Chapter 4: The Ashfords Finally Found Out

LONORA

I stared at the people I saw in Julian’s living room.

It had been four days since I moved in, and this was the only time I had seen this many people in his penthouse.

Usually, it would only be me, him, and a specific staff member he assigned each day who would fill his penthouse.

So that would only be three people, the maximum I assumed he allowed around him.

But now, there were lots of... I assumed stylists.

Because there were different dresses in front of them.

Julian was sitting on the sofa, sipping his coffee while looking at an iPad.

He felt my presence and looked at me. The others followed his gaze.

I saw the lips of those people turn into smiles.

“She’s prettier than the picture,” one woman said with a wide smile on her face.

It made my face burn a little with shyness.

They looked at Julian.

He nodded, and after that, they slowly approached me with smiles.

I blinked three times as I started to feel self-conscious.

I had just woken up. I had already brushed my teeth and washed my face, but I didn’t feel pretty enough to be surrounded by these people who actually looked pretty themselves.

And their outfits, I knew they were branded.

Probably more expensive than what I earned monthly.

The difference in our status was enough to make me feel intimidated, and I unconsciously lowered my head and shoulders.

“Stop,” Julian’s cold voice echoed.

Everyone looked at him.

His eyes were on me.

He put the iPad on the side table.

“Leave us for a while,” he said while looking into my eyes.

I was processing whether he wanted me to leave or them.

My question was answered when his guests started to nod and leave the room.

Julian walked toward me. His eyes never left mine.

“What’s the matter?” he asked as he walked in front of me.

My forehead creased.

What did he mean?

His hands touched both of my shoulders. My gaze followed.

“Fix your posture,” he said and guided my body to straighten. “You are Mrs. Ashford.”

His words made me look at him.

“Do not let anyone intimidate you.”

He was right. I was Mrs. Ashford.

For three years, I thought Nathan would be the reason why I would have that name.

But I was wrong.

“Didn’t we agree that we would keep it a secret for now?” I asked.

He looked at me.

His gaze switched between my eyes before he turned around and walked back to the sofa.

“I didn’t tell them,” he simply said, with no emotion in his eyes. “Still, whether they know or not, you need to carry the confidence I have.”

I looked at him.

I didn’t think I could do that.

I had confidence whenever I was at the club. I had no choice.

But here, in the outside world, I always felt so small.

“The Ashford Foundation Gala will be in three days. You will attend it with me.”

I looked at him, about to protest, but he gave me a look and spoke again.

“I told them to ban the reporters inside.”

I didn’t know if I should be happy about that.

“I could agree to not let the world know about our marriage for now. But the whole Ashford clan needs to know.”

I looked at him, protesting with my eyes, but I knew I didn’t have the right.

“That’s how far I could grant your request. Especially my nephew needs to know you married me too. That would be the start of your revenge.”

I swallowed.

At least he listened to my request. That was still better than nothing.

I was just a nobody, after all.

After that, the stylists entered again.

They promised to help me become the most beautiful woman at that event.

***

The Ashford Foundation Gala would be our first public appearance as husband and wife in front of the whole Ashford clan.

One week after the courthouse.

One week after Nathan and Ivy’s betrayal.

I couldn’t imagine how the Ashford clan would react.

Last time they knew, Nathan and I were getting married, and they hated me so much for that.

I was pretty sure they would curse me to death after they found out I was already married to Julian.

“They’ll be there,” Julian said, adjusting his cufflink in the elevator mirror without looking at me. “My brother never misses it. Which means your former fiancé won’t either.”

Of course he would be there.

Last month, I made a promise to him that we would attend this event together.

“I’m aware.”

“Are you ready?” He asked.

I looked at myself in the mirror beside him, at the dress his stylist had sent over.

It was deep emerald, nothing like anything I would have chosen for myself a week ago, back when I still dressed like a woman trying not to be noticed.

I didn’t recognize the person looking back at me.

I wasn’t sure yet if that frightened me or not.

“Let’s find out,” I said.

We reached the venue.

My hands felt cold.

I paused.

Julian noticed and looked back.

“I... I need to pee.”

Julian studied my face.

“Okay. I’ll meet you inside.”

He motioned for one of his assistants to accompany me.

“It’s okay,” I protested right away.

Julian calmly nodded.

“Okay.”

I breathed.

I stared at my reflection for three minutes. I mentally prepared myself for all the harsh words I would hear later.

I didn’t expect Julian to protect me. I was used to it.

Even Nathan didn’t do anything about his family’s harsh words toward me.

He would just say sorry after we went home.

I didn’t expect Julian to say sorry to me later either.

I might even be the one who would say sorry.

The moment I entered the room, everyone went quiet.

But that didn’t last long.

They started whispering while looking at me.

“Lonora.”

I paused when I heard that familiar voice.

It used to be my favorite voice.

My comfort.

Now, it hurt to hear it.

I slowly turned around.

There he was, smiling like he used to, as if I had never caught him last week.

Somehow, that made me feel sick.

He didn’t look guilty or affected.

Am I really that irreplaceable?

If it weren’t for Julian, I might look terrible now.

“Get up. Fix your life. Don’t let that betrayal ruin your bright future.”

Those were Julian’s exact words to me.

If it weren’t for him, I would probably still be in my bed, secretly crying all day and night, secretly sabotaging my own life.

Nathan walked closer to me, still wearing that wide smile.

“I knew you would come for me,” he said confidently.

He held my shoulders.

I flinched a little and immediately felt disgusted as I remembered him and Ivy in our bed.

I moved back.

He looked at me, confused, as if he were really clueless about why I reacted that way.

He was acting so innocent.

If he told someone he had amnesia, they would surely believe him.

“Lonora?” His eyebrow furrowed.

He took a step closer, and I moved back again.

Julian’s hand found the small of my back.

I looked at him.

“Here you are...” Julian said.

I felt Nathan move backward.

I looked at Julian again.

He was smiling.

That smile was enough to make the people near us glance in our direction.

This was the first time we all saw Julian smile like this, even if it was just a small smile.

But his next words were enough to make everyone quietly gasp and frown.

“...my wife.”