Chapter 2

September in Napa Valley meant harvest season, and tonight, the Blackwood Estate was hosting its highly anticipated annual Autumn Tasting Gala.

It was the most prestigious event in the entire California wine industry. In years past, Graham had strictly forbidden Toby and me from even stepping foot near the banquet hall. He always claimed my presence would "cause unnecessary misunderstandings."

I used to fool myself into believing he was just a private man, naturally cold and unwilling to put his personal life in the spotlight. Until tonight.

The window of our small, secluded cabin offered a direct view of the main estate's manicured lawn. Toby was pressed against the glass, his small arms tightly hugging a miniature oak barrel. It was a keepsake left behind by the late master of the estate—Graham’s father—and it symbolized the rightful heir to the winery. Toby treated it like his most prized possession, carefully polishing it every single day.

"Mommy, look," Toby murmured, pointing toward the brilliantly lit lawn. He tried to hide it, but the crushing disappointment in his voice was unmistakable. 

I followed his gaze, and my heart fiercely clenched. 

Graham stood center stage under the dazzling spotlights, looking immaculate in a tailored tuxedo. Standing right beside him, dressed to the nines, was Elaine. And Graham’s left hand was tightly holding the hand of her son, Leo.

Seeing them standing there like a picture-perfect family felt like a slap to the face.

Elaine had been his college sweetheart. They were engaged right out of school, but just a month before the wedding, she fell head over heels for a French guy and abandoned Graham without a second thought to chase her "true love."

Graham spiraled into a dark depression after she left. That was when I came into his life as his assistant.

One reckless, alcohol-fueled night later, I was pregnant with Toby. I became his secret wife, hidden away in the shadows. And because our marriage was born out of a drunken mistake, neither I nor my son were ever truly wanted by him. 

Now she was back, and Graham was playing the devoted family man—just not for his actual flesh and blood.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Graham’s deep, resonant voice boomed through the microphone, brimming with pride.

"Tonight, I’d like to introduce you all to a remarkably gifted young boy, Leo. He possesses an extraordinary palate and sense of smell. I firmly believe he’s destined to become Napa Valley’s finest winemaker. To encourage his talent, I have decided to officially present him with the century-old miniature oak barrel of the Blackwood Estate—our ultimate symbol of legacy and inheritance."

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause. 

Standing in the shadows of our dim cabin, an icy chill washed over me. That barrel was Grandpa’s gift to Toby! Yet Graham hadn't hesitated for a second to strip his own biological son of his birthright, all just to score points with Elaine. 

I looked down at my boy. His knuckles were turning white from gripping his barrel so tightly. Tears welled up in his big eyes, but he stubbornly refused to let them fall. 

"It’s okay, Mommy," Toby looked up, forcing a heartbreakingly brave smile. "Leo can have the old barrel. I can still make yummy wine using glass jars. As long as Uncle Graham is happy."

His innocent words felt like daggers straight to my heart. My tears finally broke free, and I had to bite my lip until it bled to keep from sobbing out loud. 

They were both just children. Both craved a father’s love. Yet Graham showered another man's son with all the glory and spotlight, while leaving the deepest, most agonizing scars on his own flesh and blood.

Long after the gala ended, the cabin door swung open. Graham walked in, reeking of wine. 

He caught sight of Toby sitting at the table, quietly inspecting some grape skins, and his brow furrowed in instant annoyance. "Tiffany, why the hell is he still awake? Elaine is taking Leo on a tour of the main cellar first thing tomorrow morning. You need to keep Toby locked down here. Don't let him run over and cause a scene. Leo is sensitive to dust; the cellar needs to be absolutely spotless and quiet."

I slowly looked up, staring quietly at the man I had loved with all my heart for seven years. 

In his eyes, I saw nothing but protective concern for Elaine and her son. There wasn't a single shred of guilt for the little boy sitting right in front of him. 

"The main cellar?" I asked, my voice deadly cold. "That’s where Toby goes every single day to log the temperature and humidity. Are you really stripping away his one and only joy for the sake of an outsider?"

"What outsider? Elaine is my dearest friend!" Graham snapped, clearly offended by my tone. "God, Tiffany, stop being so damn petty and jealous. Toby is just a kid, what does he know about winemaking anyway? Leo actually has real talent. What’s wrong with me nurturing that?"

Looking at his self-righteous face, a sudden wave of sheer disgust washed over me. 

I didn't waste another breath arguing. I just looked away and said flatly, "Understood. Have a good night, Mr. Blackwood."

Graham paused, clearly caught off guard by my sudden compliance. He shot me a suspicious glare, scoffed coldly, and turned on his heel to leave.

The second the door clicked shut, I pulled out my phone and opened an unread email. It was a formal offer letter from a premier Grand Cru estate in Burgundy, France. 

Once upon a time, I had rejected countless lucrative offers just to stay by Graham’s side, willingly playing the invisible ghost-winemaker behind his success. But now? I was done. 

The countdown to our departure had begun. You only have two strikes left, Graham.