Chapter 4

The "Adele" necklace was incredibly valuable, and the only way to sell it was through an auction house.

So, Elias had seen it listed at the auction?

She didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, she countered, "You went to the auction house?"

Elias hesitated, his expression briefly faltering.

After a few seconds, he replied, "I wanted to buy you some jewelry."

“Was it really for me? Or was it for Evelyn…” she thought.

Evelyn had gone out of her way to prepare such a grand surprise for him; naturally, he’d feel obligated to return the gesture.

Adele had already steadied her emotions. Her voice was calm as she said, "I didn’t sell it. I donated it."

Hearing this, Elias let out a frustrated sigh and took her hand. "Addie, I know you’re kind, but if you want to donate something, use anything else. This necklace, of all things, can’t be given away."

With that, he pulled out a small box and set it in front of her.

The black velvet box opened to reveal the "Adele" necklace, its brilliance as striking as ever.

"I bought it back," Elias said, his tone gentle but firm. "This necklace is a symbol of my love for you. It should never be removed, no matter what."

He leaned forward and once again clasped the necklace around her neck.

Adele stared at the familiar piece of jewelry, now returned to its original place, and let out a bitter laugh.

“Elias, your acting is flawless,” she thought. “You just came rushing back after being with another woman, and yet here you are, speaking sweet words of love to me as if nothing happened.”

Later that night, as she was about to fall asleep, Elias’s phone suddenly rang.

He quickly silenced it and patted her back soothingly, as if to reassure her.

But only a few seconds later, the phone rang again.

After several rings, Elias frowned, not wanting to disturb Adele, and reluctantly answered the call.

The voice on the other end was particularly clear in the quiet room.

"Hey, Elias! Come out and join us. Everyone’s here, we’re just waiting for you!"

Without hesitation, Elias declined. "I’m putting Addie to bed. I can’t. Bye."

"Hey, hey, don’t hang up! Don’t be such a wife’s slave! It’s been forever since you’ve joined us for a night out!"

"Yeah, man. Most guys forget their friends when they get married, but you? You’ve completely erased us. That’s taking it too far!"

The noise on the other end was chaotic, and Elias pressed his hand over the receiver. "Enough. Quiet down. I’ve told you before, no one in the world is more important to me than my wife. I’m staying with her."

Despite his firm stance, the voices didn’t relent. They passed the phone around, each one taking a turn to try and convince him to come out, determined to wear him down.

As the back-and-forth dragged on, Adele, who had been woken by the noise, finally spoke.

"Go out with them. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen your friends."

Elias’s face showed reluctance, but Adele repeated herself.

In the end, he gave in slightly. "Fine. But I’m bringing you with me. If you don’t come, I’m not going."

The voices on the phone immediately jumped in, pleading with Adele.

"Come on, Adele, join us! It’ll be fun, and Elias will finally get out of the house!"

"Yeah, Adele, please come! He won’t budge unless you’re with him!"

Eventually, Adele agreed, and only then did Elias agree to head out.

When they arrived at the private lounge and opened the door, they were greeted by the sight of Elias’s friends surrounded by women, all draped over their shoulders and laughing loudly.

Elias’s expression darkened, and without a second thought, he turned to leave.

The group immediately realized their mistake and hurriedly pushed the women away.

"Okay, okay, leave! Go, now!"

Once the lounge was cleared of all the women, the friends let out a collective sigh and slung their arms around Elias’s shoulder.

"Elias, you’re still the same after all these years. No other woman can even get close to you except for Adele," one of his friends teased.

Elias brushed him off with a look of disdain, even going so far as to pat imaginary dust from his shoulder. "I’m a married man. I have to make sure Addie feels secure. Not that a single guy like you would understand."

The room erupted into laughter, with everyone throwing playful glances at Adele.

Although this was supposed to be a night out with his friends, Elias’s attention never wavered from Adele.

When someone lit a cigarette, his sharp glare immediately shut them down. "Put it out. Addie doesn’t like the smell of smoke."

When another tried to offer him a drink, Elias shook his head firmly, unapologetic. "Addie doesn’t like it when I smell like alcohol."

Even when the karaoke machine started, Elias frowned. "Turn it off. Addie prefers it quiet."

Ignoring the playful protests of his friends, Elias remained focused on Adele, carefully peeling and slicing fruit with a level of skill that could only come from practice. The pieces were perfectly cut, arranged in a neat bowl, and handed to her with a look of pride.

"Here, Addie. Have some fruit."

Noticing her thin dress and the cool air in the room, Elias immediately shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"Is that better? Are you still cold?" he asked with concern.

His friends couldn’t hold back their laughter, teasing him relentlessly. "Elias, you truly earned your place as a married man!"