Chapter 4

Harrison quickly explained, "Liz, Jackie is still young, and his dad isn't around often, so he mistakes me for his dad."

"Is that so?" Eliza's expression flickered with sadness. "I thought maybe it was because I can't have children and you want one so badly that you let someone else's child call you Daddy."

She was gentle and beautiful by nature, and under the lights, she looked even more radiant.

Harrison's heart stirred. His Adam's apple bobbed as he coaxed her softly. "How could that be? I only want our child. It's just that Jackie is still young. Once he grows up, he'll naturally be able to tell the difference."

His lies made Eliza sick, yet at the same time, she also felt strangely satisfied.

The cheating pair could be as lovey-dovey as they wanted in private, but when they were in front of her, they still had to put on this act.

As it so happened, Melanie was extremely displeased, especially after hearing Harrison's words. She had gone to all the trouble of bringing Jackson back to Grayport precisely to drive Eliza away.

She deliberately looked at Eliza with an awkward expression.

"I'm sorry, Eliza. Jackie is a very stubborn child. Without Harry to play with him, I'm afraid he'll only get more difficult. Do you think…"

Jackson clutched his toy car, his eyes red as he stared beseechingly at Harrison. "Daddy, ignore that evil woman! Come play with me, okay?"

Harrison gave Eliza a somewhat helpless look as well.

Seeing this, she slowly nodded. "Go ahead."

Harrison swiftly took Jackson's hand and left.

Eliza watched his retreating figure and abruptly smiled. Once upon a time, she had truly loved him. He had a good temper, a good nature, and a handsome face. He had also once been gentle, attentive, and endlessly accommodating toward her.

As if only realizing it belatedly, Harrison instinctively glanced back at Eliza as he led Jackson away.

He began to frown. She wasn't normally like this. She was a sharp, intelligent woman who was easily jealous. When it came to relationships, she was petty and didn't like it when he spent time with other women.

Yet she had let him leave without any protest. For some reason, a trace of unease suddenly crept into his heart.

However, Jackson's coquettish voice quickly sounded beside Harrison, snapping him out of his thoughts. He tightened his grip on Jackson's hand and led him toward the garden.

In the garden, while playing with Jackson, Harrison looked distracted. His mind seemed to be elsewhere.

Melanie studied his expression and felt a flicker of insecurity. She bit her lip.

"Harry, did I do something wrong? Jackie just missed you too much. I didn't know Eliza would be there."

Thinking of Eliza's expression, Harrison frowned. But when he saw Melanie's face, he still spoke gently.

"Our relationship hasn't been made public yet. To everyone else, Liz is still my wife. I'm just worried she'll misunderstand. If I had a choice, I wouldn't want to hurt her either. After all, she once saved my life, and she's been with me for so many years…"

Besides, he had grown attached to her, too.

"I understand." Melanie's expression dimmed. "Eliza has been by your side for so many years. Of course I can't compare. Jackie and I just want to be with you so badly. Even if you don't want to make it public, Harry, that's okay too…"

"Why would I want that?" Harrison's gaze darkened. He pulled her into his arms, his expression tender. "You're the real Mrs. Lange. I just want to give Eliza some compensation. You and Jackie are my real family."

Melanie's eyes flickered before she finally smiled and nestled into his arms. She tilted her head up and leaned in to kiss him.

Eliza watched the scene from a distance, and her lips curled into a mocking smile.

Just then, her phone chimed with a new WhatsApp notification. Julian had just sent her the invite for a game, which completely caught her off guard. By the time she realized what was happening, she'd already accepted it.

It was a co-op game that required two players to team up to clear each level. Julian had incredible reflexes. Before long, the two of them had already made it to the fifth level.

"I have to go now."

A moment later, those words appeared in the chat box.

Only then did Eliza realize she'd gotten so absorbed in the game that nearly half an hour had passed.

After the little character Julian had been controlling faded to gray, she switched back to WhatsApp. Julian's stark, black-and-white profile picture was particularly striking.

It was hard to imagine that someone with such an intimidating air had actually spent half an hour playing such a childish little game with her.

Eliza's mood had unexpectedly improved quite a bit. Then she thought about the investment matter and couldn't help sending Julian another message.

"Mr. Albright, would you consider investing in Lange Corporation?"

The reply came quickly. "No."

A few seconds later, another message popped up.

"Unless…"

Unless what?

A few more words appeared immediately afterward.

"Unless you're in charge of the negotiations."

She froze for a moment but didn't ask any further. She didn't even bring up when she would meet this fiance of hers.

This was enough for now.

She hadn't dealt with Harrison yet. As for everything else, she really didn't have the energy to think about it.

…

It was already past midnight when Harrison returned to the bedroom he shared with Eliza. By then, she'd already slept for a while. However, she'd deliberately set an alarm and pretended to have been waiting for him the whole time.

When he saw that Eliza was still awake, he felt even guiltier.

"Why are you still awake, sweetheart?"

Eliza lightly bit her lip, her expression sad. "I couldn't sleep. I was waiting for you."

Seeing her like this brought Harrison's guilt to its peak. He stroked her face, his heart aching for her.

"I'm sorry about today. If Melanie and Jackson's presence bothers you, why don't I pick out one of the houses under my name and let them stay there temporarily?"

"No need. Melanie is your sister, after all." Eliza paused before considerately shaking her head.

Why would she want that? How else was she going to have some fun with them if Melanie moved out? Besides, if they weren't living right under her nose, how would she get to disgust this shameless pair?

The more understanding she was, the guiltier and more uneasy Harrison became.

"It's all my fault, sweetheart. I made you suffer today. Is there anything you want? Let me make it up to you, okay?"

He looked so deeply affectionate that any ordinary person might have fallen for it.

Eliza only felt nauseated, but she didn't refuse. "Our wedding anniversary is only a month away. I've already booked a wedding-themed anniversary photoshoot for us.

"Harrison, will you propose to me again then? Your proposal last time was so rushed. There was no ceremony or sense of occasion at all."

A month from now would also be the day Harrison came clean to Eliza. Thinking that she would learn about the fake marriage by then, he didn't hesitate at all.

"Okay. Whatever you say. This time, I'll give you a proper proposal."

He would consider it compensation for her. After all, she had done so much for him all these years.

Eliza smiled, but she was silently counting down the days.

One month.

In one month, Grayport would witness its biggest scandal. And by then, she would return to Havensea and begin her new life.

When Eliza smiled, her eyes curved beautifully. Under the lights, her skin looked soft and luminous, making it impossible for Harrison to look away.

Gulping, he instinctively leaned in to kiss her.

"Sweetheart…"

Before his lips could descend, Eliza suddenly couldn't help gagging.

Harrison froze.