I stood at the door, looking at their backs in silence, feeling only disappointment.
Nowadays, he cared less and less about me. I couldn't tell if he trusted me too much or didn't care at all.
The night before the divorce agreement was approved, the doorbell rang.
I was about to open the door when Conrad suddenly came out of the kitchen and stopped me. "Don't move, it's my guests."
I was taken aback. "His guests?"
He smiled faintly and said, "I forgot to tell you, I invited some friends over today to give Lilian's son a name."
I stood there, speechless for a long time.
"What do you mean?"
"It's just ... a name."
He said as a matter of course, "They are all professors who teach literature and philosophy at the university, so it won't be too big."
"Why did you do this at 'our' home without notifying me?"
He looked at me with a hint of impatience in his eyes and replied, "I didn't inform you because I was afraid you might feel uncomfortable."
"You knew I was uncomfortable, but you still did it?"
He sighed and lowered his voice. "Honey, please stop making trouble, okay? Just this once."
I sneered and when I was about to speak sarcastically, he suddenly held my hand and said, "This is the last time, I promise."
His eyes were sincere and his voice was deep.
"Once we choose the name for Lilian's son, I'll arrange for Lilian to go on a blind date. I have wanted to deal with her affairs for a long time, but I have never had the chance ... I'll also give you what you want to be public. On our tenth anniversary, I'll tell everyone that you are my legal wife."
I froze. I didn't expect him to say these words.
But I couldn't believe it anymore.
Every word he said sounded like sugar-coated bullets, with layers of sweetness wrapped in cold excuses.
"So, are you really going to send her away?"
"I promise."
Before I could pursue another questions, I heard the sound of Lilian opening the door from the living room.
"Welcome, welcome! Please come in! My little boy has just woken up. This is the best time!"
I unconsciously turned around and saw a few young men and women carrying gifts, smiling and greeting each other while changing their shoes.
When Lilian dealt with them, she glanced over at me with a hint of smug in her eyes.
It seemed to be telling me that she was the wife Conrad openly acknowledged and I was not.
I stood there with my fingertips cold.
Conrad still held my hand and whispered in my ear. "Please, just pretend for one night ... just one night."
I laughed, very lightly, but extremely bitter.
I didn't say anything more and stuffed the divorce agreement back into my pocket.
I no longer had the strength to make a fuss, nor did I want to argue with him.
Making a fuss meant I still hoped, but silence meant I had completely given up.
I sat in the corner of the sofa, watching the guests come in and out, complimenting, blessing and surrounding the child and Lilian, while Conrad always stood by her side.
"Have you thought of a name for the child?"
"We've thought of a few, bu we'll ask the professors to review them later."
"Lilian is so lucky to have married a good husband and have a lovely son."
I could only feel my eardrums buzzing as I listen to these words.
I once thought that I had supported the entire company for him and accompanied him through the most difficult years, including the years when his father was hospitalized, shareholders forced him to abdicate and the company's accounts were in chaos and that I could gain a legitimate identity in return.
But in the end, I was just a tool he used to maneuver around.
A temporary actor who even had to "pretend to be invited" to the naming party.
The lights in the room were warm and the atmosphere was filled with clinking of glasses.
The professors have already come up with several names for the child, such as "Roland Helderman", "Cedric Helderman" and "Lucien Helderman", each one more elegant and grand than the other.
"Lucien Helderman, I think it's good! It's catchy and has a scholarly atmosphere."
"Yes, you choose the good name, Mr. Helderman."
"Then this one?" Someone looked at Conrad with a smile.
Conrad nodded and his gaze gently fell on the child.
Lilian, on the other hand, smiled brightly and said in a warm voice, "Lucien, do you like this name? Come on, call me Mommy."
She held the child and leaned against Conrad's shoulder, her movements familiar and natural, as if they were already a family of three.
