Chapter 3

Elena's mouth tasted bitter. "What reasons? The reason to accompany another woman to her prenatal appointment?"

Zoe said hastily, "I'm not making excuses for him. But think about it—these past three years, has there been anyone else? A man who takes responsibility this seriously, how could he—"

"Cheat?" Elena finished for her. "Zoe, I didn't think he would either. But the facts are right in front of me."

Silence on the other end.

After a long pause, Zoe asked softly, "Elena, what are you going to do now?"

"I don't know." Elena's hand gently touched her abdomen. "I want this baby. But Kian doesn't."

"He said that to your face?"

"He didn't say it, but that's what he meant."

Zoe hesitated. "Listen, don't rush into any decisions. Tomorrow I'll come with you to talk to Kian. We'll ask him straight out. If he really doesn't want this baby, I'll support whatever you decide. But what if he really does have his reasons?"

Elena didn't respond, though a flicker of uncertainty stirred inside her.

"Elena?"

Elena made a sound of acknowledgment and wiped the tears from her face. "Yeah. I know. I'll get answers before I decide anything."

"Where are you now? I'll come keep you company." Zoe still sounded worried.

"No need. I'm home, and it's too late. Don't trouble yourself."

"Call me anytime if you need anything."

After hanging up, there was a knock on the bedroom door.

Maggie pushed it open. "Mrs. Lancaster, Mr. Lancaster asked me to give this to you."

She handed over an elegant gift box.

Elena accepted it and opened the lid.

Inside was a champagne-colored evening gown—almost the exact same shade as the nightgown she'd worn last night.

There was also a card in Kian's handwriting: [Tomorrow night, charity gala. I'll pick you up at seven.]

Elena's fingers tightened slightly. A small flame of hope flickered to life in her chest.

Maybe once Kian knew about the baby, he'd make a different choice. Maybe everything really was just a misunderstanding.

Tomorrow night would be her chance to find out.

The next evening, the charity gala was held on the top floor of the city's most expensive hotel.

Crystal chandeliers refracted blinding light. Perfume and silk filled the air. Champagne glasses clinked.

When Elena walked into the ballroom on Kian's arm, she could feel eyes turning toward them from every direction—curious, probing, speculative.

Everyone knew Kian had a crippled wife from a mismatched background. This was her first public appearance.

"Don't be nervous." Kian's voice was low. His hand patted the back of hers lightly.

Elena nodded without speaking.

She wore the champagne gown Kian had sent her. The dress fit perfectly, making her skin look fair and her waist slender.

"Kian!"

A familiar voice rang out.

Chloe approached in a red backless gown, her makeup flawless, her smile radiant. She naturally looped her arm through Kian's other one, then seemed to notice Elena as an afterthought. "Oh, Elena's here too? You look beautiful tonight."

Elena stared at Chloe's hand on Kian's arm. She said nothing.

Kian didn't move either. He even turned slightly, allowing Chloe to lean more naturally against him.

Elena withdrew her own hand tactfully and said coolly, "You two chat. I'll go look around."

"Elena." Kian called after her.

She stopped but didn't turn around.

"Don't wander off." His tone was unreadable. "There's going to be an auction soon. Sit next to me."

Elena didn't respond. She just turned and headed for the restroom.

Away from that painful scene, Elena finally had the courage to lift her head. Looking at her reddened eyes in the mirror, she clenched her jaw.

Don't cry. Your makeup will run.

But her eyes still stung terribly.

Elena turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on her face. Then, forcing herself to hold it together, she touched up her makeup and reapplied her lipstick.

She turned, pushed open the door, and walked out.

Just outside the restroom, she heard laughter from around a corner in the hallway. One of the voices was familiar—Chloe.

"This necklace? Kian gave it to me. Not too expensive—seventy or eighty thousand. He said this color looks good on me."

Another woman gushed, "Mr. Lancaster treats you so well. I heard he even gave you a supplementary card?"

Chloe's voice sounded casual. "Yeah. He said I've been abroad so long, he was worried I wouldn't be used to payment systems here, so he gave me one and told me to buy whatever I need."

"What's the limit?"

Chloe chuckled. "It's a supplementary black card—I don't think there is a limit. Kian's always been generous about these things."

"What about Mrs. Lancaster? Does she have a supplementary card too?"

The air went quiet for a moment.

After a pause, Chloe said softly, "I wouldn't know. But Elena doesn't really seem to care about those things. She usually dresses pretty simply. Hardly wears any jewelry."

"Right, I saw her earlier. That necklace Elena's wearing is only, like, thirty thousand, and it's from an old collection."

"She's Mrs. Lancaster, after all. Even if she doesn't care about her image, shouldn't she at least think about Mr. Lancaster? Dressing so shabby—isn't that embarrassing the Lancaster name?"

Elena stood frozen in place, her hands and feet going cold.

Her fingers unconsciously rose to touch the necklace at her throat.

This necklace was worth barely a few tens of thousands…

For Chloe, it was supplementary black cards and jewelry worth hundreds of thousands. But her, the legitimate Mrs. Lancaster—everything she wore put together didn't even add up to the value of one of Chloe's necklaces.

And she'd still been foolish enough to think she could clear things up with Kian, mend their relationship…

How ridiculous.

But Chloe kept talking. "Honestly, Kian's had it tough. Marrying Elena back then—it was out of obligation. You all know, right? Elena ruined her hands saving him."

"So what about you and him…?"

"We're different." Chloe's voice was gentle but firm. "Kian and I truly love each other. I was just too young and headstrong back then, which is why I went abroad. But now I've figured it out. I want to come back. I want to be with him."

"So what will Mr. Lancaster do about Elena?"