Chapter 4

Third Person POV

Chelsea was still seated on the sofa exactly where she had been earlier. Her posture was careful, almost delicate. One hand rested lightly on her stomach while the other gripped the edge of the cushion.

She looked nervous almost as if the entire confrontation had exhausted her.

Mrs. Ainsworth studied her quietly.

Then her expression softened.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

She walked across the living room and stopped in front of Chelsea.

“Thank you,” she said warmly.

Chelsea blinked in surprise and looked up.

“For giving my son what that woman never could.”

Mrs. Ainsworth’s gaze slowly drifted down to Chelsea’s stomach.

“An heir.”

Chelsea lowered her head shyly and rubbed her stomach, her fingers moving in small circles over the fabric of her dress.

“It’s… it’s nothing,” she murmured softly.

Mrs. Ainsworth’s smile widened slightly.

Then she turned to one of the maids standing near the entrance.

“Call everyone,” she ordered calmly. “Now.”

The maid bowed quickly and hurried away.

Within a few minutes, the quiet mansion began to stir as the staff gathered in the grand living room.

The cook arrived first, wiping her hands nervously on her apron.

Behind her came the two drivers, both dressed neatly in their uniforms.

The gardeners followed then finally, the head housekeeper, Mrs. Winslow, entered the room with steady steps.

The staff formed a respectful line, waiting for Mrs. Ainsworth to speak.

Chelsea shifted slightly on the sofa as all eyes moved toward her.

Mrs. Ainsworth stood proudly beside her.

“Everyone,” she began, her voice firm and authoritative, “I have something important to announce.”

The staff straightened immediately.

“This young woman,” Mrs. Ainsworth continued, placing a gentle hand on Chelsea’s arm, “is now the lady of this house.”

Soft murmurs rippled through the line of staff members.

Mrs. Ainsworth continued without hesitation.

“She is carrying Dominic’s child.”

Her voice carried across the room.

“The first heir of the Ainsworth family.”

Chelsea lowered her head again as if embarrassed by the attention. She rubbed her stomach lightly, a shy smile touching her lips.

“You will treat her with the highest respect,” Mrs. Ainsworth added. “Every need she has must be attended to immediately.”

The staff lowered their heads politely.

“Yes, madam.”

But not everyone looked convinced.

Mrs. Winslow nodded slowly, her lips pressed into a thin line.

The other staff exchanged brief, uneasy glances.

Something about the situation felt… wrong.

To them, the lady of the house had always been Sephora.

She had never spoken harshly to them. She had greeted them with warmth, remembered their names, and treated them like people rather than servants.

Now, after one chaotic afternoon, they were suddenly expected to accept another woman in her place.

Chelsea noticed the tension in the room.

But she kept her expression gentle.

“I hope I won’t trouble anyone,” she said softly. “I’m really grateful to be here.”

Her voice sounded humble and careful.

But Mrs. Winslow watched her closely.

Something about the girl’s sweetness felt… rehearsed.

Mrs. Ainsworth turned to the housekeeper.

“Winslow.”

“Yes, madam.”

“Take Chelsea upstairs.”

The housekeeper nodded slightly.

“To Mr. Dominic’s bedroom.”

Mrs. Winslow froze.

Chelsea noticed the hesitation immediately and spoke quickly.

“Oh… it’s alright,” she said softly. “I can stay in the guest house if that makes everyone more comfortable.”

She looked down at her hands.

“I don’t want to cause any problems.”

Mrs. Winslow blinked in surprise.

“Winslow.”

Her tone carried a warning.

“Do not act funny.”

Mrs. Winslow straightened immediately.

“This girl carries Dominic’s child,” Mrs. Ainsworth said firmly.

Her eyes swept across the entire room.

“My grandchild.”

Silence settled over the staff.

“So she will stay in Dominic’s room.”

Mrs. Ainsworth turned back to the housekeeper.

“Take her there. Now.”

No one argued.

Mrs. Winslow lowered her head.

“My apologies, madam.”

She gestured politely toward the staircase.

“This way.”

Chelsea stood up slowly and followed her.

The hallway upstairs was long and beautifully decorated. Framed paintings lined the walls while warm golden lights reflected off the polished floors.

They stopped in front of the largest door at the end of the corridor.

Mrs. Winslow opened the door to Dominic’s bedroom quietly.

“Here we are.”

Chelsea stepped inside, her eyes widening instantly.

A massive king-sized bed sat in the center. Tall windows stretched from floor to ceiling, overlooking the gardens outside. Expensive furniture filled the space, and soft carpets covered the polished wood floor.

Everything looked elegant.

“If you need anything,” she said carefully, “you can call the staff.”

Chelsea smiled politely.

“Thank you, Mrs. Winslow.”

The housekeeper gave a small nod but still looked uneasy.

She quietly left the room.

Not long after, Dominic returned from his study.

He pushed open the bedroom door and immediately froze.

His expression darkening.

“What are you doing here?”

Before she could answer, another voice spoke from the hallway.

“She will stay here.”

Mrs. Ainsworth walked inside calmly.

Dominic turned sharply.

“Mother—”

“It is the right thing.”

“She can stay in the guest house.”

“No,” Mrs. Ainsworth said firmly. “She is carrying your child.”

Dominic dragged a hand through his hair in frustration.

“This is ridiculous.”

Mrs. Ainsworth’s gaze hardened.

“Chelsea needs to be near you for the sake of the baby.”

Dominic opened his mouth to argue again but his mother cut him off.

“This discussion is over.”

Dominic’s jaw tightened.

Chelsea stood quietly beside the bed, her head lowered.

But inside…

she felt victorious.

Mrs. Ainsworth gave a satisfied nod.

“Rest, Chelsea. I’ll be going back home now but will be back from time to time to check in on you”

She walked out and the door closed softly behind her.

For several long seconds, neither Dominic nor Chelsea spoke.

Finally, Chelsea stepped closer.

“I know you don’t love me.”

Dominic remained silent.

“I never wanted things to happen this way.”

She lowered her gaze.

“I never meant to destroy your marriage and I wish things had been different.”

Instead of replying, he turned and walked out of the room.

Chelsea stood there alone.

For several seconds, her sad expression remained.

Then slowly….her lips curled into a smirk.

She grabbed her phone and quickly typed a message to her friend Alina.

“I finally got her to leave.”

Another message followed.

“Say hello to the new Mrs. Dominic”

Chelsea tossed the phone onto the bed and laughed quietly.

“I can’t believe it worked.”

Her eyes moved around the bedroom again.

Everything screamed wealth.

Chelsea slowly walked around the room, running her fingers along the polished dresser.

She stopped in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection.

“This life…”

Her voice was soft.

“I worked for this.”

She smiled proudly.

“Money is powerful.”

Her hand rested on her stomach again.

“And I deserve it.”

A while later she decided to take a shower.

The bathroom was even more luxurious than the bedroom.

Marble walls. Glass shower panels. Golden fixtures.

Chelsea enjoyed every moment.

When she finished and stepped back into the bedroom wrapped in a robe, she heard a notification sound.

Thinking it was her phone, she looked at the bed.

But her phone was silent.

Her eyes moved to the bedside table.

Dominic’s phone was lying there.

She tapped the screen twice and it lit up revealing a message notification.

Chelsea stepped closer and read the contact name.

“Wife.”

Her stomach twisted.

Sephora.

Chelsea scoffed.

“She’s still texting him? Doesn’t that bitch understand that it’s over?”

She picked up the phone.

It was locked but she smiled

Months ago, she had noticed Dominic’s password while sitting beside him several times as he unlocked his phone. Dominic had never been too careful around her, never imagining she was paying attention. But Chelsea noticed everything.

She slowly typed the numbers and the phone unlocked.

Her heart began beating faster as she opened the message.

“Maybe you deserve to know or maybe you don’t. I’m pregnant. But we are divorced now so you can face your new family. My baby and I will be fine.”

Chelsea froze.

Her body went completely still.

Pregnant?

“No…”

That couldn’t be possible.

Chelsea began pacing around the room.

“This can’t be happening.”

For months she had tried to get pregnant and nothing worked.

She had even begun to suspect Dominic might be impotent.

That was why she created the lie.

The fake pregnancy.

But now.

Sephora was actually pregnant.

Chelsea’s hands trembled.

“If Dominic finds out…”

Everything would collapse.

The life she had fought for.

“No.”

Chelsea grabbed the phone quickly and deleted the message.

Then she blocked Sephora’s number and cleared the notifications.

Her breathing slowly steadied.

“There.”

She placed the phone back on the table.

“Problem solved.”

But at that exact moment the bedroom door opened.

Chelsea jumped noticing Dominic by the doorway.

His eyes immediately moved to the phone then to her and his expression darkened.

“What the hell are you doing with my phone?”

Chelsea panicked.

“Oh—I heard a notification and thought maybe—”

Dominic walked over and snatched the phone from her hand.

“Don’t touch my things.”

Chelsea forced a nervous laugh.

“I was just trying to help.”

Dominic stared at her coldly.

“Let me make something clear.”

His voice was like ice.

“You are not part of my life.”

Chelsea’s smile slowly faded.

“You are here only because of that baby. To me, you are nothing more than a side piece.”

Chelsea’s eyes filled with tears.

Dominic pointed toward the door.

“You will move to the guest room.”

“But—”

“And stay out of my personal space.”

Her lips trembled.

“And don’t get any stupid ideas.”

His gaze was merciless.

“I will never marry you.”

Dominic turned and walked out.

Chelsea stood there crying, her shoulders shaking.

For several seconds, the tears flowed freely.

Then slowly…

the crying stopped.

Her hands dropped.

Her eyes turned cold.

“I refuse to lose.”

She looked around the luxurious room again.

“This life will be mine.”

Her lips curled into a dangerous smile.

“No matter the cost.”

Chelsea picked up her phone and stared at her reflection on the dark screen.

“Soon,” she whispered.

“I will be Mrs. Dominic Ainsworth.”