Her face showed perfect surprise—no guilt at all.
“Please don’t misunderstand,” she said gently. “Diego wanted to play on the playground but was too scared to be alone, so I took Lizzie with me.”
“But Sheldon thought I’d be overwhelmed taking care of them alone, so he came to help me.”
“If you’re upset, blame me. It’s my fault. Sheldon and Lizzie are completely innocent.”
Stacey played the fragile maiden flawlessly—soft eyes, trembling voice.
Yet as she leaned closer, tilted her collar just enough. Faint bite marks peeked out.
She made sure I could see them clearly.
“That’s fine,” Sheldon muttered, rubbing his temples. Irritation crept into his voice. “Reba is not the type to indulge petty jealousy.”
Then he talked to me, “I also have an event to attend here, I intend to invite you and Lizzie to come together.”
Stacey shocked to hear that and cut off, “But you said we—”
Before she could finish, Sheldon’s voice dropped, cold and sharp. “Stacey, go pick Diego or you will be late to come to the event.”
I stood there quietly.
Stacey shot me a concealed glare before picking up Diego—reluctance etched into every step.
As Diego and Lizzie waved goodbye, Lizzie bounced to my side, clinging to my arm.
“Mom, please don’t be upset with the second… I mean, Auntie Stacey. I’m so happy to play with Diego, too.”
Last night, when she was dreaming, she called her second mommy. It seemed she was used to calling Stacey that.
“I’m not upset,” I replied calmly. “It’s just… unexpected to run into the four of you here.”
My tone turned distant. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to the house.”
“Reba, are you not hearing what I said before?” Sheldon said softly. “There’s a charity event here, come with me.”
I didn’t answer. But he thought my silence meant that I agreed.
He slipped an arm around my waist without hesitation.
“You’ve gotten fuller,” he murmured absentmindedly, then corrected himself, “That’s good. You used to be too thin. No matter how you look, I love you all the same.”
A cold, faint smile touched my lips.
After all, my body hadn’t changed in years. The comment came only because his hands had grown used to Stacey’s narrow waist.
That afternoon, he brought me to a high-end store, asked me to pick whatever I wanted.
But at checkout, I sent everything to Stacey.
“Why don’t you just take it?” I asked quietly.
“We didn’t bring bodyguards,” he replied. “Your arms will be full carrying the bags.”
“Then at least pick one outfit for tonight,” he added. “We’ll go to the salon after. Should I choose one for you?”
In the end, I wore the dress Sheldon chose. The makeup Sheldon chose.
When I stepped out, I barely recognized herself. I looked like a second Stacey.
Lizzie clapped happily. “Mom, you’re so beautiful!”
I turned toward the mall’s giant screen.
Stacey appeared on it, wearing the same red dress.
Red was Stacey’s favorite color. The one Sheldon always chose.
In the past, I would have confronted him—demanded answers, threatened separation within the relationship.
But now… I couldn’t afford mistakes.
With less than one week left, I let him do as he pleased.
At the event, I wasn’t surprised to see Stacey again—wearing the same color dress as mine.
This time, she stood on stage as the host. Her words were sharp and charming, her laughter drawing applause from the entire hall.
When she stepped down, she walked straight toward us.
She deliberately took the seat beside Sheldon. With practiced intimacy, she pinched Lizzie’s cheek and waved for her assistant. Soon, Diego was placed beside Lizzie.
In the end, I sat trapped between them.
Lizzie and Diego played happily, while Sheldon and Stacey chatted animatedly, voices low, smiles familiar.
Stacey kept provoking me with glances and small gestures. I gave her nothing. I simply sat still, quiet and detached.
Until the final item appeared. A familiar blue pendant.
It was my family’s, something that passed down through generations. I had given it to Sheldon on our wedding day.
Sheldon promised to pass it to our daughter one day, for her to give to her husband. But two years ago, he said it was lost.
My fingers trembled as I reached for the bidding card, but someone had called first, “Five thousand dollars.”
Stacey pouted theatrically. “I want it so badly. It’s perfect for Diego. His birthday is coming up.” She sighed. “But it’s too expensive for just a pendant.”
Diego tugged her hand. “It’s okay, Mom. As long as you’re there, that’s enough.”
Sheldon smiled.
“I’ll buy it for you,” he said casually. “A gift for Diego.”
“Ten thousand dollars.”
My chest tightened.
How could he bid it easily for others when he knew how precious it was for me?
Could it be he already forgot about it?
Or perhaps—he had never taken anything of mine seriously to begin with.
In frustration, I bid higher, “Twenty thousand dollars.”
Stacey’s face darkened. Displeasure flickered across Sheldon’s eyes at her recklessness.
Yet Stacey quickly masked it with sweetness.
“Reba,” she said lightly, “You live such a blessed life now. Sheldon and Lizzie adore you endlessly. You wouldn’t mind letting me have this pendant, would you?”
Lizzie tugged at her cloak. “Mom… why don’t we let second… Auntie Stacey took it? We already have so many treasures at the Manor.”
My lips curved into a strained smile. “What if this is the only one your first mother refuses to yield?”
I deliberately emphasized the word “first,” making Lizzie a little scared.
After all, I had never cared for blessed adornments. But this time, I would not retreat.
Sheldon squeezed Stacey’s hand reassuringly, then flicked Lizzie’s forehead gently. “That’s enough.”
“In this family,” Sheldon said coldly, “we honor what your mother wants. How could you even suggest giving away something she desires?”
Stacey’s smile shattered. She stood abruptly and left the auction hall, heels striking the floor in sharp, furious beats.
Sheldon exhaled deeply and rose, clearly tempted to follow.
Before leaving, he bent and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
“I’ll collect the pendant,” he said gently, “Take care of Lizzie and Diego for me.”
I was about to follow him, but Lizzie tugged at my dress, saying she needed me.
For years, Sheldon had used Lizzie as his shield, a perfect excuse to slip away unnoticed, indulging forbidden desires under the cover of night.
But a child was still a child. I saw through it easily.
Feigning the need for fresh air, I said, “You stay here with Diego.”
Lizzie sensed my mood and didn’t stop me.
I followed Sheldon’s scent through the corridors. It led me to a secluded washroom hall.
Stacey stood there, crying into Sheldon’s chest.
Hidden behind a door, every word reached me clearly.
“If I hadn’t moved away during school,” Stacey sobbed, “we would’ve gone to college together. You would’ve married me. It’s all your fault—for marrying that doctor!”
She cried for a long time.
Sheldon didn’t interrupt. Not once.
When her sobs finally softened, he chuckled quietly.
“Look at you,” he murmured. “Crying like a newborn baby. What a mess.”
His teasing only fueled her resentment.
“I don’t care!” Stacey snapped, fists clenched. “Your wife took the treasure I wanted. You owe me tonight!”
The air between them shifted—tight, dangerous, charged with unspoken hunger.
Sheldon’s voice dropped, rough and low.
“You said it yourself,” he warned. “Don’t beg me to stop later.”
That night, behind closed doors, the man chose desire over loyalty—and the sound of my heart breaking was far louder than any cry Stacey made.
What I didn’t witness came moments later.
Stacey’s voice trembled. “Do you love me?”
Sheldon didn’t hesitate. Lust still clouded his gaze. “If I didn’t, why would I keep you by my side?”
Encouraged, Stacey pressed closer, voice coy. “If you had to choose—me, or that woman… who would it be?”
“Obviously you.”
The word struck like a blade.
“Then divorce her for me.”
