Chapter 5

Jenny noticed I never made eye contact with her. She pressed her fingers together and replied evenly, "No."

Her answer made Ronald perk up. He looked at me like he'd already won. "Take off the watch and get out!"

I looked at him with open amusement and said with a sneer, "Are you sure you want me gone?"

Humiliation flashed across Ronald's face. His expression sharpened as he snapped, "Drop the act and take off the watch!"

He reached for my wrist as soon as the words left his mouth.

I knocked his hand aside and stepped away. The next instant, someone tripped me. I fell without warning, and the impact left me dazed.

Ronald stepped on my hand and tore the watch off my wrist. "You treat a piece of trash like it's something precious."

My arm throbbed under his foot, and my wrist was left raw and bloody. I could only stare at the watch that had shattered across the floor.

Ronald lifted his chin and looked down at me. "Carry him and throw him out!"

People gathered around at once. As hands reached for my limbs, I struggled and blurted, "Stop! I'm Ellie's—"

The sentence was cut short when Ronald struck my face. "Are you going to claim again that you are Ms. Olsen's lover again? You aren't even qualified!"

Ronald still wasn't appeased. He backhanded me across the cheek.

I hadn't come back this time intending to settle anything with him. It was unnecessary. But I knew I must make him pay for it now.

Jenny leaned down, reaching toward the injury on my wrist, and I pulled away without thinking. She studied me, her expression distant and unfeeling.

"Peter, are you done making a scene? You came after me today, wearing that watch and dressed like this, because you saw I was successful and couldn't stand the thought of letting me go.

"You were trying to make me jealous. Beg me, and I'll come back to you."

I scoffed, looking straight at her. "Jenny, you're done!"

Jenny frowned, about to say something, when she noticed the sudden hush.

Around us, guests straightened their clothes and drifted toward the entrance.

Jenny pulled me to my feet and spoke under her breath. "Ms. Olsen is here, so behave! Don't worry. Ronald and I are already divorced."

She was completely absurd.

I rubbed my hand, still throbbing where it had been stepped on.

I found Jenny impossible to stomach. Whether she and Ronald were divorced or not had absolutely nothing to do with me.

Just then, Ellie came in carrying our daughter, Maisie Grant, and all eyes followed. Once they reached the hall, Maisie insisted on getting down from Ellie's arms.

Maisie looked like a doll. The moment she was on her feet, every gaze swung her way. The nanny stayed right on her heels, ready to catch her if she stumbled.

Jenny turned to me without warning and said, "Peter, if you stop being jealous and stop provoking Ronald, I can forgive your three-year disappearance. I'm willing to give you another chance.

"I want to have a child that belongs to us."

I said nothing, trying to catch Ellie's and Maisie's attention through the crowd.

In the end, Ellie came after Maisie, moving right toward me.