Semua Bab Rediscovering My Roots After Divorce: Bab 1 - Bab 10

I met Owen Wade in college, and we started dating after graduation.My paycheck after graduation was pretty slim. I was barely getting by, and the best I could afford was renting a place in a half-finished building.Owen and I worked at the same company, and he'd drive me home after work every day. He'd always get me a little something on holidays, and even if he couldn't swing that, he'd at least take me out for tacos.I grew up without parents, money, or connections—just Grandma to lean on. People talked behind me when I was a kid, saying I was just some stray kid Grandma took in, but I never believed them.After she passed, I lost the only family I had. Since then, I'd longed for a place I could call home.Since I didn't get much love or attention growing up, I started leaning on Owen more and more. When we were dating, he was sweet, thoughtful, and always careful with my feelings.He never judged my family or where I came from. I was young then and mistook that basic kindness

I stepped out of the car and finally saw the woman's face. It was Owen's second cousin, Serena Lambert. But I couldn't make sense of it. Why would Owen be with her at a prenatal checkup?I was just about to head into the hospital to figure things out when my phone went off. I checked the screen and saw a call from the police station."Hello, is this Paige Zeller?" an officer asked."Yes, this is Paige. What's this about?""After going over your recent medical examination report, we found that your blood type matches a missing girl's. She's been gone for years, and the match is 99%. Do you have time to visit and discuss this?"My heart skipped a beat. I pushed thoughts of Owen and Serena aside and headed straight for the police station.Before Grandma passed away, she told me we weren't related by blood. She found me on her way home from the city, where she'd gone to get medicine. She didn't have anyone else, so she brought me home.Grandma also gave me a pendant. She said it was

Owen also posted a picture on Instagram of himself kissing Serena's pregnant belly. His caption read, "I'm going to be a dad!"I laughed, pulled out the medical examination report from my bag, took a picture of it, and sent it to the group chat.Then, I posted it on Instagram with the caption, "I'm not sticking around for a guy who can't have kids. I'm an only child, so yeah."After I left the group chat, Owen wouldn't stop calling me on WhatsApp and my phone. I didn't even bother checking and blocked him right away.…I'd been focused on getting back to work for two months after the divorce.One morning, Mom stopped by. She gently stroked my hair, sounding worried as she said, "I've got you a spa appointment this afternoon, Elle. You need to relax. Don't burn yourself out."I paused, realizing that ever since my last marriage, I'd been stuck in a routine of housework, with no time for myself or to really live.My eyes started to well up. "Okay. Thanks, Mom."Was that what it

The staff here knew Cromwell Group owned the restaurant and the Cromwells were here for a family dinner to celebrate my return.Serena's mother stormed up to the security guard and shoved him. "Do you want to get fired? Why haven't you kicked her out yet? Don't make me report you!"I raised an eyebrow and smiled at the guard."Miss, would you like me to remove them?" he asked.Mildred jumped in, thinking it was directed at her. "Get rid of her already! She's such an eyesore."I nodded. "Exactly, get them out of here. They're ruining the vibe."The guard called for backup, and before long, three more guards arrived. They took Mildred and Serena's mother by the arms and escorted them out.Mildred and Serena's mother didn't see this coming and began yelling Owen's name as loud as they could.Less than two minutes later, Owen came running out, looking confused and shocked. "Paige? What are you guys doing? Let go of my mom!"I waved and said, "Sorry, but I'm not Paige. My real name

I nodded in response. "Yeah, it's me. What's the problem?"I grabbed a pack of pads and headed to the checkout, but Serena came charging at me like a shrew. She yanked my hair from behind and screamed, "You shameless bitch! You've ruined my family! You should just die!"I pulled her hand off my hair, and a few strands got caught in her grip. I ran my fingers through my hair to fix it before slapping her hard."If anyone's wrecking families, it's you! And if anyone deserves to die, it's you! Do you actually believe I won't hit you just because you're pregnant? Look at the cameras above you. This is self-defense!" I snapped.Her bloodshot eyes widened with rage, and her face twisted into a horrible snarl. She clutched her cheek and hissed through gritted teeth, "You dirty bitch… I swear, I'll kill you!"A chill ran through me, and I instinctively stepped back.Suddenly, Serena grabbed a bottle and splashed whatever was inside at me. I didn't react fast enough, but luckily, someone