“Everyone,” he announced, “today is not only my son’s birthday. Today, I want to introduce the woman who should have been beside him from the beginning—Valerie, Leo’s real mother.”

The garden fell silent.

My heart nearly stopped.

Part 2

Valerie smiled as if she had already won.

She took the microphone and said, “I’m sorry, Andrea, but Leo is my child. Five years ago, Marco and I had a baby. You couldn’t have one, so you paid me to disappear. But now I want my son back.”

Gasps spread through the guests.

My parents looked shocked. My business partners whispered among themselves.

Valerie knelt and opened her arms toward Leo.

“Come here, sweetheart. Come to your real mommy.”

Leo stood near the stage, clutching his toy car. I was about to defend myself, but before I could say a word, my little boy stepped back.

He looked at Valerie with fear and anger.

“You’re not my mama!” Leo shouted.

Everyone froze.

Then he pointed at her and said, “You’re the bad lady I saw in Papa’s room yesterday.”

Marco’s face changed instantly.