mansion to register her school records?"

My voice wasn't loud, but every word cut like a knife.

Julian’s face was whiter than paper. He shook his head frantically. "Claire, don't misunderstand! That mansion has been sitting empty anyway.

To get Lily into this academy, we had to show proof of a multi-million-dollar property. I only borrowed the address! They have never actually lived there, I swear!"

"Yes, exactly!" Beatrice chimed in, quickly finding her voice. "Claire, don't be so petty. You can't even get pregnant anyway. T

he Sterling family needs an heir! Even if Lily isn't Julian's biological child, she calls me Grandma. What's wrong with me loving her? What's wrong with using an empty house address?"

I looked at this mother and son, feeling a wave of sheer absurdity.

"I" couldn't get pregnant?

Years ago, during our fertility checks, Julian was the one whose medical report showed zero active sperm.

He had literally knelt in the pouring rain, slapping his own face, begging me not to leave him. To save his pride, I had told everyone that my body was too weak to carry a child.

And now, they were throwing that lie back in my face as if it were my fault.

"Are you Claire Jian?" the mother of the injured girl sneered, looking at us.

"I don't care about your family drama. But today, if I don't get three million dollars in compensation, this isn't over! Since that mansion is yours, you are paying for this!"

The school administrator also stepped up, handing me an incident liability form.

"Mrs. Jian, since you are listed as the primary emergency contact and the owner of the registered property, please sign here."

I looked down at the paper.

"Mother's Name: Claire Jian."

"Contact Number: My private cell number."

"Home Address: Rose Garden No. 1."

They hadn't just stolen my house; they had stolen my identity. Evelyn had been walking around using my name, enjoying the social status of being Mrs. Sterling!

I pulled out my phone and took high-definition photos of the liability form, the family portrait on the wall, and the three guilty faces in front of me.

"Claire, what the hell are you doing?!" Julian lunged to grab my phone.

I stepped back, dodging his hands. My eyes were dead.

"Julian, I'm not signing this, and I'm not paying a single penny."

I looked around the room, making sure my voice was clear enough for everyone to hear. "I, Claire Jian, am declaring right now. I do not have any children.

This girl, Lily, has absolutely nothing to do with me. As for the Rose Garden No. 1 mansion, I have never authorized anyone to use it. If you dare forge my signature on any documents, I will see you in federal court."

Without giving Julian another glance, I turned on my heels and walked out into the night.

The cold wind hit me again. I kept my back straight, but my tears finally broke free, streaming down my face.

Seven years of marriage. Seven years of devotion. It was all a meticulously planned scam.