Chapter 1

My wife couldn't get pregnant, so we decided to try IVF.

Right before the embryos were created, I caught her secretly swapping my sperm sample with her first love’s.

I didn't make a scene. I quietly switched my sperm back.

And while I was at it, I also swapped her eggs with my comatose ex-girlfriend’s.

Twenty-five years later, my wife’s first love showed up at my doorstep, reaching for my son with tears in his eyes:

"My sweet boy, I'm your real father!"

My son, River, and I walked through the front door after returning from an overseas medical conference, only to freeze in our tracks.

The living room was packed. Distant relatives we hadn't seen in years were crammed onto every sofa and chair.

Looking at this crowd, you’d think the Sterling family was holding an emergency board meeting.

The most glaring sight was Julian Rivers, sitting dead center on the couch, his eyes rimmed with red.

Selena, my "devoted wife" who rarely bothered coming home, was wrapping an arm around him, murmuring soft words of comfort.

I raised an eyebrow, set my suitcase aside, and looked at her.

"What's the special occasion? Quite a crowd we have here."

River stood right behind me, arms crossed, staring down at Julian with pure disgust.

He had already pieced together who this man was.

My mother-in-law, Margaret, sat in the main armchair. Her face was dark, her lips pressed into a tight line.

Before Selena could say a word, Julian lunged off the couch, weeping as he threw himself toward River.

"My boy! My precious son, I'm your biological father!"

River dodged him with effortless grace, his brow furrowed in utter revulsion, looking at Julian like he was a pile of trash.

Stepping back, River's voice cut through the room like ice. "My dad's name is Ethan Cole."

Good boy. He never failed to have my back.

I placed a reassuring hand on River’s shoulder, then stepped forward and drove my fist straight into Julian’s face.

Thud.

The sound of the punch echoed through the silent room.

"Watch whose family you're claiming," I said coldly, my gaze sharp as a blade.

Selena jumped to her feet, frantically helping Julian up before pointing an accusing finger at me.

"Ethan, are you out of your mind?! How dare you lay a hand on Julian?!"

She raised her palm to slap me.

River reacted instantly. He stepped in and slapped Selena across the face before she could even touch me.

"You dare touch my dad?" River’s voice wasn't loud, but it carried undeniable authority.

Selena froze, trembling with rage, and raised her hand again to strike River.

Julian grabbed her arm, putting on a tearful, saintly act.

"Selena, don't! That's our son!"

Watching him play the loving father made me want to throw up.

Selena dropped her hand, glaring venomously at River.

"If it weren't for your real father standing right here, I’d teach you a lesson you'd never forget!"

River scoffed. "Oh? I’d love to see you try."

That piercing, unyielding look in his eyes was identical to mine when I was young.

I felt a surge of pride. That's my boy, raised by my own hands!