Chapter 1 The day my wife gave birth was the day I learned the child wasn't mine . I overheard her and her mother talking in the hospital room . Her mother hissed , " I told you to get rid of it . What will you do when Steven finds out ? " My wife replied weakly , " What his father did doesn't matter . I married into the Smiths . Let me keep this one piece of Evan . Once the baby is born , I'll give Steven a true heir . He'll forgive me . " Each word felt like ice . I stood frozen outside , then walked away silently . I waited until she delivered healthy twins . As congratulations filled the room , my grandfather's assistant , Mr. Carter , arrived sternly . " The Smith family has a tradition , " he announced . " All newborns must take a paternity test immediately ." Amanda's face went pale . " That ... is that really necessary ? They're so tiny , just born . A test would be so hard on them ! Steven ... tell them , wouldn't it ? " I stood at the back of the crowd , watching as she turned those familiar , heart - melting eyes on me . In the past , a single look like that could make me surrender any principle , cross any line . But the words I'd overheard - those gut - wrenching , treacherous words - were still ringing in my ears , making her current performa- nce a bitter farce . " It's tradition . No one is exempt , " I said , my voice perfectly calm , devoid of any ripple of emotion . My gaze swept coolly over the stunned faces in the room . " Mr. Carter , please arrange for the samples to be taken now . Deliver the results directly to this room as soon as they're ready . " A dead silence fell over the room . Relatives exchanged uneasy glances , the air crackling with a tension so thick you could taste it . Everyone sensed something was terribly wrong , but no one dared to speak . Amanda's fingers dug into the bedsheets , her knuckles turning white . She bit her lip , her voice trembling with disbelief as she chal- lenged me . " Steven Smith , what is the meaning of this ? Do you really trust me so little ?! " Her eyes , rimmed with red , locked onto mine , a perfect portrait of a wounded heart . Even now , at the bitter end , she was still trying to play me . A ghost of a cold smile touched my lips . " I'm simply following the rules . Unless ... unless you have a reason to be afraid , Amanda ? Do you already know , deep down , that these children aren't mine ? "