Chapter 4

At that moment, Caleb took out a delicate box he had clearly prepared in advance.

Inside lay a pink tasseled dress with an intricate, elaborate design.

Ariana needed only one glance. Exhaustion crept into her voice as she said, "I don't like this color. Take it back."

After all this time together, he still didn't know that she disliked bright, flashy colors—or what styles dominated her wardrobe.

How laughable.

This dress looked far more like something Selene would love. Was that why he assumed all women dressed like this?

Even Ethan—someone she'd barely met—had managed to hit her aesthetic preferences perfectly. Yet, Caleb couldn't. It was as if fate delighted in reminding her, at the most inconvenient moments, what a joke of a life she had chosen for herself.

Caleb frowned, studying her expression, trying to decide whether she genuinely disliked the gift or was simply sulking.

In the past, even a cheap, thoughtless trinket from him would make her beam like a child. She would treasure it, tuck it away like a prized possession.

Whatever. Ariana was probably just acting up to get his attention—to make him care more. Women were all like that.

"It's fine," he said casually. "Your birthday's in a few days anyway. We'll make up for tonight's candlelight dinner then. As for the gift—what do you want?"

Since he asked, Ariana didn't hold back.

"No need for a birthday gift. Since you already spent the wedding money without telling me, I think asking for the old villa at the family estate isn't too much, is it?"

That house was one she'd helped Caleb's mother pick out years ago. Its market value was staggering, and its location was among the best in Emerson City.

More importantly, it was right next to Horghen City—only a short drive away. If she needed to go back and forth for personal matters, it would give her a temporary foothold. Convenient, discreet, and far from Caleb's line of sight. It would grant her a little peace and quiet.

Caleb was clearly taken aback. His brows knit together.

"But my mom lives there now. I can't exactly ask her to move into a neighbor's place."

Ariana's tone remained calm, but firm.

"You can bring your mom here for a few days. After that, find her a new place downtown and move her there."

As she saw that he was still hesitating, her expression cooled instantly.

"If you don't want to, forget it."

How ridiculous—she'd actually harbored a sliver of hope, expecting him to make some kind of amends.

Caleb caught the chill in her eyes, and his heart tightened. The words spilled out before he could think. "Fine, fine. I'll agree."

This time, it was Ariana who was surprised. She hadn't expected him to actually say yes.

Seeing her expression soften, Caleb quietly let out a breath of relief.

When Ariana was unhappy, his own mood was inexplicably affected. After all these years, how could there be no feelings at all?

On second thought, bringing his mother over might not be a bad idea. It would be a good chance to test Ariana's attitude toward Selene—let Selene come around more often, ease the relationship. After all, his mother was fairly satisfied with Ariana, and back then… she hadn't liked Selene very much.

Back in her room, Ariana took out the diamond ring Ethan had given her. The more she looked at it, the more beautiful it seemed. She slipped it on—and it fit perfectly, accentuating her fingers.

A few days later.

Ariana drove back after running errands. Passing by the company, she "ran into" Selene downstairs.

Before she even got close, she overheard Selene on the phone, her voice soft with complaint.

"Caleb, do you really have to be busy tomorrow too? You promised to have dinner with us today. Michael and I have been waiting forever… He just wants his dad to spend more time with him…"

These past few days, Ariana had deliberately taken sick leave. Work had piled up at the Miller Group, leaving Caleb swamped.

Beside Selene, little Michael tugged at her skirt and whined, "Mom, I'm hungry, I'm hungry! Let's go eat at Dad's place tonight! Have that old hag Ariana cook for us! That way, I get Dad and food!"

The two of them acted as if they were completely at home.

The very next second, Ariana's phone rang inside the car.

Caleb's voice came through.

"Ari, I promised to talk business with Selene today, but I got too busy and made her and Michael wait for a long time. I feel bad, so I invited them over for dinner at our place. Go get things ready—and prepare an extra portion for Mom too, okay?

"Michael's picky—no fish, no cilantro. Make the dishes a bit more elaborate. As for Selene, it'd be best if you let her choose—"

She pressed down the disgust surging in her chest and cut him off expressionlessly.

"Mm, say that again. The signal here isn't great—hello? Hello…"

Beep. Beep. Beep.

They both knew perfectly well that today was the day Caleb's mother, Sandra Gibson, was moving in. For him to invite Selene over at a moment like this—his intention couldn't have been more obvious.

He was bold enough to do it right out in the open now.

Fine.

A mocking curve lifted Ariana's lips. She might as well go along with it and see how this little show played out.

…

At the Miller family residence, Sandra sat upright in the living room, her sharp gaze sweeping over the servants bustling back and forth.

"Good evening, Madam."

"Where's Caleb?"

The butler replied respectfully, "Mr. Miller is tied up with work and can't make it back for now. He instructed Miss Cooper to receive you properly once she returned."

When Ariana walked in, Sandra's stern expression finally softened a little.

"Ari, come sit."

Ariana complied and took a seat.

Though Sandra was strong-willed by nature, she treated Ariana reasonably well. She wasn't thrilled about Ariana's family background, but a daughter-in-law who was easy to control and wholly devoted to her son's future was rarely disliked in a traditional household.

At the very least, Ariana's efforts were acknowledged.

"What have you been busy with lately?" Sandra asked. "And you and Caleb—when exactly is the wedding?"

Ariana answered honestly. "He's been dealing with several major clients recently. He said we'll postpone the wedding for a while."

Sandra looked thoughtful. "It's better to get it done sooner rather than later. You're an honest child—already giving him your whole heart before even marrying in. If this drags on, I'm afraid another family might snatch you away."

Ariana simply let out a sardonic smile.

If she ran, it would only be because of Caleb.

Just then, Selene appeared at the entrance of the Miller residence.

"Good evening, Sandra," she said with a gentle smile. "Caleb and I are friends from work. He invited us over to have a meal."

The moment Sandra saw her, her pupils contracted. For an instant, she almost thought she'd seen wrong. Her gaze sharpened, her surprise and displeasure undisguised.

Ariana didn't miss the clear flash of distaste on Sandra's face.

She took in the subtle undercurrent between the two women but chose not to expose it. Rising at just the right moment, she played the role of the gracious hostess.

"You chat first. I'll go prepare dinner."

In truth, she hadn't prepared much at all—Caleb had invited guests without her consent.

"Go on," Sandra said.

When she looked at Ariana, her gaze was noticeably gentler. That tiny difference in attitude spoke volumes about where her favor lay.

The living room was left with only Sandra, Selene and Michael.

"Didn't you refuse to marry Caleb no matter what back then?" Sandra went straight to the point, her tone cold and hard. "So why come back now? Your family looked down on my son, and our family may not think much of you either."

As for Selene's family "looking down" on Caleb—Selene was an illegitimate daughter. How much standing could she really have? In Sandra's eyes, it was obvious: Selene had simply gotten bored and found an excuse to dump her son.

Sandra had never believed Selene truly loved him. In temperament alone, she was calculating and insincere—nowhere near as sensible as Ariana.

When Selene left back then, Sandra had actually felt relieved.

Selene forced a smile.

"Sandra, you misunderstand. I've loved Caleb all these years. Otherwise… I wouldn't have given birth to Michael."

Age brought wisdom. Sandra's gaze remained indifferent as she glanced lightly at the child.

"Whether he's really a Miller by blood—that's hard to say."

Selene's face changed instantly. She stood up abruptly.

"What do you mean by that?!"