Six years later, Havenport Train Station.

As soon as Elena stepped off the train with her three sons, people started staring.

She was dressed simply, no makeup, but still drop-dead gorgeous. There was something about her—every little smile and glance made people stop in their tracks.

And the kids? Pure heart-melters.

Big, round eyes sparkled behind their tiny masks. Long lashes fluttered like butterflies. They were just too cute to handle.

Another "got tricked into having babies" story? Some passersby whispered.

But Elena didn't care about the stares. She stood quietly at the exit, looking around at the city she once called home. Everything felt familiar… and yet so distant.

Six years ago, Damien had thrown her under the bus with one line, "She's a cheater."

A month later, she found out she was pregnant. That just confirmed his accusation. The gossip nearly drowned her.

Her adoptive parents were disgusted. She'd become useless in their eyes—so they cut ties and kicked her out.

She knew the baby wasn't Damien's. It was that stranger's.

She thought about getting an abortion, God knows she did… but in the end, she couldn't go through with it.

It was her child. Flesh and blood.

That baby had chosen her to be his mom. That meant something. No matter how hard it would be, she'd raise him.

For their future, she left Havenport and moved to the countryside, far away from the scandal.

Life as a pregnant woman on her own was hell. Finding a job? Nearly impossible. No boss wanted to hire a pregnant woman.

But she couldn't not work—she needed money.

For food. For the hospital. For baby formula. For school someday…

Eventually, she got a job washing dishes at a small restaurant. She worked harder than anyone there, terrified of being fired.

She never took a day off. Never complained.

Her body paid the price.

Malnourished. Exhausted. At nine months of pregnancy, she collapsed on the side of the road after a late shift.

When she woke up again… she was in the mountains.

And the babies were already born.

To this day, she had no idea what had happened. Who did the C-section? Who brought her and the kids into the mountains?

Why?

The man who saved them claimed he'd just stumbled across them. Said they looked pitiful, so he brought them home.

And just like that, five years passed.

Five peaceful, happy, warm years.

But the kids were growing. She couldn't ignore it anymore. They needed school, a future, a world beyond trees and rivers.

The mountain was safe—but it was just them and the old man. Someday, he'd be gone. Then what?

Her boys deserved to see the world. To live it.

So with a heavy heart, she said goodbye and came down the mountain.

She hadn't planned on coming back to Havenport. The memories still haunted her.

But then, while trying to register her kids for school, she discovered something that floored her:

She was still married.

She was stunned.

She was sure she had signed those divorce papers six years ago!

She didn't get it—why was the marriage still valid?

But that wasn't even the worst part.

Because she was "legally married," the kids' birth certificates were going to automatically list Damien Carrington as their father.

The Carringtons were rich, powerful, and ruthless.

Damien didn't even like her. There was no way in hell he'd be okay with being named the father of three kids that weren't his.

So before she could register the kids, she had to fix this damn marriage mess.

She came back to Havenport for one reason only: Divorce.

She didn't blame Damien.

He'd had every right to be upset back then. She had betrayed him. He said she was unfaithful—and she was.

If she had any resentment left, it was for that one-night-stand stranger who stole everything from her.

He'd said all the right words—told her he'd make her the "happiest, most cherished woman in the world."

Bullshit.

He ruined her life.

Every time she thought about it, she wanted to punch him in the damn face.

"Mommy, I need to pee," her youngest, little Ollie, tugged on her shirt, his voice soft and embarrassed.

Snapped out of her thoughts, Elena looked down at her boys—and just like that, her heart melted.

Yeah, life had thrown her into a blender. But it also gave her these three little miracles. And they were worth every damn scar.

Her sons were her pride and joy.

Jamie Lane, her oldest, was a little gentleman—quiet, smart, mature beyond his years. He acted like the man of the house.

Axel Lane, her second, was the total opposite—wild, loud, and full of fists. Favorite hobby? Fighting. Childhood dream? Beating up the strongest guy in the world.

Ollie Lane, her youngest, was a sensitive little sweetheart. He was shy, not as sharp as his brothers, but he had the warmest heart. The kid could cook like a pro, even at his age.

And he had a talent for scent and design too. The perfume Elena used? Ollie made it. Give him some flowers and fruit, and he'd whip up something fresh and unique.

No harsh chemicals—just soft, natural scents.

He could sketch jewelry and fashion like it was nothing. Elena often thought, Whoever marries my Ollie one day is gonna be the luckiest girl on Earth.

She smiled warmly at him. "Okay, let's go. Jamie, Axel—do you need to go too?"

They both shook their heads in sync, "Nope!"

"Alright, wait here. Don't run off. Mommy's taking Ollie to the bathroom."

"Got it!"

Elena took Ollie's hand and walked him to the restrooms. At the door, she crouched down and said gently,

"Ollie, you go to the boys' room, Mommy will go in here. If you finish first, wait for me right outside, okay?"

"Mmhmm," Ollie nodded and waddled into the men's room.

Elena smiled as she watched him go, then turned and went into the ladies' room.

Ollie came out quickly and did exactly what he was told—stood outside, waiting quietly.

Just then, a glamorous woman in designer clothes, flanked by bodyguards, marched over.

She was wearing oversized sunglasses and bright red lipstick, shouting at her assistant.

"I told you, no more of those crappy scripts! I had to shoot in some backwoods village, and now I have to come back by train?! Are you kidding me? Look at the people on this train—poor, rude, disgusting!"

Kayla Carson's voice was loud enough to turn heads.

Her manager smiled nervously, trying to calm her down. The bodyguards shoved people out of the way.

"Move it! Move! Out of the way!"

Ollie didn't move fast enough—they shoved him hard.

He fell on his butt, eyes wide with shock.

Tears welled up, but he didn't make a sound.

"Whose brat is this?" Kayla snapped. "Get out of my way!"

Ollie froze. She scared the hell out of him—he sat there, teary-eyed, lips trembling.

Kayla scowled hard. Looking at him hit a nerve.The kid looked just like that thorn in her side.

Same age. Same face.

She clenched her teeth. "You're still sitting there? Don't you know it's rude to block someone's path? Where the hell are your parents, huh? No manners, no class!"

Then—she kicked him. Right in the side.

Ollie let out a loud, painful sob.

"Mommy! Jamie! Axel! It hurts—wahhhh!"

Elena was still in the restroom, but Jamie and Axel heard the crying and came running.

"What happened, Ollie? What's wrong?" Jamie asked, worried.

Ollie saw his brothers and burst into louder tears.

"T-that... that lady kicked me!" he stuttered, shoulders shaking. "It hurts... w-wahhh!"

Axel's eyes went wide.

Someone hurt his little bro?

Hell. No.

"Jamie, stay with Ollie. I'm gonna go teach that bitch a lesson!"

And with that, Axel took off—raging, fists clenched—disappearing into the crowd.