Chapter 2: A Familiar Face With Unfamiliar Figure

JULIET

I sat at the dining table picking at my meal, my eyes constantly darting to the wall clock.

It was past 9:00 PM, but Andrew wasn't back yet. This was the first time I could remember him returning later than expected.

I stared at his covered plate. Everything I had witnessed today felt like a nightmare. Sofia had been with the Morales before I arrived, and she was two years older than me. Had their affair been going on before I came into the picture? If so, why didn't Andrew just refuse to marry me? When his family asked, he had been so willing.

What on earth is going on? I couldn't stop the tears that spilled over my cheeks.

At this point, my mind was a total blank. I couldn't think of how a child was ever going to happen, or if I should still go through with drugging him. But I knew I would do anything to keep my mother alive. She was the only family I had left.

Suddenly, the front door swung open, and Andrew stepped inside. His eyes met mine, a warm smile spreading across his face as he walked toward me. His sleeves were rolled up, his dark hair was messy, and his tie hung carelessly loose around his collar.

“I'm so sorry, my love. Work today was absolute chaos,” he grinned, pulling out a chair to sit across from me before digging into his food. He made that satisfied expression that always used to make me blush like a fool. I used to love seeing him enjoy my cooking, but now I only stared at him like he was a total stranger.

“You are so good at this, I just...” He paused, his expression shifting into one of deep sorrow. “I just wish I could give you a child. But my health...”

My fists clenched so tightly I wanted to punch him straight in the face. Whenever he did this in the past, I would always sympathize with him, comforting him and telling him we would try harder together. But tonight, I stayed completely still, silently eating my meal.

He seemed to pick up on my cold behavior. Clearing his throat, he reached across the table for my hand. My skin crawled at his touch in a way I never expected.

I slowly lifted my head to meet his gaze—those charming hazel eyes that I used to be too flustered to hold for more than a few seconds. But to my own surprise, I kept my eyes locked on his without flinching.

“Juliet, tonight I'll make an exception. Even if I feel weak, I'll keep pushing. I can try harder, even if it hurts... I just want you to be happy,” he said, looking at me with total sincerity.

My God... how can someone be such a two-faced monster? This was nothing like the man I saw earlier today. He was a terrifyingly good actor.

I slowly pulled my hand back and stood up.

“Andrew, I'm exhausted tonight. Maybe we can try another time,” I replied flatly.

I left the dining room, catching the quick flash of shock on his face before I walked away. Honestly, I was surprised by myself, too. I was supposed to jump at this opportunity to get pregnant despite catching him cheating, but a part of me was just too disgusted by his touch.

“Juliet,” he called out.

My heart dropped, and my steps faltered. I didn't turn around, but I stopped.

“Grandma wants us to come over tomorrow. Adrian came back tonight, so she's hosting a party for him,” he said softly.

I said nothing, continuing my way upstairs. Tomorrow would just be another day of humiliation. Any major gathering the Moraleses hosted was just another opportunity for them to remind me of where I stood. Andrew always used to defend me, but right now, I didn't care whether he did or not.

******

Morning came all too fast. Andrew had been on the phone with his twin brother most of the night, having conversations about various things I paid zero attention to—the crushing weight of my three-month deadline was already killing me. I didn't even know when I eventually fell asleep, but Andrew was no longer in bed when I woke up.

I dressed and made my way downstairs; I froze as I reached the kitchen. Andrew was at the gas stove making breakfast—something he never did.

“Morning, my love! Just, sit down,” he said sweetly.

My brows furrowed in utter disbelief as I slowly took a seat. He brought over a plate of toast, set it on the table, and poured me a glass of orange juice.

“Eat,” he offered gently.

I stared at him for a moment. What on earth had gotten into him?

“Look, Juliet... I really don't know what I did wrong to make you so cold to me last night, but I hope you can forgive me,” he said, his voice dripping with affection.

My chest tightened as I looked at him. Did I even have a choice not to forgive him? It wasn't like I had anyone standing in my corner if I chose to hold a grudge.

I gave him a slow, silent nod.

He grinned, leaning in close to press a quick kiss to my lips. My stomach turned in complete disgust, but I forced my face to stay completely blank.

“Let me go get dressed. I'm desperate to see how tall Adrian got—Mother said he seems taller than me now,” he joked, rushing upstairs.

My gaze followed his retreating figure, and before I could stop them, hot tears slipped down my cheeks. Why was Andrew toying with my emotions like this?

A short while later, Andrew and I arrived at the Morales estate. The entire driveway was packed with high-end luxury cars.

I held onto Andrew’s arm as we made our way inside. Just like always, eyes turned to burn holes through me. I didn't need them to say a word; their snobbish expressions said everything.

“Don't worry about them. You are beautiful, and you deserve to be by my side,” Andrew whispered in my ear.

My heart ached with a bitter pain, but I kept my face still.

Suddenly, my eyes landed on Sofia. She was standing near the lounge area, talking to a man whose back was turned to us. He stood tall and unmoving, one hand casually tucked in his pocket while the other held a glass of champagne. Even from behind, he radiated a cold, dominant presence. Sofia kept chatting nervously, shyly tucking her hair behind her ear while a crowd of other young women hovered nearby, looking for an opening to introduce themselves.

Who could that be?

“Mother, you look as beautiful as ever,” Andrew's voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality as we approached his family.

Andrew’s mother was standing with her younger sister.

“Aunt Bianca, you're looking so young it's actually getting concerning,” Andrew joked, making her burst into laughter.

I pressed my lips together and bowed low, my hand still resting on Andrew’s arm.

Andrew’s mother and aunt stared down at me for a silent moment.

“So, did you do as Grandma asked? "His mother asked immediately, getting straight to the point.

My heart sank into my stomach. A thick, suffocating silence settled over us, but before I could open my mouth to speak, Andrew cleared his throat.

“So, where's my brother? I'm dying to see how much he's changed in eighteen months.”

They both pointed across the room. Andrew and I shifted our gaze in the direction of their fingers.

My eyes blinked in shock at the familiar face and the unfamiliar figure walking toward us with Sofia by his side.

Wait... was the man I was just staring at... Adrian?