Chapter 4

I returned to the tea room in a daze.

My friends were still chatting about my pregnancy and the anniversary celebration Lucian was planning. I smiled when someone spoke to me, but barely heard a word.

When they asked where Lucian had gone, I said he'd been called away on Family business.

I'd become surprisingly good at lying for him.

By the time I returned to the Marino estate, the sun had set. I went straight upstairs without waiting for him.

Lucian came home that evening and seemed surprised to find the living room empty.

After showering, he climbed into bed and wrapped his arms around me.

"Sweetheart, about that lakeside estate..."

I kept my eyes closed.

"I've been thinking we should find somewhere closer to home for our baby. That estate is beautiful, but it's too far away."

"Whatever you think is best," I replied.

He kissed my shoulder.

"You're not upset, are you?"

"Why would I be?"

Lucian relaxed. "That's my girl. I'll find our baby something even better."

He fell asleep holding me.

I lay awake, listening to the heartbeat of the man I'd once believed would never betray me.

The following morning, I brought up Paris over breakfast.

"Lucian, I want to take the private jet to Paris today."

He looked up. "Paris? Why?"

"I want to try on the dress I'm wearing for our anniversary."

"Have the designer bring it here. You're pregnant, sweetheart. You shouldn't exhaust yourself traveling."

I moved closer and tugged at his sleeve.

"But I want to go myself. I haven't been shopping in Paris for ages, and I could use a little vacation."

Lucian studied me before smiling helplessly.

"How am I supposed to say no when you look at me like that?"

"So I can go?"

"Of course. I'll have the jet prepared. Just promise you'll take care of yourself and our baby."

I nodded.

He personally cooked my breakfast before leaving for a Family meeting.

At the door, he turned back.

"I love you, Audrey. Call me when you land."

I watched him disappear.

Then I whispered, "Goodbye, Lucian."

Once I was alone, I began clearing away the traces of our marriage.

I collected our wedding portraits, honeymoon pictures, anniversary photographs, and the little snapshots Lucian had taken whenever we traveled together.

I carried them to the fireplace and watched the flames slowly consume our smiling faces.

The only photographs I preserved were the evidence of his betrayal.

Then I packed a small suitcase containing my passport, a few clothes, and the real ultrasound photograph.

Everything else could stay.

Just as I zipped the suitcase shut, my phone vibrated.

Chloe.

There's a little celebration at the Grand Astor Hotel today. Why don't you come see something interesting?

A second message followed.

Bring a strong heart, Audrey. I wouldn't want you fainting again.

I stared at the screen.

Then I picked up my suitcase and left.

Before heading to the airport, I stopped at the Grand Astor Hotel.

Following Chloe's directions, I reached a private banquet hall on the top floor.

The doors were slightly open.

Inside, white roses covered the tables, and an enormous birthday cake stood beneath a golden banner celebrating the twins.

Lucian was holding the little boy while Chloe stood beside him with their daughter.

But it wasn't the sight of them together that stopped me.

It was the people surrounding them.

My mother was adjusting Chloe's necklace, smiling proudly.

"You've given the Marino Family two beautiful heirs," she said. "I'm so proud of you."

My father laughed as he raised his glass.

"Our Chloe has always been the clever one."

Lucian's mother kissed the little girl's cheek.

"These children are the future of our Family. They're everything we've prayed for."

Even his father, the former Don who'd never considered me worthy of marrying his son, looked delighted.

"To the Marino heirs!"

Everyone applauded.

I stood motionless outside the door.

Both our families knew.

My parents had watched me suffer through years of trying to conceive, knowing Chloe had already given my husband two children.

Lucian's parents had criticized me for failing to produce an heir while secretly celebrating the twins behind my back.

And Lucian stood among them, smiling as though nothing were wrong.

For three years, I'd believed that even if everyone else abandoned me, my husband would always choose me.

Looking through that doorway, I finally understood how foolish I'd been.

I quietly turned away.

Not one of them noticed.

In the car outside the airport, I opened the encrypted folder Rachel had helped me prepare.

It contained Chloe's photographs and videos, the DNA reports, and records documenting Lucian's secret family.

There was also another collection of files.

My university research.

For years, she'd enjoyed the academic recognition that should have belonged to me, while telling everyone I was the plagiarist.

I'd kept quiet because our parents begged and threatened me.

Not anymore.

When the confirmation appeared, my phone rang.

Chloe.

"Audrey!" she greeted me brightly. "Did you go to the hotel? Did you see everyone celebrating our children?"

"Yes."

She laughed.

"Even Mom and Dad were there. And Lucian's parents absolutely adore the twins. Doesn't it hurt knowing everyone prefers my family?"

I looked at the scheduled release on my screen.

"Chloe, do you really think I'll keep giving you everything forever?"

Her laughter stopped briefly. "What?"

I ended the call.

Then I switched off my phone and boarded the private jet.

Lucian's POV

Back at the hotel, Lucian was sitting on the sofa with both twins climbing over his lap.

His phone rang.

It was his underboss.

Annoyed at being interrupted, Lucian answered without looking away from the children.

"This had better be important."

The man's voice was trembling.

"It's the Don...Donna, sir. Her private jet... it crashed over the Atlantic shortly after leaving American airspace."

Lucian went completely still.

All the blood seemed to drain from his body.

"What...What did you just say?"