All along, I thought they had finally let it go.
Turns out, the Ceppetellis already had an heir. Twins, in fact.
That was when I found out that all those times Brent traveled to London, it wasn’t for business. He was with Shalane Shepley and their children.
I swallowed my emotions, pushing down the tightness in my chest.
“Do you even know the difference between responsibility and love, Brent? Don’t you think I’m pathetic? Like a complete fool?”
He looked at me, guilt flashing across his face.
“I’m so sorry, Cammie. I never wanted you to go through surgery—I just… I just wanted to experience being a father.
“She and the kids don’t interfere with our lives. I’ve done my duty to Shalane, and if you’re willing, they’ll treat you with respect—like a mother.”
I let out a cold laugh.
“So my husband cheats, and I’m supposed to be grateful that I now have children who will be filial to me? Otherwise, I’d just die alone and miserable?”
Brent looked uncomfortable, his voice rising slightly.
“Come on, why do you have to put it like that? It wasn’t cheating! It only happened once,” he muttered. “And it was for—”
Maybe even he couldn’t bring himself to finish that sentence. Instead, he drove everyone out of the room.
“Camryn, I know you’re upset, but try to understand. I’m forty-two. I just… didn’t want to have regrets.
“If you really love me, you’d accept the kids. Shalane takes care of them well—you wouldn’t have to do anything. Isn’t that a good thing?”
I stared at him for a long time before my voice finally came out, hoarse.
“And what if I don’t accept them?”
“I know this is hard for you right now. It’s okay—I’ll give you time.
“But Shalane and the kids… I will keep seeing them.
“Next week is Dad’s 70th birthday. Shalane’s bringing the kids. Once you meet them, you’ll love them.”
And with that, he closed the door and left.
I sat there quietly, unlocked my phone, and opened the file from the private investigator.
Thousands of photos and videos—Brent at every doctor’s appointment with Shalane, from the first ultrasound to the birth of their children. Every milestone, every family moment.
There was even a stock transfer agreement.
Twenty years of marriage. And all those “business trips” outside the U.S.? He was with them!
And I never even questioned it!
The perfect happy family photos felt like a knife stabbing my eyes.