Chapter 2

Late at night, Sebastian and Carl returned home.

As usual, Carl wrapped his arms around mine and acted spoiled. "Mom, I missed you so much today, like I always do."

Sebastian pulled out a bouquet of roses from his arms. "I got you pink Jumilia roses today."

Looking into their affectionate eyes, I felt a chill run down my spine. Why was I incapable of acting as naturally as they did?

The smile on my lips almost failed to hold. "It's getting late. You should go to sleep."

Carl chimed in, "Yeah! We still have to attend the award ceremony tomorrow. I'm so excited!"

He couldn't hide the excitement in his voice.

Worried that he might reveal something, Sebastian shot me a cautious glance. I pretended not to understand and got up to walk toward the bedroom.

Fresh flowers filled the vase by the bedside every single day. Sebastian remembered that roses were my favorite, so he always bought me different varieties.

Now, every sweet memory had been brutally shattered by the ugly truth.

My whole body trembled uncontrollably as I used all the money left in my account to book a plane ticket to leave. I tossed and turned the entire night and only fell asleep when it was almost dawn.

Upon being awakened by a burst of laughter, I walked out of the bedroom in a daze.

The moment the people outside saw me, they instantly fell silent.

My eyes caught the agate jewelry around Jolene's neck and wrist, and I froze in place.

Sebastian explained in a low voice, "Jolene is receiving an important award today. She didn't have any suitable jewelry to match her outfit, so I lent her this set."

That was the jewelry symbolizing the status of the lady of the Lester household. Yet, it was lent to an outsider like Jolene so casually and tactlessly.

Jolene walked over and held my hand. "Pamela, I'm really thankful to Seb for lending me this set of jewelry. Otherwise, I am going to make a fool of myself today."

My gaze fell on her glamorous appearance, and bitterness surged through my heart.

After five years in prison, my skin had become rough. Five of my fingers had been broken. My joints had also become enlarged and ugly.

Sebastian never allowed me to attend any public events. And knowing my own place, I never blamed him for it.

Worried that I might overthink things, he kept explaining, "Pamela, I'm just afraid those media reporters will publish something that may hurt you."

I had stupidly believed all his lies.

At the present moment, Sebastian himself seemed dazzled by Jolene, who was wearing the jewelry.

He couldn't help but try to comfort me. "Pamela, you never liked attending public events anyway. Why not just give this set of jewelry to Jolene? She's become an internationally renowned photographer now. She needs some expensive jewelry to uphold her image."

My grandma had personally handed me the agate jewelry before she died. As I was afraid of damaging it, I had always stored it away in the safe carefully.

Had Sebastian completely forgotten that this particular set of jewelry symbolized one's status as the lady of the Lester family?

I suppressed my anger, and my gaze landed on their tightly clasped hands. Bitterness spread within my heart.

Once upon a time, he used to hold my hand like that too.

Sebastian sighed, as if he were being very understanding. "Never mind. If you don't want to, I won't force you. But just lend it to Jolene for today."

Carl pouted from the side. "Mom, our kindergarten teacher told us that we should generously share good things!"

I recalled their conversation from last night. Since I was already preparing to leave, this jewelry would eventually end up in Jolene's hands anyway.

Forget it. I didn't want to argue with them anymore.

I closed my eyes bitterly and turned to leave.

Sebastian grabbed my wrist. "Pamela, you should come to the award ceremony too."

"Yeah, Mom! The three of us haven't attended an event together in so long!" Carl ran over and hugged my leg pleadingly.

If I hadn't discovered the truth last night, I would have willingly and foolishly gone there just so they could use me like a tool.

I gently pushed Carl away and looked at Sebastian. "If I go, I'm afraid it'll attract attention…"

Afraid of losing the contrast I provided, Jolene hurried forward and warmly grabbed my hand.

She said earnestly, "Pamela, it's my award ceremony. Of course, I want the whole family to be together."

I wanted to refuse again, but Sebastian made the decision for me. "Just come. Jolene's begging you already. Can you really bear to ruin her mood?"

Left with no choice, I nodded. "Fine. I'll go get changed."

I opened the wardrobe, but everything inside was outdated and old-fashioned. In the end, I picked out a white dress that was barely wearable.

After I was done getting ready, I walked out of the villa. I saw Sebastian and Jolene already seated in his Bentley.

When Sebastian turned and saw me, a flash of amazement crossed his eyes.

Jolene clearly hadn't expected that even if I was dressed simply, my beauty still shone through.

Furious, she clenched her fists tightly and said, "Pamela, I have to walk the red carpet with Seb, so I'm afraid we can't take you in the car with us."

I frowned. What now? Was I supposed to walk there?

Sebastian looked at me awkwardly. "Pamela, there's no time for me to hail a ride for you. How about this? You can make do with Adam's electric scooter in the garden."

Carl clapped his little hands excitedly. "You'd look so cool riding a scooter when you're dressed so nicely!"

The whole situation was incredibly ironic. I was Sebastian's wife, yet I wasn't even worth the trouble for him to arrange another ride to take me to the destination.

Without saying a word, I walked toward the scooter. Before I could even start it, the Bentley had already sped away with a loud roar.