Chapter 2

The atmosphere in the dining room was so heavy, it felt like I could barely breathe.

The long table was covered with gourmet dishes, but I didn't have the slightest appetite.

Adeline sat at the head of the table, with Chloe beside her. The two of them were chatting and laughing together.

I sat at the very end, quietly eating my plain bread, completely ignored.

"Chloe, have some more soup. It's good for your health," Adeline said and personally ladled a bowl for Chloe, beaming.

"Thank you, Adeline," Chloe replied sweetly, but she shot me a sly, challenging look from the corner of her eye.

"Julia, why are you only eating bread? Don't you like the food?" She purposely raised her voice, making everyone at the table turn their attention to me.

I set down my fork and managed a strained smile. "No. Everything tastes great. My stomach's been acting up lately."

I thought, 'Go ahead, stuff your face, you scheming bitch! That soup was made by me, and now the old hag is playing generous with it like it's her work.

'Who are you trying to fool, Chloe? Last night, you were with four gigolos at the club, and now you're playing the pure little angel?'

"Stomach problems? Please, it's your jealousy that's making you lose your appetite," Adeline mocked. "You're about to be thrown out on the street. Who could eat in a situation like yours?

"Honestly, it's only because the Lancaster family is so generous that we're letting you mooch off us for thirty days."

I kept my head down, not saying a word, letting her insult me as she pleased.

'Do you think I give a damn about your precious dinner, witch? If it weren't for those ten buildings, I'd have flipped this table ages ago. Your son is useless, you're messed up in the head, and your whole family's plain crazy,' I fumed inwardly.

Across from me, Edward's hand tightened around his wine glass, the red wine sloshing dangerously close to spilling over the edge.

He lifted his gaze, his eyes intense as they locked onto me.

Edward's stare made my skin crawl, so I quickly lowered my head, trying to play deaf.

Chloe's eyes darted, plotting something new. "Julia, I heard that when you were living out in the sticks, you used to hang around with all kinds of sketchy guys. Is that true?"

She covered her mouth, pretending to be shocked as she looked at me. The dining room instantly went silent, and everyone's stare felt like daggers stabbing into me.

Adeline's face instantly darkened. "Chloe, you shouldn't make accusations like that. We can't have the Lancaster family dragged through the mud."

Chloe bit her lip, putting on a pitiful face. "Adeline, that's what I heard from others. They said when Julia first returned to the Foster residence, she brought a strange man home with her."

I jerked my head up, staring at her in disbelief. "That's nonsense, Chloe. When did I bring a strange guy home?"

I thought, 'Damn, this two-faced bitch makes up any lie to smear me. I was feeding pigs and working the fields every day. Where would I find time to hook up with random guys? But Chloe, who's the father of that bastard in your belly?

'Don't tell me it's your driver, Wayne. That guy's a bald, greasy creep, and he's got syphilis. Your taste is seriously messed up.'

My whole body shook with rage, tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Please, Edward. You have to trust me. I swear I didn't do it." I turned to Edward, desperately seeking his protection.

Edward stayed silent, his gaze locked on Chloe's stomach with such piercing intensity it made the air feel heavy and cold.

Chloe squirmed under his stare, her hand drifting nervously to her flat belly. "Edward, don't let Julia fool you. She's a wild country girl. Who knows what she was doing behind people's backs?"

Adeline chimed in, "That's right, Edward. A loose woman like her doesn't belong in the Lancaster family. Kick her out soon."

I closed my eyes in utter despair, tears rolling down my cheeks.

I thought, 'Yeah. Kick me out already. Hand over the deeds to those ten buildings, and I'll walk out right away. Chloe, you two-faced bitch with that syphilitic bastard in your belly, I hope you and Wayne have a long life together.'

"Enough!" Edward suddenly slammed his hand down on the table, making the dishes clatter loudly.

He stood up, his eyes icy as he swept his gaze across the room. "For the next thirty days, she's still my wife, whether you like it or not. Anyone who says another word about it, you're out of the Lancaster family."

With that, he strode out of the dining room. Adeline and Chloe exchanged stunned glances, completely floored.

I stood there, totally stunned, my head full of question marks. I wondered, 'Did Mr. Ice-cold finally lose it? He actually spoke up for me? Has he finally grown a conscience or something?

'Whatever. As long as my ten buildings stay safe, he can do whatever the hell he wants.'

I wiped away my tears, pretending to be deeply touched. "Edward, I knew you still cared about me."