Chapter 2

Giselle had always believed the inheritance was hers for the taking, but she was wrong.

Just three days ago, my grandmother, who lives overseas, contacted me. The real will was in her hands. I had thought it would serve as my security after marriage, but now it had become my means of protecting myself.

After contacting my grandmother's assistant, I leaned wearily against the headboard.

Suddenly, the door opened, and the doctor stepped in.

"Miss, you're pregnant," he announced.

"I know," I replied, lowering my head as I gently touched my slightly rounded belly. I looked up at him and added, "Could you please keep this a secret?"

"Why?"

The doctor paused, slightly surprised. "Mr. Miller would be thrilled to know!"

I gave a bitter smile, remembering what Chester had said earlier. "I know. That's why I want to tell him myself," I said.

The doctor agreed to keep my secret, prescribed some medication to protect the pregnancy, and warned me not to let myself get upset or stressed, or the baby could be at risk.

Nothing could shock me more than today's news.

I was still lost in thought when the door swung open and Chester appeared. His sharp, arrogant presence was unmistakable, and it struck me as absurd that I had never paid attention to it before.

"Why did you pass out again? Don't you realize how busy I am?" he scolded.

I avoided his gaze and murmured, "Sorry, but you didn't really need to come."

Chester snorted and stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Are you sulking with me, Miranda?"

I pushed his hand away and replied, "No, who in the world dares to get mad at you, Mr. Miller?"

Chester seemed to notice the tension in my voice and frowned. At that moment, his phone rang. After glancing at the caller ID, he turned and walked out without a word. Before leaving, he instructed the doctor, "Get her back in top shape. If she can't make the wedding in three days, you're done for."

The doctors envied Chester's devotion, but only I knew the truth. He simply didn't want to miss seeing me embarrassed and humiliated in front of everyone. And yet, I found myself anticipating the wedding even more than they did.

I arranged for my discharge that very day. That evening, Felix was taken aback when he saw me.

He threw himself at me with his usual enthusiasm. "Darling, you're discharged? How come?"

I smiled and teased him, "Weren't you the one who told me to leave the hospital? Don't you remember?"

Felix's smile faltered for a brief moment, but it quickly relaxed back into its usual warmth. "I was just joking. A healthy body needs a happy mind, too. Look, I just bought this pearl necklace for you. You'll look stunning wearing it on our wedding day."

He held up an elegant pearl necklace and draped it around my neck from behind. The faint scent of tobacco lingered on him as he pressed close, biting gently at my ear.

"Darling, why don't you wear this tonight? You'll look beautiful…" he murmured.

His touch drifted across my body as his lips left a path of gentle kisses from my neck all the way to my chest.

His breath was hot against my skin, yet I felt nothing.

I broke free from his hold at my waist. Felix's expression flickered with surprise, though he calmly said, "Mira, are you alright?"

"I'm not feeling well," I whispered.

He immediately straightened and rubbed my head.

"Right, you just got out of the hospital," he said with a regretful sigh. "Get some rest tonight. I'll take care of things in the bathroom myself."

Before leaving, he pressed a kiss to my cheek. "Mira, get better soon. I don't want to wait too long."

Words that once would have made me blush now churned my stomach with unease.

The moment Felix stepped into the bathroom, I yanked the necklace off my neck and prepared to toss it in the trash. But my hand froze midair.

I couldn't let them know I had noticed.

With a resigned sigh, I put the necklace back on.

When Felix returned, I was staring blankly at the pearls around my neck.

"Do you really like it that much?" he teased, looping an arm around my neck.

I nodded without expression.

He chuckled softly. "Then, I'll get you plenty more. You'll never run out of ways to wear them."

I had to admit he was much better at pretending than Chester. Even knowing that in three days we would part ways, he held me close that night and slept peacefully, while I remained awake the entire time.

"Mira, you're so good…"

Felix's sleepy whisper brushed against my ear, and the sound of my name made my heart jolt. Do people lie in their dreams? If he wasn't lying, then why did he keep treating me like a plaything?

I glanced at Felix, the man who had shared endless nights with me, and my eyes filled with tears. I couldn't sleep that night, and that was when I witnessed Felix and Chester's "shift change".