Chapter 2 A Larger Version of Her Son

Five years later. The airport announcement echoed through the terminal, signaling the arrival of the flight. Moments later, passengers began streaming out of the security checkpoint. "Mommy, it's so hot! I want some ice cream," a small, adorable voice chimed in. Arthur Scott clutched his mother's hand, his large, round, dark eyes glistening as he gazed up at her. Jessica let out a sigh of resignation. She knew that pleading look all too well—he was faking it. But despite knowing the act, she still couldn't bring herself to say no. "Only one cone," Jessica said, pulling a bill from her wallet and handing it to him. She reminded him firmly, "Buy it quickly and come right back. I'll be waiting here." She adjusted her grip on her luggage. "Yes, Mommy!" Arthur grinned, blowing her a playful kiss before dashing off like a little whirlwind, the money clutched tightly in his hand. Jessica was about to call out for him to slow down, but just then, her phone rang. "Hello? Selena? Yes, I just landed ... Okay, I'll grab a taxi and head over now." It was her best friend, Selena Winslow. Back in college, she, Rhea, and Selena had been roommates—best friends who were practically inseparable. They had once promised to be each other's guardian angels for life. But five years ago, that wedding had shattered everything. Rhea's betrayal had exposed her true nature, irreparably destroying their friendship. Only Selena had remained truly loyal to her, keeping in touch throughout the years she had been away. Now that she was back, Selena had insisted she and her son stay with her. As Jessica ended the call, her gaze unintentionally landed on the large screen in front of her, where a news broadcast was playing—"Mr. Hugh and Mrs. Hensley to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary on the 26th." The words felt like a slap to the face, piercing her heart. Mrs. Hensley? Had he actually tied the knot with Rhea?! Five years had flown by in an instant, yet the disgrace she suffered back then remained etched in her memory. On the night of Hugh's birthday, Rhea had tricked her into drinking too much, then sent her to a hotel under the pretense that Hugh was waiting for her there. But in the end, she had been ruthlessly betrayed—Rhea had not only taken her place at the wedding but stole everything that was meant to be hers. If it hadn't been for the baby growing inside her and those scandalous photos spreading like wildfire, she never would have been forced to leave the place she once called home. Now that she had returned, she was determined to reclaim the justice she rightfully deserved! "Hey, kid! Watch where you're going! Who do you belong to?" an annoyed voice suddenly snapped from nearby. Snapped out of her thoughts, Jessica quickly turned her head—only to be taken aback by what she saw next. It was her son. The little guy was clutching the ice cream he had just bought, his small face filled with surprise. He must have been too eager while running back and accidentally crashed into someone. She rushed over, pulled her son back, and immediately noticed the large smear of ice cream on the man's pants. Guilt flooded through her. "I'm so sorry! He was running too fast," she apologized hurriedly, grabbing some tissues. "Let me clean it up for you." As she reached out to wipe the stain, a strong hand suddenly gripped her wrist. A deep, icy voice came from above. "What do you think you're doing?" The chilling tone sent a shiver down her spine. Startled, she instinctively looked up—only to be met with a pair of sharp, piercing black eyes. She inhaled sharply, and for the first time, she took in the man's face clearly. The strikingly cold and distinguished face before her ... was it just her imagination, or did he look like an older version of her son? For a brief moment, she was frozen in place, her mind overwhelmed with shock. "Have you stared enough?" The man shook off her hand, his voice laced with frost. Snapping back to reality, Jessica was still reeling from the striking resemblance. Could this man really be her son's biological father? No ... That was impossible. The world wasn't that small. There was no way she'd just stumble upon her child's father by sheer coincidence. She convinced herself it was just a coincidence—her son only shared a few similar features with this man, nothing more. Pushing the thought aside, she forced a strained smile. "I'm really sorry about this. How about I compensate you? You can buy a new pair of pants," she offered. Only then did she notice where the ice cream had landed—right next to his zipper. No wonder he had stopped her from wiping it off. Her face heated as she realized she had almost touched such a ... sensitive spot.