Chapter 3

As soon as Quentin finished speaking, Zoe began to sob in the video.

"Yes, I know. I brought this on myself. I knew you were married and that Lauren was the only one you loved, but I still couldn't give up.

“I kept throwing myself at you and letting you toy with me every day! Do you think I want to live like this? If I didn't love you so much, why would I humiliate myself?"

The sight of tears streaming down her face made Quentin stop moving.

His voice stayed harsh, but his movements grew gentler.

"One harsh word and you're in tears? Where did all that nerve go? You were eager enough to seduce me a minute ago. Didn't you say you wanted my body, not my heart?"

Zoe said nothing. She only cried harder.

At last, Quentin gave in. He bent down and kissed the tears from her face. "All right. Be good. What present do you want? I'll buy it for you."

Zoe spoke through her tears. "I want... I want the necklace you bought Lauren, and the breakfast you just went out to get for her!"

Quentin frowned. "Pick something else."

"Why can't I have those? That's what I want."

When tears began to fall again, Quentin had no choice but to give in.

"Fine. You can have them. You can have anything. Please stop crying, all right? Come here. Let me kiss you."

Lauren already knew Quentin had betrayed her, but seeing it for herself still tore her apart.

Pain seized her chest.

She doubled over, drenched in sweat.

She bit her lip hard, but she couldn't stifle the sobs rising in her throat.

“Quentin…

“Oh, Quentin.

“At fifteen, you stumbled through a confession and told me I was the only girl who ever made your heart race.

“At twenty-two, you knelt before me with a ring and promised you'd love only me for the rest of your life.

“So, your forever lasted only a few years.”

Her nails pierced her skin, and blood began to well up.

Still, her fingers dug deeper, as if the pain were the only thing that could hold back the agony in her heart.

She sat motionless at the dining table, staring into space.

Tears poured down her face.

She didn't know how much time passed before the image on her phone returned to normal.

A little later, Quentin came through the door, fully dressed.

"Lauren, I'm back..."

His gentle voice stopped short when he saw the tears on her face.

His heart lurched, and he rushed to her side.

"Lauren, why are you crying?"

Lauren fought to control her emotions.

She pulled out a tissue and answered in a hoarse voice.

"It's nothing. I just got emotional over a TV show."

Quentin took the tissue and gently wiped away her tears, his eyes full of concern.

"What show made you cry like this?"

"Do you want to see it?"

Quentin paused, then stroked her hair fondly. "Sure, show me. I'll have it taken down afterward. How dare it make my sweetheart cry?"

He reached for her phone.

Just as Quentin was about to tap the screen, Lauren spoke. "Where are the cinnamon rolls you bought?"

His hand froze for a moment. Then he pulled her close and apologized anxiously.

"I'm sorry, Lauren. They'd sold out and closed by the time I got there. I'll get you some tomorrow, all right?"

As he finished speaking, Zoe walked in with a bag and held it up triumphantly.

"I got the last order of cinnamon rolls. Lauren, would you like me to give it to you?"

Lauren said nothing.

Her gaze went straight to Zoe's neck.

The plain silver necklace Zoe wore looked much like the one her mother left her.

Quentin must have found a similar necklace overnight to cheer her up.

Zoe only had to coax him a little, and he gave it to her instead.

Zoe noticed Lauren looking.

She stepped closer and lifted the necklace so Lauren could get a better look, smiling as she spoke.

"Pretty, isn't it? I just bought it. Lauren, do you think it suits me?"

Lauren studied it for a long time.

Then she smiled, and tears came to her eyes.

"It suits you."

She didn't wait to see their reactions. She turned and went upstairs.

That evening, Lauren ate a little dinner and returned to her room.

As soon as she sat down, pain gripped her lower abdomen.

It cramped and felt as heavy as lead.

Her strength gave out, and she collapsed onto the sofa.

Cold sweat seeped through her sweater until it was damp.

Quentin followed her upstairs. When he saw how much pain she was in, he knew it was her period. He hurried down to make her a warm drink.

He fed it to her one sip at a time, gave her some medicine, then rubbed his hands warm and rested them gently over her stomach.

He held her close and wished he could bear the pain for her. The concern in his eyes was almost too much to bear.

"Sweetheart, let's not have children, all right? I can barely stand seeing you in this much pain during your period. I can't imagine what childbirth would be like."

Lauren lifted her pale face and looked at him quietly. Her voice was weak.

"What would your parents think if we didn't have children?"

"I don't care what they think. Nothing matters more than you! If they try to force me, I'll leave the Hale family and give up my inheritance!"

He kissed her neck tenderly as he spoke. "Lauren, I've told you before. I could spend a lifetime spoiling you, and it still wouldn't be enough. You're my baby, and I'll spoil you forever."