Chapter 4

Elara’s POV

An hour later, the taxi stopped outside the Varek mansion. I paid the driver and stepped out.

The massive estate stood before me, illuminated by golden lights. Apparently, I had lived here for three years. Yet standing in front of it now felt no different from standing in front of a stranger’s house.

I pushed open the front door and stepped inside. The sound of laughter immediately reached my ears.

A woman’s laughter.

I followed the sound toward the living room then stopped.

A beautiful woman sat curled up comfortably on one of the couches. A wine glass rested in her hand while an expensive suit jacket hung loosely around her shoulders.

A man sat across from her, a laptop open on his lap.

The woman noticed me first. A smile spread across her face.

“You’re finally back.”

Lilith Laurent, Karl’s ex-girlfriend and she was with Karl, my supposed husband.

The woman Mira spent half the day talking about.

Karl looked up from his laptop. His gaze swept over me briefly then he looked back down at the screen.

“You’re late.”

I blinked. “I was in the hospital.”

“And yet here you are.”

I stared at him. For a second, I genuinely wondered how I had managed not to strangle him during our marriage.

Lilith laughed softly. “You really worried everyone.”

She sipped her wine elegantly. “Karl even left an important meeting because of your little stunt.”

Karl finally closed his laptop. “You seem determined to argue today.”

I looked at him. “You seem determined to be unpleasant.”

Lilith’s eyes widened while Karl stared at me like I was a stranger.

“What’s your problem?”

I almost laughed. “My problem?”

“Yes.”

I looked around the room. “Honestly? I’m still trying to narrow the list down.”

Lilith nearly choked on her drink.

Karl’s jaw tightened. “Enough.”

“Fine,” I shrugged, “Let’s start with something simple.”

My gaze shifted toward Lilith.

“Who are you?”

She blinked. “What?”

“I know your name but who exactly are you in this house?”

The smile disappeared from her face. Karl’s expression darkened immediately.

“Lilith is my guest,” Karl said coldly. “And you will treat her as such.”

I stared at him. “And I’m your wife.”

His expression didn’t change. “Then stop embarrassing yourself in front of her.”

I nodded slowly, “A very permanent guest.”

Lilith sat up straighter, “I don’t understand what you’re implying.”

“Really?” I gestured toward the jacket draped over her shoulders. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like everyone in this house forgot who Karl’s wife is.”

The room went completely silent. For the first time, neither of them had an answer.

Lilith recovered first. “You shouldn’t be insecure.”

I laughed. “Insecure?”

Lilith’s smile became strained. “Yes.”

I shook my head. “You’re mistaken. You’d have to matter for me to be insecure.”

Her face froze.

Karl immediately stood. “That’s enough.”

I turned toward him. “Why?”

“Because you’re being ridiculous.”

My eyebrows rose. “Your ex-girlfriend lives in your house.”

“She doesn’t live here. We have investors coming tomorrow. You’ll be attending dinner.”

I folded my arms. “And if I don’t want to?”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“Why?”

Karl’s eyes hardened.

“Because the only reason you’re standing in this house is because my grandfather wanted it.”

The room fell silent.

Lilith’s lips curved upward slightly.

“Karl—”

“No.” His gaze remained fixed on me. “If she’s going to stay here, then she has to act accordingly.”

I smiled sweetly. “That’s unfortunate. It appears I lost the part of my brain that tolerated you.”

Lilith’s mouth fell open. Karl looked stunned.

Satisfied, I turned around and walked away.

—

I had barely reached the bedroom when my phone rang.

I frowned slightly before answering the unknown number.

“Hello?”

“Miss Elara?” a woman’s voice asked politely. “This is St. Mary’s Hospital.”

My brows pulled together slightly.

“Yes?”

“We’re calling regarding the emergency blood transfusion performed during your surgery.”

Confusion settled inside me immediately.

“What about it?”

“The donor who saved your life shares an extremely rare blood type with you.”

I frowned slightly.

“And?”

“The individual has requested to meet you. They believe you may be connected to their family.”