Amelie sat on the edge of the bed in the VIP room, looking out the window.
Just then, the door opened, and Elon Hayes walked in, wearing a mask of guilt.
He walked to her bedside and reached for her hand. She flinched away, pulling her hand back.
Elon sighed, launching into his usual script of emotional manipulation. "Amelie, I know you're upset. Jasmine and I... it was a mistake. I had too much to drink."
Amelie finally looked at him, her eyes filled with undisguised mockery. "A mistake? A mistake that got her pregnant with your child?"
Elon's expression tightened for a second before he replaced it with a look of profound sorrow. "It was for my parents. You know how much they want an heir, and we've been married for three years..."
In the eyes of Elon's parents, the blame for this childless marriage fell entirely on her.
Amelie smiled bitterly: "So, you found a surrogate? Elon, you truly are a devoted son to the Hayes family."
His face hardened. "I never wanted to hurt you. I'll make it up to you, Amelie. Just accept this child, and you will still be Mrs. Hayes."
Amelie looked at the man before her, feeling increasingly disgusted: "You think too highly of yourself, and too little of me."
A soft knock sounded at the door, but before anyone could answer, Jasmine pushed it open and walked in, holding a thermal soup container.
She ignored Amelie, walking straight to Elon's side. "Elon, I made you some soup," she cooed, deliberately showcasing her role as a caring partner. "The doctor said you need to rest."
Elon frowned but didn't push her away. Jasmine placed the container on the bedside table, sizing up Amelie.
She stroked her stomach and smiled sweetly at Amelie. "Sister, I know this is hard for you to accept right now. But for the sake of the Hayes family bloodline, I hope you can be more understanding."
Elon tried to mediate. "Jasmine, you should go. I need to talk to Amelie."
But Jasmine's eyes immediately filled with tears. "I'm just worried about you... And I wanted to explain to my sister. I'm not trying to break up your family. I just want a name for my child."
She turned to Amelie, her expression a perfect picture of innocence, "After all, this child is the sole heir to the Hayes family."
A lie, declared with such righteous conviction, was a direct insult to her intelligence.
Amelie fixed her gaze on Jasmine's stomach, and she spoke each word with chilling precision: "Is that so? Are you certain he's the Hayes family heir?"
Jasmine's triumphant expression flickered, but she quickly composed herself.
Jasmine puffed out her chest. "Of course! I have Elon's love as proof!"
Amelie's gaze shifted from Jasmine to Elon, "Elon, is this your choice?"
Caught between the two women, Elon chose the lie that promised him an heir. He remained silent.
And his silence was the only answer Amelie needed.
Her heart, which had already been fractured, now turned to dust.
She threw back the covers, put on her shoes, and got up to leave.
Elon moved to block her. "Where are you going?"
Amelie looked at him, "To get some fresh air. Somewhere without liars and whores."
Jasmine shrieked, "Who are you calling a whore?"
