Two

Ella placed a trembling hand over her belly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Did I… do something wrong?”

Richard sighed, his expression impassive.

“You did nothing, Ella. I just don’t want to continue this marriage.”

He turned to leave, but after a moment, he stopped.

“You said you had something to tell me. What was it?”

Ella’s throat tightened. How could she tell him about the baby now? How could she announce that she was carrying his child when he had just made it clear that he no longer wanted her?

She forced a weak smile.

“It’s nothing important anymore.”

Richard barely reacted.

“If you say so.”

Then he walked away.

Ella watched his figure disappear down the hallway. She tried to hold back her tears, but they slipped down her cheeks anyway.

Her gaze drifted toward the dining table.

The meal she had prepared for him was still there. His favorite dishes, carefully arranged. She had spent hours making everything perfect, hoping their wedding anniversary would remind him of the love they once shared.

Now, the food sat untouched.

Ella walked over and began clearing the plates. One by one, she dumped the dishes into the trash. The rich aroma that had once filled her heart with anticipation now made her stomach churn.

She pressed a protective hand over her belly.

“Your daddy doesn’t want us anymore,” she whispered. “But I’ll protect you. I promise.”

Her knees weakened, and she sat down, her mind drifting back to the day she first met Richard at the orphanage.

She had grown up there under her mother’s care. Her mother had devoted her life to looking after abandoned children, and Richard had been one of the orphanage’s most generous donors.

He had been young, wealthy, and kind—or at least, that was what Ella had believed.

He was also her first love.

The man she had dreamed of spending the rest of her life with.

She had thought he loved her, too.

But perhaps love had never been enough for Richard.

With a heavy heart, Ella picked up the divorce papers. She didn’t bother reading through the agreement again. She simply turned to the final page, gripped the pen with trembling fingers, and signed her name.

That night, she cried herself to sleep on the couch.

The Next Morning

The sound of hurried footsteps stirred Ella awake.

She blinked groggily and sat up, realizing she had spent the entire night curled up on the couch. Her body ached, and her eyes felt swollen from crying.

As she looked around, she noticed that the mansion was unusually busy. Maids were arranging extravagant flowers, preparing dishes, and straightening the living room.

Confused, Ella stopped one of them.

“What’s going on?”

The young maid hesitated.

“Young Master asked us to prepare for a guest.”

“A guest?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ella frowned.

“Okay. You can go.”

The maid nodded and hurried away.

Ella glanced around the room, but Richard was nowhere to be seen. Who was important enough to have the entire mansion prepared for them?

She sighed.

None of this concerns me anymore.

She dragged herself upstairs and entered the master bedroom. After washing her face, she stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror.

Last night’s events replayed in her mind.

Richard’s cold expression. His words. The divorce papers.

Her eyes filled with tears again, but she quickly wiped them away.

I need to stop crying. I need to be strong for my baby.

After taking a bath, Ella changed into a simple dress. She was about to leave the room when the distant sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught her attention.

She walked toward the window.

Her expression softened when she saw Julianna Brown, Richard’s mother, stepping out of a sleek black car.

“Mom…”

Ella had always admired her mother-in-law. Julianna had treated her warmly despite the difference in their social backgrounds. Perhaps, if she told her about the divorce, Julianna would speak to Richard.

Perhaps she would help her understand what had gone wrong.

But before Ella could move away from the window, another figure stepped out of the car.

A young woman dressed in designer clothing followed Julianna. Her flawless features, elegant posture, and confident expression made it clear that she was accustomed to attention.

Ella’s smile slowly faded.

Who is she?

Downstairs

By the time Ella descended the stairs, Richard was already standing in the living room. His hands were tucked into his pockets, and his expression was unreadable.

A moment later, the doors opened.

Julianna walked in, followed by the young woman.

Ella’s face lit up, and she hurried toward her.

“Mom! It’s been so long. I’ve missed you.”

Julianna barely reacted. She glanced around the room before looking at Ella.

“Can I at least sit down before you start bombarding me?”

Her curt tone caught Ella off guard.

“Oh… of course, Mom. Please, sit.”

Julianna took a seat on the couch, and the young woman sat beside her.

Ella offered them a tentative smile.

“I didn’t realize you were the guest we were preparing for. If I had known, I would have made special arrangements.”

Julianna scoffed.

“Is that why you didn’t even offer me a drink? Not even water? How disappointing.”

Ella’s smile faltered.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I was just so happy to see you.”

She quickly turned toward a maid.

“Please bring some refreshments for Mom and our guest.”

Julianna gave a dismissive hum.

Ella swallowed and tried to maintain her composure.

“You really are the best, Mom.”

Then she turned toward the young woman, whose cold gaze had remained fixed on her.

“And you must be… Mom’s new secretary?”

Julianna’s lips curled into a faint smirk.

“No. She’s not my secretary.”

Ella’s heart skipped.

If she wasn’t a secretary, then who was she?

And why did Julianna seem to be looking at her as though she already knew something Ella didn’t?

Ella glanced at Richard.

He stood silently, his expression giving nothing away.

A strange uneasiness settled in her chest.

Something was wrong.

And she had a feeling she was about to find out exactly what it was.