Chapter 3

Stella's POV

I ended my call with Simon, then turned to Bryan with an impassive expression. "It's nothing. Someone has been causing trouble for me. If he crosses me three more times, I'll bankrupt him for good."

Bryan came over. He couldn't resist pinching my cheek as he remarked, "As expected of you, the Ludlow family heiress. You always speak with such imposing authority. If I were in his shoes, I'd be begging for mercy right about now."

Startled, I looked at him. "Is that so? But he doesn't seem the least bit inclined to beg for mercy."

"Then you should let him suffer for a bit. He'll fall in line then."

Bryan was right about that. People only behaved themselves after they were made to suffer.

Meanwhile, Bryan changed the subject by bringing out a gift box.

Before even opening it, I already knew what was inside. Back when he was pursuing me, he loved giving me jewelry. Since I was in the habit of collecting jewelry, even when he had no money, he would still do everything he could to buy the best jewelry he could afford.

Even though the jewelry pieces he gave me were the cheapest ones in my entire collection, I still placed them in the center—simply because they were tokens of his love.

I took the gift box and slowly untied the ribbon. However, my gaze soon froze. The box did contain a piece of jewelry, but it was so crudely made that it was barely even wearable.

With just a single glance, I recognized it. It was the complimentary gift that came with the necklace Roxy wore earlier this evening.

When Bryan saw me stilling, he asked, "What's wrong? Is it not to your liking?"

I slammed the box shut and reined in my temper as I replied, "Nope. It's fine."

Bryan remained silent for a moment before snatching the box out of my hands. "Stop pretending. I know you're unsatisfied with it. You've always had high standards for everything. Since I made you unhappy by giving you something you don't like, let's just cancel it out with a free pass, okay?"

That floored me. Did the free passes mean so little to him?

I couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure you want to use one?"

Bryan nodded without thinking much of it. "I've got plenty left anyway. Using one won't hurt."

He wrapped his arms around me from behind, his tone becoming a lot more suggestive as he said, "After all, it's our wedding anniversary tonight. I don't want you to be unhappy."

For a moment, I truly wanted to inform him that he only had three more free passes left. And since he just used one for the gift, he only had two chances to go.

But in the end, I said nothing. Since he wanted to use it, so be it. I wasn't the one losing out on anything.

Seeing that I was smiling again, Bryan kissed my cheek and turned me around to start undressing me, but I soon grabbed his hand to stop him.

"I'm pretty exhausted tonight. We can do it tomorrow instead."

Bryan froze before saying in a somewhat grumbling tone, "But today's a special occasion! You're seriously ruining the mood, Stella. Well, since you're tired. I won't force you. You should go to bed then."

He took off this shirt and stepped into the bathroom.

I bent down and picked up his shirt. When I saw the lipstick mark on the inside of his shirt, my gaze dimmed.

Just then, Bryan's phone started ringing. Roxy's name flashed on the screen.

I took the call, and her coy voice immediately rang out. "Why did you leave in such a rush, Mr. Sable? I wanted to go for another round. It's such a thrill to make love to you on your wedding anniversary, and while wearing your wife's gown, too.

"Don't forget what you promised me, okay? The next time she leaves for the office, we'll do it in her bed! Mr. Sable? Are you there? Why aren't you saying anything?"

I ended the call. All the color had drained from my face.

When Bryan, wrapped in a towel, came out of the bathroom, he saw me sitting by the window with a document in hand.

"Stella? What's that?" he asked.

I didn't turn around. Looking out at the high-rise buildings in the distance, I said coolly, "Bryan, I want Star Tower, the building located in the city center."

Bryan froze, not quite understanding what I was talking about—until I held out the purchase agreement and asked quietly, "Are you willing to give it to me?"

When he saw the astronomical sum listed in the contract, his eyes flashed with hesitation.

"What's the matter? You don't want to?" I withdrew my hand, pretending to be disappointed. "You used to be so generous with me…"

"Who said I didn't want to?" Bryan snatched the document and signed his name to it.

When he handed it back to me, he bent down, his gaze serious as he looked at me. "Stella, from the moment we made our vows at our wedding ceremony, everything of mine became yours."

Smiling, I hugged him. Since my face was behind him, he couldn't see the tears clinging to the corners of my eyes.

What Bryan just said was a lie. His heart started belonging to someone else long ago.

Since that was the case, at the very least, everything else should be mine.