THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 623

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Stuart's words sent Keira's mind reeling back over forty years.

When she was in labor with Amanda, she had suffered a difficult delivery and severe hemorrhaging. It took two full days before the baby was finally born.

Because her daughter had been brought into the world through such a struggle, Keira had always showered her with exceptional affection, indulging her every whim, even allowing her to continue living at home after she was married.

Recalling the ordeal, Keira's eyes reddened. "Yes, I remember. I nearly died giving birth to that… that monster! If I had known this was how it would end, I wish I'd never had her at all!"

But who could ever predict the future?

Stuart had intended to take this secret to his grave, but now, he had no choice. He looked directly at his mother. "Mom, the truth is… my sister was stillborn. She didn't survive the birth due to a lack of oxygen. Dad was terrified you would be heartbroken, that you'd fall into a deep postpartum depression and never recover. So, he had someone from an orphanage bring him a newborn baby girl. He told you she was the daughter you had just delivered."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "That baby was Amanda."

The world seemed to stop. Keira's face was a mask of unreadable emotion.

What? Her daughter had died at birth? Amanda was just a replacement from an orphanage? Keira had never imagined that a plot twist from a soap opera could happen in her own life.

She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to steady herself. "Stuart, are you telling me the truth?"

"Yes," Stuart said with a heavy sigh. "Father told me on his deathbed. Even then, he sensed Amanda's ambition and greed. He warned me to be careful of her. It's my fault. I didn't take his words seriously enough." Looking back, Stuart was filled with regret. If he had only listened to his father, none of this would have happened.

Keira struggled to process the revelation. No wonder. No wonder Amanda had no sense of loyalty, no love for her brother. She clutched her chest, her body wracked with sobs. "Oh, your father… He kept this from me for so long! He deceived me so cruelly!" If Stuart hadn't told her today, she would have gone to her grave believing the lie.