For three years, Willow Horgan was the perfect shadow. She was the dutiful wife who followed Julian Sinclair’s every command, even when he exiled her to Seattle the morning after their wedding. Behind the scenes, she wasn't just a trophy wife; she was a genius, turning his struggling subsidiary into a multi-billion dollar biotech empire through her secret patents. But her loyalty was met with ice. When Willow begged for leave to see her dying mother, Julian’s response was a chilling sneer: "She’s not dead yet. Get back to work." Returning home in defiance, the veil finally fell. The marriage was a sham—a calculated play to shield his "true love" and their secret child. To make matters worse, the only creature she loved, her dog, had been left crippled under his neglect. That was the moment Willow’s heart turned to ash. She signed the divorce papers, walked away from the Sinclair family’s fortune, and vanished. Julian laughed, certain she’d come crawling back. She was just a "housewife," after all. He was wrong. When they meet again, it’s at a global press conference. Willow stands in the spotlight, the brilliant scientist behind a world-changing gene-editing patent. She’s radiant, confident, and no longer his. Beside her stands the most powerful man in Seattle—a ruthless tycoon who treats her like a queen. As Julian falls to his knees, begging for a second chance, a heavy hand rests on Willow’s waist. The tycoon’s voice drops to a possessive growl: "You’re mistaken. She’s my wife now."

Chapter 1In her third year exiled to the West Coast office by Julian Sinclair, Willow Horgan called him for the first time.Over the line, she relayed everything the doctor had just told her about her mother's condition.A severe blood infection. It was critical, and she could slip away at any moment.She had to fly back to New York City immediately.Yet Julian couldn't have cared less. "Willow, you aren't a doctor," he replied, his tone chillingly dismissive.The implication was clear—her returning would be completely useless.She knew that perfectly well. She couldn't magically save anyone.But that was her mother. In a nightmare like this, all she wanted was to be by her side.So, even though she had always obeyed his every command without question, she mustered her courage. "I just want to go back and be with her. Don't worry, I'll only take a few days off. It won't affect my work."Perhaps surprised by her insistence, the man on the other end paused. After all, she had never dared to say no to him before.When he finally spoke, his voice was even colder. "She isn't dead yet."The sheer cruelty of his words hit her like a physical blow. Even accustomed to his icy demeanor, Willow couldn't stomach it. "You can't say something like that!"But Julian ignored her obvious distress. "Remember your place," he snapped with impatient disdain. "You don't have the right to speak to me that way."Just like every other moment over the past three years, he didn't care about her feelings, her thoughts, or her as a person.They were husband and wife on paper, but in reality, they were nothing more than strangers.Willow still couldn't understand it. He had been the one to propose, stepping in right after she had endured the worst trauma of her life. Even after finding out she couldn't have children, he had been the one to suggest adoption.A suffocating wave of despair washed over her. Swallowing her pride, she tried one last time. "Julian, please. I'm begging you, I just—""Enough." He cut her off, clearly at the end of his nonexistent patience. "You know how I operate. The matter is settled. If you want to fly to New York, you'll have to resign from Sinclair Group."With that, he hung up on her.Listening to the dial tone, Willow felt her chest tighten painfully.During her three years in Seattle, she hadn't taken a single day off. She had poured her blood, sweat, and tears into the company. Not only had she secured Sinclair Group's stronghold on the West Coast, but she had also spearheaded multiple biotech patents and groundbreaking technologies.She thought that even if he didn't value their marriage, he would at least respect her professional contributions.Clearly, she had been a fool.If that was how it had to be, then she would simply quit.She logged into the corporate portal, filled out the necessary forms, and hit submit without a second thought.Once it was done, she booked a red-eye flight to New York City.She landed at six in the morning.Upon arriving at the hospital, the specialist walked her through Martha's diagnosis.It was sudden-onset acute leukemia, cause unknown. While they had temporarily stabilized her, the situation was still incredibly dangerous. She would need aggressive chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. As for the medical bills, it would cost at least three hundred thousand dollars to get started.Looking at her mother's frail, exhausted figure in the hospital bed, a lump formed in Willow's throat.In truth, she wasn't biologically related to Martha or Benedict Horgan. She had been adopted as a little girl, but Martha had always loved her like her own flesh and blood.It seemed her mother had spent her entire life suffering—first working multiple jobs to raise her, then draining her savings to pay off Benedict's gambling debts. Even now, she had only been brought to the hospital because a neighbor happened to find her collapsed on the floor and called 911.Willow shuddered to think what would have happened if no one had found her in time.Because Martha was in a sterile isolation ward, the doctors didn't let Willow stay long. After running down the strict visiting protocols, they gently reminded her to secure the funds. A disease like this required a bottomless bank account.Sitting alone on a cold hospital bench, she mentally calculated her savings. Despite living a frugal life and skipping out on any luxuries, her meager salary meant she only had about forty-five thousand dollars to her name.Compared to the three hundred thousand dollars she needed, it was barely a drop in the bucket.With such a massive financial hurdle, she was out of options.After settling things at the hospital, she caught a cab straight to Emerald Heights.This was where Julian's luxury estate was located. Aside from the week they got married, this was only her second time stepping foot on the property.The housekeeper who answered the door didn't recognize her and insisted on checking with the owner first.Through the grand foyer, Willow could hear bright, cheerful laughter echoing from the living room. It was a woman and a young boy. The woman's voice was unfamiliar, but she assumed the child had to be Toby, the boy Julian had adopted.Thinking of the little boy softened her heart.Even though he wasn't biologically hers, and she had only ever seen photos of him, she was legally his mother. A natural maternal instinct tugged at her.She was just making a mental note to buy him a gift later when the laughter abruptly stopped. The housekeeper returned and ushered her inside. As Willow stepped into the expansive living room, she saw three people sitting on the custom sectional.Julian, Toby, and an elegantly dressed woman.Julian wore a perfectly tailored dark suit and a matching silk tie, his hair impeccably styled. His sharp, striking features and commanding posture radiated absolute authority. In the three years they had been apart, he had only grown more imposing and intensely intimidating.However, he made no effort to greet her. His gaze remained firmly locked on his phone, not even bothering to glance up. He had a stack of pending corporate approvals, which he swiped through and authorized without a second thought.The woman beside him stayed silent as well, raking a cool, assessing gaze over Willow. There was no confusion in her eyes—she clearly knew exactly who Willow was.It was Toby who finally broke the silence. "Mom, who is this lady? She looks so frumpy and heavy. Is she friends with you and Dad? Didn't you teach me that we only associate with high-class people? Why would you be friends with someone like her?"Kids possessed a brutal honesty that always cut the deepest.Willow flushed with embarrassment. Years of relentless overtime and skipping meals had wreaked havoc on her metabolism, causing her to put on quite a bit of weight since she last lived here.But far more shocking than the insult was the fact that Toby had just called the other woman "Mom."If that woman was his mother, then who the hell was Willow?Before Willow could find her voice, the elegant woman smiled gently and ruffled Toby's hair. "Toby, honey, didn't we talk about this? I'm not your mom. You're supposed to call me Aunt Vivienne. That lady over there is your mother."She pointed a manicured finger at Willow.Disgust twisted Toby's small features. He crossed his arms defensively and sneered. "No way! She's not my mom! I don't want a fat, ugly old lady for a mother! Kick her out!"A heavy, awkward silence descended over the room. Vivienne made no attempt to correct the boy; instead, she threw Willow a blatant look of challenge.Just as Willow opened her mouth, Julian finally spoke up. "Vivienne, take Toby upstairs."His tone was incredibly soft—a tenderness he had never once directed at Willow.A bitter taste coated Willow's tongue as realization dawned. This had to be Vivienne Sinclair, the Sinclair family's ward, Julian's adopted sister.Vivienne hadn't attended their impromptu wedding. Willow had known of her existence but had never met her until now. Seeing her in person, Willow noticed she shared Julian's icy, untouchable aura. But what was truly striking was how much her facial features resembled little Toby's.Vivienne happily complied, taking Toby by the hand and leading him up the grand staircase.Once they were out of earshot, Julian finally shifted his gaze to her. Their eyes locked in a silent clash.At that exact second, Willow's phone buzzed in her pocket. It was an automated email from HR—her resignation had just been officially approved.He had signed off on it that quickly?A sharp ache pierced her chest. He must have been waiting for the perfect excuse to get rid of her."Who gave you permission to come back to New York?" Julian demanded, his voice slicing through the tension.It was the same ruthlessly aloof tone he always used with her.This was the Julian she knew."I told you on the phone yesterday," Willow replied, forcing herself to look away so his freezing glare wouldn't shatter her resolve."And did I agree to it?""I told you, my mother is severely ill.""And?" He stared at her with zero empathy. "Is the firm supposed to bankroll your personal emotional crises?"He looked at her as if she were completely insignificant, stripping her down to nothing. "Report to the office and accept your disciplinary penalty."A penalty?She almost wanted to laugh. What point was there in disciplining her when she had just resigned? But arguing would only waste time, and she had far more pressing issues."I'll handle the HR paperwork later, but that's not why I'm here.""Whatever it is, tell the housekeeper." Julian checked his Rolex, clearly done with the conversation.Seeing him turn away, Willow abandoned all pretense. "I need money."Julian paused, a deep frown marring his perfect features. "How much?"His question sparked a desperate glimmer of hope inside her. Her tense shoulders dropped a fraction. "Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars."Afraid he might misunderstand, she quickly elaborated. "My mother is hospitalized. After draining my accounts, I'm still short by two hundred and fifty grand."She stared up at him pleadingly—this man who was supposedly her husband.He had to say yes, right? Beyond their professional ties, they were legally married.They had known each other since college, and he had been the one to propose. Surely, there was a tiny part of him that cared for her. She had loved him so purely and devotedly for the past three years; he had to have felt it. Besides, a couple of hundred grand was pocket change to a billionaire like him. He probably spent that much on custom suits in a season.But instead of agreeing, he let out a harsh scoff, dripping with mockery. "You're asking me for a handout, Willow? On what grounds?"The rejection hit her like a vicious slap across the face, shattering her fragile illusions.She was left reeling.On what grounds?How about the fact that she was his wife? Or that she had generated millions in profit for Sinclair Group? Or that she technically had a legal claim to half his assets? Weren't those reasons enough?Yet, staring into Julian's derisive, uncaring eyes, the words caught in her throat. Saying them aloud would only subject her to further humiliation."Just treat it as a loan. Please?""A loan? How exactly do you plan to pay it back?"She had already humbled herself, but he was still backing her into a corner. Panic clawed at her chest. "Then let me take an advance on my salary and my yearly bonus. Surely that covers it.""You know your own salary structure better than I do. You'll never cover that amount," Julian dismissed, his expression entirely bored.Hot tears threatened to spill over. "Julian, do you really have to be this cruel?""Cruel?" He looked down at her as if she were a panhandling stranger on the street. "You simply fail to understand the reality of our relationship."Relationship? What relationship? Weren't they bound by law? Or were they worse than strangers now?Chapter 2In her third year exiled to the West Coast office by Julian Sinclair, Willow Horgan called him for the first time.Over the line, she relayed everything the doctor had just told her about her mother's condition.A severe blood infection. It was critical, and she could slip away at any moment.She had to fly back to New York City immediately.Yet Julian couldn't have cared less. "Willow, you aren't a doctor," he replied, his tone chillingly dismissive.The implication was clear—her returning would be completely useless.She knew that perfectly well. She couldn't magically save anyone.But that was her mother. In a nightmare like this, all she wanted was to be by her side.So, even though she had always obeyed his every command without question, she mustered her courage. "I just want to go back and be with her. Don't worry, I'll only take a few days off. It won't affect my work."Perhaps surprised by her insistence, the man on the other end paused. After all, she had never dared to say no to him before.When he finally spoke, his voice was even colder. "She isn't dead yet."The sheer cruelty of his words hit her like a physical blow. Even accustomed to his icy demeanor, Willow couldn't stomach it. "You can't say something like that!"But Julian ignored her obvious distress. "Remember your place," he snapped with impatient disdain. "You don't have the right to speak to me that way."Just like every other moment over the past three years, he didn't care about her feelings, her thoughts, or her as a person.They were husband and wife on paper, but in reality, they were nothing more than strangers.Willow still couldn't understand it. He had been the one to propose, stepping in right after she had endured the worst trauma of her life. Even after finding out she couldn't have children, he had been the one to suggest adoption.A suffocating wave of despair washed over her. Swallowing her pride, she tried one last time. "Julian, please. I'm begging you, I just—""Enough." He cut her off, clearly at the end of his nonexistent patience. "You know how I operate. The matter is settled. If you want to fly to New York, you'll have to resign from Sinclair Group."With that, he hung up on her.Listening to the dial tone, Willow felt her chest tighten painfully.During her three years in Seattle, she hadn't taken a single day off. She had poured her blood, sweat, and tears into the company. Not only had she secured Sinclair Group's stronghold on the West Coast, but she had also spearheaded multiple biotech patents and groundbreaking technologies.She thought that even if he didn't value their marriage, he would at least respect her professional contributions.Clearly, she had been a fool.If that was how it had to be, then she would simply quit.She logged into the corporate portal, filled out the necessary forms, and hit submit without a second thought.Once it was done, she booked a red-eye flight to New York City.She landed at six in the morning.Upon arriving at the hospital, the specialist walked her through Martha's diagnosis.It was sudden-onset acute leukemia, cause unknown. While they had temporarily stabilized her, the situation was still incredibly dangerous. She would need aggressive chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. As for the medical bills, it would cost at least three hundred thousand dollars to get started.Looking at her mother's frail, exhausted figure in the hospital bed, a lump formed in Willow's throat.In truth, she wasn't biologically related to Martha or Benedict Horgan. She had been adopted as a little girl, but Martha had always loved her like her own flesh and blood.It seemed her mother had spent her entire life suffering—first working multiple jobs to raise her, then draining her savings to pay off Benedict's gambling debts. Even now, she had only been brought to the hospital because a neighbor happened to find her collapsed on the floor and called 911.Willow shuddered to think what would have happened if no one had found her in time.Because Martha was in a sterile isolation ward, the doctors didn't let Willow stay long. After running down the strict visiting protocols, they gently reminded her to secure the funds. A disease like this required a bottomless bank account.Sitting alone on a cold hospital bench, she mentally calculated her savings. Despite living a frugal life and skipping out on any luxuries, her meager salary meant she only had about forty-five thousand dollars to her name.Compared to the three hundred thousand dollars she needed, it was barely a drop in the bucket.With such a massive financial hurdle, she was out of options.After settling things at the hospital, she caught a cab straight to Emerald Heights.This was where Julian's luxury estate was located. Aside from the week they got married, this was only her second time stepping foot on the property.The housekeeper who answered the door didn't recognize her and insisted on checking with the owner first.Through the grand foyer, Willow could hear bright, cheerful laughter echoing from the living room. It was a woman and a young boy. The woman's voice was unfamiliar, but she assumed the child had to be Toby, the boy Julian had adopted.Thinking of the little boy softened her heart.Even though he wasn't biologically hers, and she had only ever seen photos of him, she was legally his mother. A natural maternal instinct tugged at her.She was just making a mental note to buy him a gift later when the laughter abruptly stopped. The housekeeper returned and ushered her inside. As Willow stepped into the expansive living room, she saw three people sitting on the custom sectional.Julian, Toby, and an elegantly dressed woman.Julian wore a perfectly tailored dark suit and a matching silk tie, his hair impeccably styled. His sharp, striking features and commanding posture radiated absolute authority. In the three years they had been apart, he had only grown more imposing and intensely intimidating.However, he made no effort to greet her. His gaze remained firmly locked on his phone, not even bothering to glance up. He had a stack of pending corporate approvals, which he swiped through and authorized without a second thought.The woman beside him stayed silent as well, raking a cool, assessing gaze over Willow. There was no confusion in her eyes—she clearly knew exactly who Willow was.It was Toby who finally broke the silence. "Mom, who is this lady? She looks so frumpy and heavy. Is she friends with you and Dad? Didn't you teach me that we only associate with high-class people? Why would you be friends with someone like her?"Kids possessed a brutal honesty that always cut the deepest.Willow flushed with embarrassment. Years of relentless overtime and skipping meals had wreaked havoc on her metabolism, causing her to put on quite a bit of weight since she last lived here.But far more shocking than the insult was the fact that Toby had just called the other woman "Mom."If that woman was his mother, then who the hell was Willow?Before Willow could find her voice, the elegant woman smiled gently and ruffled Toby's hair. "Toby, honey, didn't we talk about this? I'm not your mom. You're supposed to call me Aunt Vivienne. That lady over there is your mother."She pointed a manicured finger at Willow.Disgust twisted Toby's small features. He crossed his arms defensively and sneered. "No way! She's not my mom! I don't want a fat, ugly old lady for a mother! Kick her out!"A heavy, awkward silence descended over the room. Vivienne made no attempt to correct the boy; instead, she threw Willow a blatant look of challenge.Just as Willow opened her mouth, Julian finally spoke up. "Vivienne, take Toby upstairs."His tone was incredibly soft—a tenderness he had never once directed at Willow.A bitter taste coated Willow's tongue as realization dawned. This had to be Vivienne Sinclair, the Sinclair family's ward, Julian's adopted sister.Vivienne hadn't attended their impromptu wedding. Willow had known of her existence but had never met her until now. Seeing her in person, Willow noticed she shared Julian's icy, untouchable aura. But what was truly striking was how much her facial features resembled little Toby's.Vivienne happily complied, taking Toby by the hand and leading him up the grand staircase.Once they were out of earshot, Julian finally shifted his gaze to her. Their eyes locked in a silent clash.At that exact second, Willow's phone buzzed in her pocket. It was an automated email from HR—her resignation had just been officially approved.He had signed off on it that quickly?A sharp ache pierced her chest. He must have been waiting for the perfect excuse to get rid of her."Who gave you permission to come back to New York?" Julian demanded, his voice slicing through the tension.It was the same ruthlessly aloof tone he always used with her.This was the Julian she knew."I told you on the phone yesterday," Willow replied, forcing herself to look away so his freezing glare wouldn't shatter her resolve."And did I agree to it?""I told you, my mother is severely ill.""And?" He stared at her with zero empathy. "Is the firm supposed to bankroll your personal emotional crises?"He looked at her as if she were completely insignificant, stripping her down to nothing. "Report to the office and accept your disciplinary penalty."A penalty?She almost wanted to laugh. What point was there in disciplining her when she had just resigned? But arguing would only waste time, and she had far more pressing issues."I'll handle the HR paperwork later, but that's not why I'm here.""Whatever it is, tell the housekeeper." Julian checked his Rolex, clearly done with the conversation.Seeing him turn away, Willow abandoned all pretense. "I need money."Julian paused, a deep frown marring his perfect features. "How much?"His question sparked a desperate glimmer of hope inside her. Her tense shoulders dropped a fraction. "Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars."Afraid he might misunderstand, she quickly elaborated. "My mother is hospitalized. After draining my accounts, I'm still short by two hundred and fifty grand."She stared up at him pleadingly—this man who was supposedly her husband.He had to say yes, right? Beyond their professional ties, they were legally married.They had known each other since college, and he had been the one to propose. Surely, there was a tiny part of him that cared for her. She had loved him so purely and devotedly for the past three years; he had to have felt it. Besides, a couple of hundred grand was pocket change to a billionaire like him. He probably spent that much on custom suits in a season.But instead of agreeing, he let out a harsh scoff, dripping with mockery. "You're asking me for a handout, Willow? On what grounds?"The rejection hit her like a vicious slap across the face, shattering her fragile illusions.She was left reeling.On what grounds?How about the fact that she was his wife? Or that she had generated millions in profit for Sinclair Group? Or that she technically had a legal claim to half his assets? Weren't those reasons enough?Yet, staring into Julian's derisive, uncaring eyes, the words caught in her throat. Saying them aloud would only subject her to further humiliation."Just treat it as a loan. Please?""A loan? How exactly do you plan to pay it back?"She had already humbled herself, but he was still backing her into a corner. Panic clawed at her chest. "Then let me take an advance on my salary and my yearly bonus. Surely that covers it.""You know your own salary structure better than I do. You'll never cover that amount," Julian dismissed, his expression entirely bored.Hot tears threatened to spill over. "Julian, do you really have to be this cruel?""Cruel?" He looked down at her as if she were a panhandling stranger on the street. "You simply fail to understand the reality of our relationship."Relationship? What relationship? Weren't they bound by law? Or were they worse than strangers now?Chapter 3In her third year exiled to the West Coast office by Julian Sinclair, Willow Horgan called him for the first time.Over the line, she relayed everything the doctor had just told her about her mother's condition.A severe blood infection. It was critical, and she could slip away at any moment.She had to fly back to New York City immediately.Yet Julian couldn't have cared less. "Willow, you aren't a doctor," he replied, his tone chillingly dismissive.The implication was clear—her returning would be completely useless.She knew that perfectly well. She couldn't magically save anyone.But that was her mother. In a nightmare like this, all she wanted was to be by her side.So, even though she had always obeyed his every command without question, she mustered her courage. "I just want to go back and be with her. Don't worry, I'll only take a few days off. It won't affect my work."Perhaps surprised by her insistence, the man on the other end paused. After all, she had never dared to say no to him before.When he finally spoke, his voice was even colder. "She isn't dead yet."The sheer cruelty of his words hit her like a physical blow. Even accustomed to his icy demeanor, Willow couldn't stomach it. "You can't say something like that!"But Julian ignored her obvious distress. "Remember your place," he snapped with impatient disdain. "You don't have the right to speak to me that way."Just like every other moment over the past three years, he didn't care about her feelings, her thoughts, or her as a person.They were husband and wife on paper, but in reality, they were nothing more than strangers.Willow still couldn't understand it. He had been the one to propose, stepping in right after she had endured the worst trauma of her life. Even after finding out she couldn't have children, he had been the one to suggest adoption.A suffocating wave of despair washed over her. Swallowing her pride, she tried one last time. "Julian, please. I'm begging you, I just—""Enough." He cut her off, clearly at the end of his nonexistent patience. "You know how I operate. The matter is settled. If you want to fly to New York, you'll have to resign from Sinclair Group."With that, he hung up on her.Listening to the dial tone, Willow felt her chest tighten painfully.During her three years in Seattle, she hadn't taken a single day off. She had poured her blood, sweat, and tears into the company. Not only had she secured Sinclair Group's stronghold on the West Coast, but she had also spearheaded multiple biotech patents and groundbreaking technologies.She thought that even if he didn't value their marriage, he would at least respect her professional contributions.Clearly, she had been a fool.If that was how it had to be, then she would simply quit.She logged into the corporate portal, filled out the necessary forms, and hit submit without a second thought.Once it was done, she booked a red-eye flight to New York City.She landed at six in the morning.Upon arriving at the hospital, the specialist walked her through Martha's diagnosis.It was sudden-onset acute leukemia, cause unknown. While they had temporarily stabilized her, the situation was still incredibly dangerous. She would need aggressive chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. As for the medical bills, it would cost at least three hundred thousand dollars to get started.Looking at her mother's frail, exhausted figure in the hospital bed, a lump formed in Willow's throat.In truth, she wasn't biologically related to Martha or Benedict Horgan. She had been adopted as a little girl, but Martha had always loved her like her own flesh and blood.It seemed her mother had spent her entire life suffering—first working multiple jobs to raise her, then draining her savings to pay off Benedict's gambling debts. Even now, she had only been brought to the hospital because a neighbor happened to find her collapsed on the floor and called 911.Willow shuddered to think what would have happened if no one had found her in time.Because Martha was in a sterile isolation ward, the doctors didn't let Willow stay long. After running down the strict visiting protocols, they gently reminded her to secure the funds. A disease like this required a bottomless bank account.Sitting alone on a cold hospital bench, she mentally calculated her savings. Despite living a frugal life and skipping out on any luxuries, her meager salary meant she only had about forty-five thousand dollars to her name.Compared to the three hundred thousand dollars she needed, it was barely a drop in the bucket.With such a massive financial hurdle, she was out of options.After settling things at the hospital, she caught a cab straight to Emerald Heights.This was where Julian's luxury estate was located. Aside from the week they got married, this was only her second time stepping foot on the property.The housekeeper who answered the door didn't recognize her and insisted on checking with the owner first.Through the grand foyer, Willow could hear bright, cheerful laughter echoing from the living room. It was a woman and a young boy. The woman's voice was unfamiliar, but she assumed the child had to be Toby, the boy Julian had adopted.Thinking of the little boy softened her heart.Even though he wasn't biologically hers, and she had only ever seen photos of him, she was legally his mother. A natural maternal instinct tugged at her.She was just making a mental note to buy him a gift later when the laughter abruptly stopped. The housekeeper returned and ushered her inside. As Willow stepped into the expansive living room, she saw three people sitting on the custom sectional.Julian, Toby, and an elegantly dressed woman.Julian wore a perfectly tailored dark suit and a matching silk tie, his hair impeccably styled. His sharp, striking features and commanding posture radiated absolute authority. In the three years they had been apart, he had only grown more imposing and intensely intimidating.However, he made no effort to greet her. His gaze remained firmly locked on his phone, not even bothering to glance up. He had a stack of pending corporate approvals, which he swiped through and authorized without a second thought.The woman beside him stayed silent as well, raking a cool, assessing gaze over Willow. There was no confusion in her eyes—she clearly knew exactly who Willow was.It was Toby who finally broke the silence. "Mom, who is this lady? She looks so frumpy and heavy. Is she friends with you and Dad? Didn't you teach me that we only associate with high-class people? Why would you be friends with someone like her?"Kids possessed a brutal honesty that always cut the deepest.Willow flushed with embarrassment. Years of relentless overtime and skipping meals had wreaked havoc on her metabolism, causing her to put on quite a bit of weight since she last lived here.But far more shocking than the insult was the fact that Toby had just called the other woman "Mom."If that woman was his mother, then who the hell was Willow?Before Willow could find her voice, the elegant woman smiled gently and ruffled Toby's hair. "Toby, honey, didn't we talk about this? I'm not your mom. You're supposed to call me Aunt Vivienne. That lady over there is your mother."She pointed a manicured finger at Willow.Disgust twisted Toby's small features. He crossed his arms defensively and sneered. "No way! She's not my mom! I don't want a fat, ugly old lady for a mother! Kick her out!"A heavy, awkward silence descended over the room. Vivienne made no attempt to correct the boy; instead, she threw Willow a blatant look of challenge.Just as Willow opened her mouth, Julian finally spoke up. "Vivienne, take Toby upstairs."His tone was incredibly soft—a tenderness he had never once directed at Willow.A bitter taste coated Willow's tongue as realization dawned. This had to be Vivienne Sinclair, the Sinclair family's ward, Julian's adopted sister.Vivienne hadn't attended their impromptu wedding. Willow had known of her existence but had never met her until now. Seeing her in person, Willow noticed she shared Julian's icy, untouchable aura. But what was truly striking was how much her facial features resembled little Toby's.Vivienne happily complied, taking Toby by the hand and leading him up the grand staircase.Once they were out of earshot, Julian finally shifted his gaze to her. Their eyes locked in a silent clash.At that exact second, Willow's phone buzzed in her pocket. It was an automated email from HR—her resignation had just been officially approved.He had signed off on it that quickly?A sharp ache pierced her chest. He must have been waiting for the perfect excuse to get rid of her."Who gave you permission to come back to New York?" Julian demanded, his voice slicing through the tension.It was the same ruthlessly aloof tone he always used with her.This was the Julian she knew."I told you on the phone yesterday," Willow replied, forcing herself to look away so his freezing glare wouldn't shatter her resolve."And did I agree to it?""I told you, my mother is severely ill.""And?" He stared at her with zero empathy. "Is the firm supposed to bankroll your personal emotional crises?"He looked at her as if she were completely insignificant, stripping her down to nothing. "Report to the office and accept your disciplinary penalty."A penalty?She almost wanted to laugh. What point was there in disciplining her when she had just resigned? But arguing would only waste time, and she had far more pressing issues."I'll handle the HR paperwork later, but that's not why I'm here.""Whatever it is, tell the housekeeper." Julian checked his Rolex, clearly done with the conversation.Seeing him turn away, Willow abandoned all pretense. "I need money."Julian paused, a deep frown marring his perfect features. "How much?"His question sparked a desperate glimmer of hope inside her. Her tense shoulders dropped a fraction. "Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars."Afraid he might misunderstand, she quickly elaborated. "My mother is hospitalized. After draining my accounts, I'm still short by two hundred and fifty grand."She stared up at him pleadingly—this man who was supposedly her husband.He had to say yes, right? Beyond their professional ties, they were legally married.They had known each other since college, and he had been the one to propose. Surely, there was a tiny part of him that cared for her. She had loved him so purely and devotedly for the past three years; he had to have felt it. Besides, a couple of hundred grand was pocket change to a billionaire like him. He probably spent that much on custom suits in a season.But instead of agreeing, he let out a harsh scoff, dripping with mockery. "You're asking me for a handout, Willow? On what grounds?"The rejection hit her like a vicious slap across the face, shattering her fragile illusions.She was left reeling.On what grounds?How about the fact that she was his wife? Or that she had generated millions in profit for Sinclair Group? Or that she technically had a legal claim to half his assets? Weren't those reasons enough?Yet, staring into Julian's derisive, uncaring eyes, the words caught in her throat. Saying them aloud would only subject her to further humiliation."Just treat it as a loan. Please?""A loan? How exactly do you plan to pay it back?"She had already humbled herself, but he was still backing her into a corner. Panic clawed at her chest. "Then let me take an advance on my salary and my yearly bonus. Surely that covers it.""You know your own salary structure better than I do. You'll never cover that amount," Julian dismissed, his expression entirely bored.Hot tears threatened to spill over. "Julian, do you really have to be this cruel?""Cruel?" He looked down at her as if she were a panhandling stranger on the street. "You simply fail to understand the reality of our relationship."Relationship? What relationship? Weren't they bound by law? Or were they worse than strangers now?