Chapter 1

The lively atmosphere of the restaurant buzzed around Alan Walker, the clinking of silverware and soft murmurs of other patrons creating a soothing backdrop to his tumultuous mind. The divorce proceedings with Emily were going on full swing, and her frantic efforts to mend their broken marriage only served as a stark reminder of the shattered pieces of his once-happy life. Five years of marriage, five years of love and laughter, had crumbled within a mere two months under the weight of her affair with Victor, her new boss. Victor, the man who had wormed his way into Emily’s heart and torn apart Alan’s world. The sting of Emily’s betrayal burned like an open wound, hardening his heart and fueling his desire for revenge against Victor. Amidst the chaos of his crumbling marriage and the legal battles, Alan found himself yearning for peace, longing for a chance to forgive and forget, to erase the pain and start anew. Yet, the raw, searing hurt of Emily’s infidelity made it impossible to let go. His once-loving heart, now encased in a fortress of stone, beat with a fierce determination to protect itself from further harm.

As Alan’s thoughts threatened to consume him, a voice sliced through the fog of his mind, snapping him back to the present. “Hello, Alan,” the soothing voice whispered, belonging to a woman who embodied pure, mesmerising beauty. It was Linda, the woman who had given birth to him, only to abandon him like a forgotten toy, and yet, in that fleeting moment, he found himself drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Linda was a true vision of beauty, her brown hair, tumbled in soft waves, cascading over her shoulders and framing her flawless, porcelain complexion. Her skin, smooth as the finest silk, seemed to glow under the soft, warm lighting of the restaurant, accentuating her high cheekbones and delicate jawline, a sculptor’s dream. But it was her eyes that held him captive, a deep shade of sapphire, sparkling with an intensity that pierced straight into his soul. Those eyes could ensnare any man, pulling him into a trance where he would forget his own name, his own existence. Her full, pink lips curved into a mysterious smile, hinting at secrets and desires that lay hidden beneath her elegant exterior. The form-fitting dress she wore hugged her curves in all the right places, emphasising her curvy figure, a silhouette that left little to the imagination. Her breasts swelled beneath the fabric, their fullness a tantalising sight that made Alan’s heart race and his breath quicken.

Alan remained frozen in place, his eyes locked with hers, a connection that felt both familiar and forbidden. It had been a decade since he had discovered his mother’s identity through the private investigator’s report, and yet, she looked no different from the photo he’d seen ten years ago. Time seemed to have forgotten her, standing still for this enigmatic woman. In that moment, Alan felt a rush of conflicting emotions washing over him. Resentment for the years of abandonment, the pain of being left behind, and the unanswered questions that haunted him. Yet, there was also a curious yearning, a desire to understand why she had come back into his life, and an undeniable attraction to this mysterious woman who had given birth to him. Back then, he had wrestled with the idea of confronting her, exposing her for her abandonment, but in the end, he had decided against it. What was the point of seeking revenge on someone who had already chosen to walk away? But now, as he stood face to face with her, he couldn’t help but wonder if he would finally get the answers he had craved for so long.

“Alan, allow me to introduce myself,” she purred, her voice as smooth as silk sliding over his skin. “I am Linda Wells, Victor Wells’ mother.” Linda’s words hit Alan like a lightning bolt, causing his world to spin off its axis. The revelation struck him with such force that he could almost feel the ground shift beneath his feet. Victor, the man who had shattered his life, was not just some stranger, but his half-brother. The realisation left Alan reeling, his mind struggling to process this new and disturbing truth. His mother, the woman who had abandoned him, was here not to reconnect or seek forgiveness, but to protect her other son, his own flesh and blood. Alan’s stomach churned with a tempest of emotions—anger, betrayal, and a sickening sense of irony. Emily, the woman he had loved, had fallen into the arms of his half-brother, a man he had never known existed. The affair now took on a whole new level of complexity, twisting his heart in ways he couldn’t begin to comprehend. He felt a surge of resentment towards Linda, who stood before him, oblivious to the turmoil she had just unleashed. Her mere presence mocked him, a cruel reminder of the family he never had, the love he never received, and the betrayal that now ran in his blood.

“Look, Alan, I know you’re hurt, but you can’t blame my son for the affair. He’s handsome, and women find him irresistible. Your wife was no different. You can’t blame him for her slutty behaviour.” Linda’s words were like salt on an open wound, which made Alan’s blood boil. This wasn’t how he had imagined a reunion with his mother, if he ever imagined it at all.

“Look at yourself,” Linda purred, her tone dripping with scorn as she surveyed him from head to toe with a dismissive glance. “You don’t possess any good looks, do you? It’s no wonder your wife strayed. She simply went for what was best for her.” Her words were like poison, striking at the heart of his insecurities, making him feel small and insignificant. Alan’s gaze dropped, his eyes narrowing as he fought the urge to lash out. He saw past her mesmerising beauty, past the elegant exterior, and realised there was a cold, cruel heart beating beneath. How could a mother, a woman who should be filled with love and compassion, demean a human being, so callously?