Chapter 4

I moved into the most secluded room in the estate, where I could no longer hear Edward and Daisy's laughter. It was peaceful. Arthur would visit me from time to time, trying to cheer me up.

There were only two days left until Austin arrived—I just had to endure a little longer.

A voice came from outside the door as I daydreamed about my future freedom and happiness.

"Stella."

I opened the door to find Daisy standing there.

She was wearing a dazzlingly elegant gown embellished with pearls and a jewel-encrusted necklace. The softness and timidity in her eyes were gone, replaced by sharp, unyielding arrogance.

"What do you want? If it's not important, please leave," I said, unwilling to engage with her. I just wanted some peace.

"Aren't you going to invite your guest in for tea? Is this the kind of hospitality the Oskar family teaches?"

Since Daisy had abandoned all pretense of respect, I saw no need to be polite either. I struck her where it hurt.

"You used to be Edward's nanny—you have no right to judge me. No matter how luxurious your gown is, it won't change the fact that you come from nothing but an ordinary background. As for your child, one day, he'll hate you for giving him such a lowly lineage."

"You!" Her face turned ashen, her lips trembling as she struggled for words.

I felt delighted and was about to shut the door.

"Wait!" She forcefully pressed her hand against the doorframe.

"Daisy, I have no energy to fight over trash with you. There's no one else here. You don't have to pretend anymore."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Daisy's expression turned bitter for a moment before she regained her composure.

"Ever since you moved here, Edward has been missing you. He keeps bringing you up. He even claims you wouldn't ignore him if I weren't so harsh."

"That's between the two of you. It has nothing to do with me."

"You're just playing hard to get, aren't you? You think distance makes the heart grow fonder, and once Edward grows tired of me, he'll remember how good you were."

I sighed softly, feeling exasperated. "I really have no interest in him anymore. You don't have to worry—I wouldn't talk to him even if you paid me."

"You need to stop this game! Move back in. I don't want your stupid bedroom anymore."

"I don't want to see either of you. Get out!" I shouted.

"If you truly don't care about him, why are you avoiding him? You can fool Edward, but you can't fool me. You're so manipulative!"

Daisy's lips curled into a twisted smirk, and an overwhelming hatred filled her eyes. "Do you know why you've never gotten pregnant?"

I froze, memories flooding back to me. The doctor had always assured me that I was perfectly healthy and that it was only a matter of time before I conceived.

But now, with Daisy's words hanging in the air, a terrifying thought took root in my mind. My voice came out in a whisper, "It was you two."

"That's right." She sneered. "To ensure my child becomes the rightful heir of Abend Group, Edward added birth control to your food after every time he slept with you. Now that you know, do you think you two could ever reconcile? You'll never win against me."

The rest of her words blurred into white noise. My head spun, and my legs nearly gave out beneath me.

Before I could steady myself, Daisy suddenly threw herself backward.

I instinctively reached out to catch her.

"Stella! What are you doing?" Edward's furious roar came from across the hall. Behind him stood Arthur.