Chapter 002

Before I got out of bed, Wren walked inside the room.

“You’re awake!” he stated, a little nervous, I believe.

“I just woke up,” I said. “Where have you been?”

“I got a call from work and I didn’t want to wake you up,” he explained, getting into the bed.

I frowned as I glanced at the clock again. “At this time?”

“So what?” he snapped, then turned his back to me and said coldly, “Sleep, Elara. Don’t think about anything.” Then he fell asleep fast.

My heart told me that there was something off, but I was too exhausted, too sleepy to think it through.

The next time I opened my eyes, the sunlight was already in the middle of the room, and there wasn’t any trace of Wren.

I was shocked when my eyes landed on the clock. It was 12 p.m. I rushed out of bed, stormed to the living room, but as I expected: it was empty.

I tried to call Wren, but he didn’t pick up.

My stepmother’s phone was out of service.

Why the heck didn’t Wren or even my stepmother wake me up? The event would start at 3:00 p.m.

I was too late.

My heart tightened. He could at least call.

This was the quickest shower I had ever taken. Once I was done, I picked a red gown I had prepared for today. I wanted to be the most special on this day.

I applied my makeup, covered the dark circles and my pale skin, then did my hair. After I took a glance at my reflection in the mirror, I smiled and headed to the venue.

By the time I made it to the venue, it was two p.m. and the place was already fully crowded.

I stood on my toes and craned my neck, trying to spot him through the crowd.

And then I stopped.

The moment my eyes landed on him, my smile faltered.

Wren was standing among a sea of reporters, seeming so happy, so confident. Without me.

Wrapping his hand around Scarlett’s—my stepmother’s—waist.

Scarlett was in her late thirties, older than Wren by four years. After my father died two years ago, Wren assigned her as his personal assistant after I insisted he do so.

She was so sad and lonely back then; I was the only family she had left.

A piercing ache squeezed my heart. But I forced myself to smile and went forward.

He promised to announce me as a shareholder, yet here he was…

I shook my head. No! I wasn’t going to let the doubts take over me or destroy what we built together by sweat and blood.

Scarlett was the first to spot me as I stood near them. She waved happily and said, “Elara! Come here!”

Wren didn’t look at me, but when I came closer, he whispered into my ear, “I’m happy you made it here, love. I tried to wake you up but you were too sleepy.”

My heart relaxed. I pushed my stupid doubts away and hugged him. “I’m sorry, Wren. I was just so tired. The past couple of weeks were tough.”

He kissed the top of my head and then asked softly, “Can you wait for me there, honey?”

I blinked. “What? Where?”

He pointed at a table. “Wait for me there. Scarlett and I will reply to the reporters’ questions and follow you shortly.”

My heart squeezed again, but harder this time.

I felt betrayed.

“Why? This is our company’s launch. I want to stay by your side,” I said, my eyes darting from Wren to Scarlett. I was too confused.

He pushed me softly toward the table and whispered, “Scarlett and I are the face of the company. We look more professional when you are not with us. Look at your dress; it’s not even for a professional event, Elara.”

I couldn’t think. As if a bucket of cold water had been poured over my head.

I just walked to the table like a robot. My vision was blurred.

Wren had felt too distant lately. Our relationship was nothing like before. I could remember how he acted just one year ago when he signed the first contract. He insisted on me attending that dinner meeting with him even when my dress wasn’t fit.

He said that day, “Side by side, we always are.”

He broke his promise.

Tears stung the corners of my eyes.

I sat at the table, watching Scarlett standing next to Wren. The place where I should be standing now.

I, myself, supported this company with my sweat and blood. Sleepless nights. Burning eyes.

I was the hidden soldier. All my profits went straight to support this company for a whole three years.

And now, here I am. Just sitting there. Unseen.

I could not focus on the questions the reporters were asking, or what Wren was answering, but one single sentence he said pulled me out of my daze.

“Yes, of course. If it’s not for her efforts and the sleepless nights, I could not have achieved this,” Wren said.

My heart danced.

I thought he meant me.

But my hopes cracked when he wrapped his arm around Scarlett, smiling, and added, “Scarlett Kien was the hidden soldier behind the scenes. I could not thank her enough. So, I’ll be giving her five percent shares.”

My jaw dropped. Was he serious?

I straightened. Wren cast me a warning glare. I swallowed hard and rushed to the bathroom.

I stood in front of the mirror, looking at my miserable reflection. Tears were there; I could feel them burning the corners of my eyes, but they refused to fall.

A lump formed in my throat; I could barely take my breaths in.

Ting!

A message chimed in.

My hands trembled uncontrollably as I pulled my phone out of my purse.

[I will announce our engagement shortly. Wait for me in the hall. I have an urgent situation to deal with.]

I needed to breathe. I needed to smell fresh air. I needed a quiet place to think properly.

I stumbled out of the bathroom, my knees weak. The tall stairs at the corner felt like a great place to hide for a while.

Yes, to hide. I never confronted, never stood up for myself.

I just hid in the shadows.

The place upstairs was too quiet. I let out a deep breath and leaned my back on a wall as I closed my eyes.

Maybe I was exaggerating. Maybe I was absent most of the time, which made a hole between us.

I had to push these negative thoughts and try to fix our relationship.

I entered one of the rooms on the second floor to tidy up my appearance.

When I turned the doorknob and stepped inside, my world collapsed.

Wren was riding Scarlett on the couch, their lips locked. So immersed in the heat of the moment they didn’t register my presence.

Hot tears found their way down my cheeks.

“Wren!” I whispered.

A choked sob escaped my lips involuntarily.