Chapter 3

The days that followed unfolded exactly as Alban had promised. He barely left the hospital, staying at Davina's side around the clock.

When urgent matters arose at the company, his assistant delivered a laptop and documents directly to her room and arranged them before him so he could work without stepping away.

If Davina so much as mentioned craving a particular fruit, Alban would send a private jet overseas to procure it. The fruit would return the same day, washed, sliced, and set neatly on her table.

To coax her into eating more, he rewarded her bite by bite, placing a gold bar beside her plate for every mouthful she swallowed.

The story dominated headlines for days.

Eliza saw every report. She only offered a distant smile, as though the spectacle had nothing to do with her.

…

On the day Jessleton University celebrated its centennial anniversary, Eliza attended as an invited alumna, recognized as one of its outstanding graduates.

After signing in at the gate, she immediately spotted a familiar pair in the crowd. They stood out too clearly to miss. Alban was there, with Davina at his side.

They had already seen her. Avoiding them was impossible, so Eliza walked over.

Davina greeted her first, her tone bright and friendly. "Ms. Lockett, you graduated from Jessleton University too?"

Eliza nodded.

Alban studied her with a slight frown. "Which year?"

"Class of '17."

Davina's eyes widened. "Then you were in the same year as Al's brother."

She leaned closer, curiosity plain on her face. "Ms. Lockett, did you know his brother? I heard Ky had a girlfriend back then, someone he absolutely adored. He even planned to bring her home to meet the family. It's just a shame that…"

Her voice trailed off. Realizing she had crossed a line, Davina quickly apologized to Alban.

Kyran's death remained a forbidden subject in the Sidham family. They had sealed that wound for years and allowed no one to touch it.

Eliza felt her body tremble. Beneath her sleeve, her fingers curled into her palm until her nails bit into her skin. Her chest tightened, as if unseen hands were pressing the air from her lungs.

Alban's expression darkened as well. Because it was Davina who brought it up, he swallowed his irritation and shifted the subject. He said they had walked enough and should go eat.

The three of them went to a restaurant. When they ordered, every dish catered to Davina's preferences.

Throughout the meal, Alban attended to her with meticulous care. He cut her steak and removed every bone from the fish before placing it neatly before her.

Halfway through, Eliza excused herself to the restroom. As she approached the stalls, she heard Davina inside, speaking on the phone.

Eliza had no interest in listening. She was about to knock as a courtesy when she heard Alban's name.

"Of course. If I didn't do it this way, how would Al stay completely devoted to me?

"You mean his wife? What kind of wife is she? The way Al treats her, everyone in our circle can see it.

"Don't worry. I know my limits. I'm much better at playing hard to get than you are. As long as I pretend not to notice his feelings, we can keep this ambiguous. That way his feelings will only deepen, until he can't live without me.

"The harder something is to get, the more precious it becomes. You understand, right?"

'So that's how Davina sees it.' Eliza smiled faintly. 'The innocent crush everyone believes in is nothing of the sort.'

The door opened. Davina stepped out and froze when she saw Eliza at the sink, adjusting her clothes.

Her expression shifted at once. She bit her lip. "How long have you been here? How much did you hear?"

Eliza remained silent.

Davina hurried on. "You'd better not tell Al anything. He won't believe you."

Watching her flustered panic, Eliza felt only boredom. She dried her hands and turned to leave.

Davina suddenly grabbed her wrist from behind. Eliza had no time to react.

In the next instant, Davina hurled herself into the wall, then collapsed to the floor in tears.

The noise drew Alban immediately. He arrived to find Davina on the ground, tears streaking her face, her forehead already red and swelling.

Eliza stood nearby, looking down at her with a cold expression.

Alban rushed forward and gathered Davina into his arms. Then his sharp gaze cut toward Eliza. "Did you push her?"

Before Eliza could answer, Davina cried out, "Al, my head hurts so much. Ms. Lockett seems to really hate me."

At the sight of her injury, Alban's heart tightened. He lifted Davina and strode away.

Eliza turned to leave, but he shoved her aside with force. She stood near the stairs. Her foot slipped. Her body pitched forward and tumbled down, step after step.

The world spun. Pain tore through her as if her bones were splintering.

She forced herself upright and braced one hand against the floor. When she lifted it, her palm was slick with blood.

Panic surged at the thought of the child inside her. Her voice shook as she cried out, "Alban, don't go. Call an ambulance. Please. Call 911."

The man at the top of the stairs looked down at her. His eyes were cold, stripped of mercy. "You dared lay a hand on Vina. This is your punishment."

He turned and walked away, Davina still in his arms.

As his figure disappeared, Eliza felt her heart split open. She could endure any injury herself. Her child could not.

Blood spread across the floor, a vivid red that deepened her terror. Despair closed in.

With trembling hands, she fumbled for her phone and dialed emergency services. She forced herself to give the address. After that, her strength gave out.

Darkness swallowed her.

…

In that long stretch of black, she dreamed of Kyran standing beside her as he once had. He rested a gentle hand over her stomach, his voice warm and tender. "I wonder if our baby is a boy or a girl. Either way, I'll love them."

"Who do you think the baby will resemble more? You or me?" she asked.

"Like you," he answered with a smile. "You're the most beautiful."

Sunlight lit his face with such clarity that it seemed he had never left. She reached out to touch his cheek.

Her trembling fingers met only cold air.

When she opened her eyes, she lay in a hospital bed.

Gauze wrapped her injuries. A doctor stood beside her, changing the dressing.

When he saw she was awake, his tone sharpened with concern. "You're pregnant. How did you fall down such a high staircase? Fortunately, you were lucky. The baby is safe. Have your husband come handle the paperwork."

Eliza stared at the ceiling.

"I don't have a husband," she said quietly. "My husband is already dead."

The ward door flew open.

Alban stood there, his face dark with anger. "Who did you say was dead?"