Chapter 7

Marielle had just seen Elias into his car when she heard those last words.

Dorian realized she hadn't heard the rest of his conversation.

"A friend of mine is moving away," he said.

She accepted the explanation without another question.

Four days before his departure, Marielle brought home her wedding pictures with Elias.

She was on a video call with him, holding a framed photograph up to the camera with a dazzling smile.

"Elias, I picked up our wedding pictures! The photographer said we looked incredible together."

Dorian happened to enter the room for some water.

Marielle saw him and stiffened. Before she could explain, he glanced at the photograph and said, "It turned out well."

He meant it.

He'd paid a premium for that photographer because he'd wanted the most beautiful pictures of Marielle imaginable. She looked exactly as he'd pictured her in her wedding dress.

The only difference was the man standing beside her.

Strangely, he felt nothing. The day he'd received the pregnancy report, he'd finally withdrawn his heart from her.

Marielle stared after him. She suddenly realized he hadn't tried to have a real conversation with her for quite some time. He hadn't sent a single message during her vacation with Elias.

Elias was still talking on the screen. She pushed away her unease, telling herself Dorian was simply tired from planning the wedding.

Two days before departure, Dorian went to the hospital for a supply of medication. The research facility required residents to bring certain personal necessities with them.

At the hospital, he ran into Marielle and Elias coming out of a prenatal appointment.

She looked momentarily panicked. Before she could speak, Elias stepped forward as though he intended to kneel.

"Dorian, I know you never agreed to Marielle carrying my baby. But the doctors say I only have a year. I want so badly to see my child born. After the delivery, I'll take the baby home. I promise I won't interfere with your relationship."

Marielle immediately pulled him upright.

"You're ill. You can't strain yourself like that."

Then she faced Dorian.

"Well, now that you know, there's no point hiding it. Don't worry. I'm not far along enough for the pregnancy to interfere with our wedding."

A month earlier, Dorian would have been furious. He might even have wondered what he'd done wrong to make his fiancée choose another man.

But time had made the truth clear. She hadn't done this because he was inadequate. She'd done it because she didn't love him.

He'd known about the pregnancy for nearly two weeks and had let go of her. There was no reason to stand there while they acted as though he were cruelly keeping them apart.

"I understand," he said.

He walked away with his medication. He still had packing to finish.

Marielle watched, bewildered. He'd fought her on this issue for a month, yet now he seemed completely indifferent.

Near the stairwell, Elias caught up and grabbed his sleeve. Marielle was still some distance behind them. Elias's pitiful expression vanished.

"How does it feel knowing you're going to raise another man's kid?" he sneered. "Your wife will be carrying my baby at your wedding. I guess you're the only guy who'd put up with that."

Dorian pulled his arm free. Elias immediately pitched toward the stairs.

Dorian instinctively caught him before he fell.

His hand was still gripping Elias's arm when Marielle's angry voice rang out behind them.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Elias changed expressions instantly.

"Marielle, I just wanted to thank him for being understanding, but he..."

Her face darkened.

"Dorian, I never thought you'd stoop this low. Apologize to Elias. Now."