But I never imagined that the necklace might have already been given to someone else.
Suddenly, everything fell into place—those odd moments I had ignored now had their answers.
In the company’s early days, the soup that regularly appeared on his desk was never from a private kitchen.
After a three-week business trip, he came home with clothes pristine and smelling faintly of soap—nothing like hotel laundry.
On the night of our wedding, he stepped out to take an unfamiliar call and didn’t return until dawn. Maybe it hadn’t been work at all.
…
A cold shiver ran through me.
The man everyone believed loved me deeply had been deceiving me from the start.
Before the sting of betrayal came the shattering of everything I thought I knew.
The emotions I’d held back for days broke loose. I finally collapsed over the steering wheel, sobbing.
When I’d calmed down, I drove straight to the hospital. The doctor was startled when I requested an abortion—he knew how much I had wanted this child.
I gave no explanation, only a bitter smile. “Just arrange it.”
I will never forget the sensation of life leaving my body.
Eyes shut, tears streamed down my cheeks.
I remembered the day Gregory found out I was pregnant.
It was a bright winter morning. Clutching my report, I had gone to his office and waited outside the conference room.
When the meeting ended, my gaze locked on the tall, composed man at the front. I couldn’t hold back and told him the news right there.
What expression did he wear? I can’t quite recall.
All I remember is that the man, usually calm and restrained, lifted me and spun me twice before all his subordinates.
It had been pure, unguarded joy.
But now? If he knew this child was gone?
A bitter smile curled on my lips.
That night, exhausted and in pain, I lay in bed when his call came.
“You don’t have to attend the charity gala tomorrow night.”
His voice was cold, businesslike.
I suddenly understood—this was his way. He was never cruel, just quietly decisive.
After I embarrassed him and vanished all day, he simply chose to freeze me out. Removing me from the highly anticipated gala was expected.
He hung up before I could say a word.
The next day, I checked the guest list for the gala.
One name stopped me cold—Charlotte.
A surge of emotion hit me.
Forcing myself upright despite the pain, I called the driver.
When I arrived at the grand entrance, crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead.
Gregory stood in the center of attention, and people clustered around him.
At his side was Charlotte, in an elegant gown, her arm linked with his. Her makeup was flawless, her smile practiced.
She had risen from dorm supervisor to a lady standing with startling ease.
And I, in the eyes of the crowd, was the fool.
I sneered and moved to enter.
But the security guard blocked my way.
“Sorry, no entry without an invitation.”
His eyes carried a flicker of disdain.
I glanced down. My clothes from that morning were wrinkled, and I still wore hospital slippers.
I didn’t look like I belonged there.
