Chapter 3

Lucian hesitated.

For a moment, I thought he might actually stay. His gaze moved from my face to my stomach, and his fingers tightened around mine.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. It's something I have to handle personally."

"Even tonight?"

"I promise I'll be back as soon as possible." He kissed my forehead. "Don't wait up for me."

Then he was gone.

I sat alone at the dining table, staring at the steak he'd carefully cut for me. Tears slipped down my cheeks, but I picked up my fork and forced myself to eat every bite.

I wasn't alone anymore. There was a baby inside me who needed food, and I couldn't afford to neglect myself.

Afterward, I climbed into bed and stared at the ceiling until morning.

Lucian never came home.

It was almost dawn when I finally heard his footsteps.

I quickly closed my eyes.

The mattress dipped beside me, bringing a wave of cold air and the faint scent of unfamiliar perfume.

"Audrey?" he whispered.

I pretended to wake, blinking sleepily.

"You're back?"

Lucian smiled apologetically. "Did I wake you? I'm sorry, baby."

He brushed my hair away from my face.

"I have something wonderful to tell you."

He pulled out his phone and showed me photographs of a magnificent lakeside estate, complete with gardens, fountains, and acres of woodland.

"I bought this for our baby. Once we choose a name, I'll rename the estate after him."

I stared at the pictures.

Lucian continued excitedly, "And when our son is born, I'm establishing a charitable foundation in his name. We'll support homeless children and underfunded orphanages. I want his arrival to bring happiness to people who've never had much."

His eyes shone with anticipation.

"Imagine it, Audrey. Our little boy growing up knowing he helped thousands of children."

For years, I'd dreamed of building a family with him. Now he was describing that dream so beautifully that I almost forgot whose bed he'd spent the night in.

A sob escaped me.

Lucian immediately put his phone aside.

"Sweetheart, why are you crying?"

He gathered me into his arms, kissing my hair.

"Are you worried about becoming a mother? You don't have to be. I'll take care of everything."

I buried my face against his chest and cried harder.

He held me until my tears stopped, never realizing he was the reason for them.

Later that morning, I told Lucian I'd arranged afternoon tea with several college friends.

"I'll come with you," he said immediately.

"You don't have to. They're my friends."

"And you're carrying our baby." He smiled. "Besides, I haven't seen them in ages."

I didn't argue.

The gathering was being held in a private lounge at an upscale Manhattan hotel.

When we arrived, my classmates surrounded Lucian with delighted greetings. He greeted everyone warmly, completely unlike the ruthless Don they saw in the newspapers.

"Audrey, your husband is still completely obsessed with you," one woman teased.

Another sighed. "Three years married, and he still follows you everywhere. Some women really have all the luck."

Lucian slipped an arm around my waist.

"She's the best thing that ever happened to me."

Everyone laughed and congratulated us when he announced my pregnancy.

I smiled because I didn't know what else to do.

Halfway through tea, the door opened.

Chloe walked in wearing a fitted cream dress and a diamond necklace.

"I heard my sister was here. I thought I'd stop by and say hello."

The room grew quiet.

Chloe had never been popular with my university friends, but that had never stopped her from making herself the center of attention.

She looked me over, then smiled sweetly.

"Audrey, it's been so long. Are you still upset about that research paper?"

My fingers tightened around my cup.

"What paper?" someone asked.

Chloe gave an embarrassed little laugh.

"Oh, it's ancient history. Audrey submitted work that was suspiciously similar to mine. There was an investigation, and she almost didn't graduate."

"That's not what happened," I said.

Chloe tilted her head.

"Really? I thought we'd agreed to put it behind us. I forgave you years ago."

I stared at her.

She had stolen two years of my research, and now she was accusing me of stealing it from her.

Before I could respond, Lucian stood.

"Apologize to my wife."

Chloe blinked. "Lucian, I was only joking."

"Now."

She reached toward his arm, smiling pleadingly.

He slapped her across the face.

The sharp sound silenced the room.

"Never humiliate Audrey in front of me again."

Chloe covered her cheek, tears filling her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she whispered before running out.

My friends looked stunned. Then someone murmured, "Well, at least we know whose side he's on."

I looked at Lucian, who was already taking his seat beside me.

Once, I would have believed it too.

Twenty minutes later, Lucian received a message.

He glanced at his phone and frowned.

"Sweetheart, something's come up at the office. I need to step out."

I didn't try to stop him.

He kissed my cheek.

Almost immediately after he left, Chloe sent me a room number.

Come see what your devoted husband is doing.

I excused myself, claiming I needed the restroom.

The room Chloe had named was another private lounge down the hallway. Its door stood slightly open.

Through the gap, I saw Lucian sitting beside Chloe.

Her cheek was still red, and tears streamed down her face.

"Lucian, I know I shouldn't have upset Audrey," she sobbed. "But did you really have to hit me in front of everyone?"

Lucian sighed and gently touched her swollen cheek.

"You shouldn't have provoked her. You know how much Audrey means to me."

"I know." Chloe lowered her head. "She's your wife. I'm not asking you to leave her."

She wiped her tears before continuing.

"But what about our children? They didn't do anything wrong. They're your flesh and blood, too."

Lucian remained silent.

Chloe took his hand.

"I heard you bought a beautiful lakeside estate for Audrey's baby. I don't want our twins to grow up with nothing while their little brother gets everything."

"Chloe—"

"Please, Lucian. I don't need anything for myself. I just want our children to know their father loves them."

She began crying harder.

"Can't you give them the estate? Audrey's baby will have your name, your protection, and everything that comes with being your legitimate heir. Our twins deserve something, too."

Lucian rubbed his forehead, looking troubled.

After a long silence, he finally nodded.

"Fine. I'll transfer the estate to the twins."

Chloe immediately brightened.

"Really? Thank you, Lucian!"

She threw her arms around him before asking softly, "And the foundation? Could you establish that in their names, too?"

Lucian's expression hardened.

"No. The foundation is for Audrey and our baby. I'm not changing that."

"But—"

"I've already agreed to give the twins the estate. Don't ask for anything more."

Chloe bit her lip, then nodded obediently.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so greedy."

She leaned against his shoulder.

"Thank you for taking care of us."

Lucian didn't push her away.

I stood outside the door, unable to move.

Just that morning, he'd shown me pictures of the estate, his eyes shining as he imagined our child growing up there.

Now, because of a few tears from Chloe, he'd given it away.

He had refused to surrender the foundation.

Was I supposed to be grateful that he'd left our baby something?

My phone vibrated.

A message from Chloe.

See, Audrey? Ever since we were little, everything you had was mine to take. Your toys, your achievements, and now your man.

I stared at those words until my vision blurred.

Everything Lucian had once done to make me feel special, he could do for another woman.

And the promises he'd made to me could be broken whenever Chloe asked.

At that moment, I felt utterly exhausted.

But once I left Lucian, everything would be all right.

Tomorrow, I would finally be free.