His New Family

At a college reunion, my husband had a last-minute emergency and couldn't make it, asking me to go in his place.

As I pushed open the door to the private room, I walked right into an announcement from an old classmate, Miranda Hayes.

Yes, its what youve all been thinking! Eason and I got together right after graduation, and we even have an adorable daughter!

Eason. Isn't that my husband's name?

Before I could voice my confusion, Miranda extended an invitation to all our old classmates.

Next month, on the tenth, Eason and I are having our wedding ceremony. You all have to come!

The room erupted in cheers as everyone congratulated the old sweethearts.

I pulled out my phone and double-checked my calendar.

Isn't the tenth of next month the date of my wedding to Eason Forbes?

If she's the bride, then who am I?

I immediately called my husband.

I just heard youve been secretly married with a daughter. How come I didnt know?

Eason sounded like he was about to have a panic attack, vehemently denying it.

Im only married to you! I dont know anyone else, and I definitely dont have a daughter. Please, dont misunderstand!

I hung up with a chillingly calm smile and walked toward the happy mother and daughter.

1

The moment I stepped onto the small stage they had set up, the cheering died. Miranda looked at me, confused.

Maam, I think youre in the wrong room. Ive never seen you before.

I scanned the fifty or so people in the room. The details matched what Eason had told me.

College reunion, room K67, approximately fifty guests.

This was the right place.

And I was one hundred percent certain that among these fifty people, only my husband was named Eason Forbes.

I had heard Mirandas entire announcement. Now, I needed to confirm what I couldn't believe.

Hello, my name is Chloe Staton. Im Eason Forbess wife. He couldnt make it tonight, so I came in his place.

I just heard youre also married to an Eason Forbes and have a daughter with him. Is that true?

Mirandas face went pale. She looked utterly lost.

The four-year-old girl beside her glared at me, tugging on her mothers dress. Mommy, that lady is scary. When is Daddy coming to pick us up?

Miranda looked down, softly comforting her daughter, before turning back to me, her voice regaining some composure.

Miss Staton, perhaps its just a strange coincidence. My fianc is also named Eason Forbes. Hes the sole heir to the Forbes Corporation, and this is his daughter, our little Gigi.

Were having our wedding next month at the Forbes Grand Hotel. I hope you can make it.

She didnt ask about my identity, instead using her Eason Forbess status as a shield.

The old classmates, naturally, sided with one of their own. The murmurs started.

Eason and Miranda were each others first love. Where did this woman come from? Ive never seen her on his social media.

You dont get it. How many women are chasing after the heir to the Forbes Corporation? Shes probably just another obsessed stalker.

Poor Miranda. Already married with a child, and she still has to deal with shameless homewreckers like this.

In their narrative, I was the jealous, vindictive shrew.

And Miranda was the innocent victim.

The absurdity of it almost made me laugh.

For a moment, Mirandas confidence had made me second-guess myself. Maybe I had made a terrible mistake.

But the mention of sole heir to the Forbes Corporation and wedding at the Forbes Grand Hotel erased all doubt.

The man she was talking about was my husband, Eason Forbes.

If she was the bride getting married at the Forbes Grand Hotel on the tenth of next month, then who was I?

Since we both have our stories, I said, my voice ringing with newfound clarity, why dont we call our respective husbands and have them come down here? Lets see whos telling the truth.

Lets see who the liar is.

I smiled at Miranda, watching her every reaction.

And I could see the panic rising in her eyes.

2

I already told you, my fianc is the heir to the Forbes Corporation. Hes a very busy man. Arent my daughter and I proof enough?

Chloe Staton, I have never seen you before in my life. What is your problem with me? Why are you doing this?

As she spoke, Miranda managed to squeeze out a few tears. She pulled out her phone, feigning distress as she texted her fianc.

She deliberately angled her phone so everyone could see her lock screen: a happy family photo of the three of them. Then she opened her messages.

[Honey, some crazy woman showed up at the reunion and started a fight with me. Gigi is so scared, shes crying]

She was putting on a show, and I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.

For a split second, I wished, I prayed, that I was wrong.

But then, Easons voice filled the room from her phone.

[Dont worry, sweetheart. Dont be scared. Shes just some nobody. Ignore her.]

[Ill be there to pick you and Gigi up as soon as Im done with this meeting.]

Miranda played the voice message on speaker, for my benefit.

The room erupted in a chorus of oohs and aahs.

Thats not fair! This is a class reunion, not your personal romance movie!

Oh my god, they were so sweet in college, and theyre even sweeter now!

Eason Forbes, the ultimate doting husband. It was never just a rumor!

The chatter and teasing swirled around me. I was the clown in their circus.

Three years ago, Eason and I had a quiet, arranged marriage, registered at the courthouse but kept secret. We had no children.

The official reason was that we were both too busy. So busy, in fact, that we didnt even have three photos together.

Eason always said he felt guilty about it. At the beginning of the year, he had taken my hand and promised me:

Chloe, youve put up with so much since we got married.

This year, once the Forbes and Staton corporations merge and expand, Ill throw you a proper wedding. You can finally take a break, okay?

Back then, his words had warmed my heart. I thought I was the luckiest woman in the world.

How ironic it all seemed now.

My hands were shaking with rage. I was about to call him, to demand an explanation, when Mirandas daughter, who had somehow ended up at my feet, suddenly tripped and fell.

She let out a piercing wail.

Miranda flew at me like a woman possessed, hitting and scratching.

You bitch! How dare you touch my daughter! If Eason finds out, hell have you killed!

I almost laughed.

Have the second daughter of the Staton family killed? Even if you gave the Forbess a hundred times their courage, they wouldnt dare.

I was now certain Eason was hiding something. My patience for Miranda and her daughter was gone.

I grabbed her wrist, my grip tightening.

I forgot to mention, my husband, Eason Forbes, is also the sole heir to the Forbes Corporation. And we are legally married.

So, what does that make you?

His mistress?

My words hit their mark. Miranda crumbled, slumping to the floor in a heap of tears and pain.

She wailed to her old classmates, This crazy woman is spreading lies! I cant take it anymore!

By now, the audience was getting restless.

They had seen enough of the show to piece together their own version of the story.

I was the mistress, jealous of the rightful wife, here to cause a scene.

The class president, who had organized the event, dropped all pretense of politeness and called security.

How did this woman get in without an invitation? Get her out of here!

I struggled, but the two burly guards dragged me out by my hair.

From the floor, Miranda shot me a triumphant, mocking smirk.

Just as the chaos reached its peak, a car pulled up. Eason had arrived.

3

Chloe?

The class president froze. I froze. The room fell silent.

Eason, buddy! We thought you werent coming! What took you so long?

You have no idea what your wife and daughter just went through. It was all because of this crazy woman!

Dont worry, though. We had security throw her out.

The class president explained, but Easons face had gone dark.

He rushed over, scooped me into his arms, and carried me toward his car, his voice a low growl.

If anything happens to my wife, every single one of you will be held responsible.

He held me tight, his voice filled with a fear I hadn't heard before.

Im so sorry, Chloe. Im late.

That woman inside, Miranda, and her daughter I barely know them. We never even spoke in college. I have no idea whats going on.

Ill take you to the hospital first. Ill handle the rest. I promise Ill make this right.

He kissed my forehead, his expression fraught with worry.

Normally, I would have trusted him without a second thought.

But now, I hesitated.

That four-year-old girl her features were too familiar. A knot of dread tightened in my stomach.

I grabbed his hand, my voice insistent.

You dont know Miranda, right?

Swear to me youre not lying.

He turned his hand, his fingers lacing with mine, his gaze unwavering.

I swear on the legacy of the Forbes family. I am only married to you. I have never loved anyone else.

Dont worry. Let Mr. Hayes take you to the hospital.

He closed the car door, instructing his driver to take me for a check-up.

Halfway there, I stopped the car. My voice was flat, emotionless.

Turn around.

Outside the exclusive club, the crowd had dispersed. No one wanted to get involved in the Forbes family drama.

Only a woman and a four-year-old girl stood at the entrance.

Eason stood opposite Miranda, his voice like ice.

Ms. Hayes, I have no issue with you. Why are you harassing my wife?

And for the record, I have no relationship with you, and I certainly do not have a daughter. If you continue to spread these rumors, you will face the consequences.

Miranda stared at him, her body rigid. The little girl beside her, who had been trying to be brave, suddenly burst into tears and clung to Easons leg.

Daddy why dont you want Mommy anymore? I hate you!

A look of disgust crossed Easons face. He instinctively pulled away.

He muttered something to his assistant, then turned and walked away without a backward glance.

The assistant spoke to Miranda and her daughter with undisguised contempt.

The only Mrs. Forbes is Chloe Staton. You cant just show up with a child and expect to claim a spot in the family. Get lost.

Mirandas eyes were red with tears, her face a mask of confusion.

From inside the car, I watched the scene unfold. Mr. Hayes, the driver, sighed.

The Forbes Corporation has been struggling lately. A lot of competitors are looking for any weakness to exploit.

Mr. Forbes cares deeply for you, maam. He would never cheat on you.

I can vouch for that. This mother and daughter must have been sent by a rival to cause trouble.

Mr. Hayes had watched Eason grow up. His words carried weight.

I let my guard down and managed a small smile.

If you say so, Mr. Hayes, then I have no reason to doubt my husband. Please, take me to the hospital.

By the way, I added, as if it were an afterthought, are all the arrangements for the wedding next month finalized?

Mr. Hayess face lit up.

Mr. Forbes is taking the wedding very seriously, maam. Hes invited all the biggest names in the business world. He wants to give you the grandest wedding the city has ever seen

I nodded, leaning back against the seat, suddenly exhausted.

It was almost eleven when I got home. The housekeeper met me at the door.

Maam, Mr. Forbes called. He said theres an emergency at the office and he wont be home tonight. He said you should get some rest.

Okay. Tell him to take care of himself.

At two in the morning, I lay in the vast, empty bed, wide awake.

The images of Miranda and her daughter replayed in my mind.

Just a setup to cause trouble?

I scoffed. Just then, my phone vibrated. A new message.

It was a video, from Miranda.

In the video, she was cuddling with her daughter in Easons arms, asking him playfully, For our next baby, do you want a boy or a girl?

Eason, with a tenderness I had never seen, smiled and said, As long as its yours, Ill love it.

Gigi jumped into his lap with a bag of chips, whining, Daddy, open!

Watching this happy little family, I felt a wave of disbelief.

Was this the same man who always told me he hated kids?

How ironic. Even now, he was still lying, still trying to hide it.

My phone buzzed again. A text from a private investigator.

[The Staton Hotel, Room 301.]

I let out a bitter laugh. They were so shameless, carrying on their affair in my familys hotel.

Eason Forbes, lets see you explain your way out of this one.

[Get all the evidence. Im going to give them a wedding gift theyll never forget.]

At five, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, an arm wrapped around my waist from behind.

It was cold.

It smelled of freshly washed soap.

Honey, youre so warm. Having you here Im so happy

I opened my eyes, which had been open all night, and my heart felt like it had been carved out of my chest.

The pain was a dull, numb ache.

This time, I didn't say a word back to him.