Chapter 3

My chest was heaving with rage, and even my finger trembled as I pointed at her.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Damien the truth?”

Vivian showed no fear. She even smirked, deliberately provoking me.

“Do you really think he’ll believe you? After what just happened, no matter what you say, he’ll only think you’re trying to frame me!”

“I don’t believe that. We’ve been together eight years. How could that all be wiped out so easily by your schemes?”

“Oh, really? Then go ahead. Try it. See for yourself whether he believes you… or me.”

Then she suddenly burst into sobs.

“Estelle, I didn’t even want this baby, but if I abort it, I’ll never be able to have children again. Can’t you just take pity on me?”

She struggled as if trying to get out of bed—just as Damien appeared at the doorway.

His expression darkened the moment he saw her crying. He rushed in and gathered her into his arms.

“What are you doing? The doctor said you need bed rest. You can’t move around like this!”

Vivian shook her head. Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at him, pitiful and fragile.

“Damien, maybe I should just leave. Estelle doesn’t want this baby. She said so many cruel things. She even told me to get rid of it…”

Damien lifted his head. His eyes were full of fury as he turned toward me.

“Estelle, what are you doing now?”

I shook my head in panic and pointed at Vivian.

“Damien, don’t believe her. That baby’s not even yours...”

Vivian wailed and lunged toward the wall as if to slam her head against it.

“Damien, please! Just let me die! After being talked to like that, how can I go on? I’m your legal wife, and yet she says those things just to humiliate me…”

Damien panicked and caught her, holding her tight in his arms.

“Calm down. I believe you. Please don’t get worked up. It’s bad for the baby.”

He comforted her softly, then turned to me with a cold, disappointed gaze.

“That’s enough, Estelle. Stop targeting Vivian. Whatever happened to her, it was my fault. Whether it was the drugging or the pregnancy, it was an accident. After she gives birth, I’ll send her and the child away. Then I’ll marry you.”

Vivian’s face faltered briefly but quickly recovered into a sorrowful expression.

“Estelle, I’ll leave once I’ve delivered. I’ll never fight you for the title of Madam. Please, just show me some mercy. I could never threaten your place in his heart.”

Damien frowned slightly.

“Estelle, please try to be kinder to Vivian for now. She’s pregnant. She can’t handle stress. Stop saying things like that. It’s nonsense.”

I stood there in a daze, feeling as though a blunt knife had been driven straight into my heart. The pain was sharp enough to take my breath away.

He didn’t believe me.

There was a time when he never doubted a word I said.

My face must have looked terrible, because his voice softened slightly.

“My promise to you still stands. I’m already planning the wedding. Let’s go to the bridal boutique tomorrow and pick out your dress, all right? I want you to be the most beautiful bride.”

“…All right.”

I lowered my head. My fingers trembled as I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes.

I’d be gone in a few days.

I would never see the wedding Damien was preparing.

Since he chose to believe a lie over the truth I told with my lips…

Then let him stay lost in those beautiful lies.