Chapter 3
Now, he was telling me to move out of this home and go stay at a hotel.
I slowly peeled his fingers off my wrist, one at a time.
"Okay," I replied.
I picked up my suitcase and walked toward the elevator.
Arthur paused, caught off guard by how easily I agreed.
He followed me quickly, taking a couple of hurried steps.
"I'll have my assistant book you a suite at your usual hotel and send up some hot soup. You know your stomach acts up," Arthur said.
"Don't bother," I said and hit the elevator button.
"Stella," Arthur called after me, his tone suddenly sharp. "The Pendelton Group's charity gala is in three days. Be ready, you're coming with me."
I turned to look at him.
"And what exactly am I to you now?" I asked.
Arthur frowned, as if he couldn't believe I'd even ask.
He said, "Of course, as Mrs. Pendelton.
"Everyone in the city knows I'm married to you. If you don't show up, the media will have a field day gossiping about Chloe."
Three days later, it was the Pendelton Group's charity gala.
I never intended to go.
But Arthur's assistant was already waiting for me at the hotel entrance four hours ahead of time.
He brought along a stylist, and that couture dress.
"Ms. Kensington, Mr. Pendelton said tonight's event is really important. He wants you there. Please, don't make things difficult," the assistant said.
The assistant kept his tone polite, but he was firm.
I looked at the dress, feeling a mix of emotions.
Before our wedding, Arthur had taken me to try on the dress.
He'd told me, "Stella, this dress is made for you. You don't need to envy anyone."
I changed into the dress and got into the car that would take me to the banquet hall.
When we arrived at the hotel, the media had already set up their cameras on both sides of the entrance.
Arthur was waiting for me at the end of the red carpet.
He was dressed in a black suit, looking sharp and commanding.
As soon as I stepped out of the car, he strode over and slipped his arm around my waist.
"You look amazing tonight," Arthur whispered in my ear, his voice soft and close.
"Stella, just hang in there tonight. With you by my side, you're Mrs. Pendelton," he said.
I stayed silent and let him lead me in.
The crowd stirred as soon as we walked into the banquet hall.
I followed the crowd's gaze.
Chloe was standing by the champagne tower, a glass of juice in her hand.
She had on the exact same dress I was wearing.
Only hers was altered at the waist, making her look even more fragile and innocent.
She reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
Her wedding ring on her finger was almost blinding under the crystal lights.
The guests started whispering.
"What's going on? Are they really wearing the same dress?"
"Isn't that Chloe? That ring on her finger, doesn't it look like a wedding ring?"
"So who did Mr. Pendelton really marry?"
A few reporters swarmed around her.
"Ms. Bennett, was it just a coincidence you ended up in the same dress?"
"That ring on your finger, does it mean you're about to tie the knot?"
Chloe flinched and took a step back.
She shot a nervous look toward Arthur.
Then, she turned to the microphone, her voice barely above a whisper, trembling with nerves.
Chloe said, "Please, everyone, it's not what you think.
"Arthur and I are already legally married. Stella is really into the whole ceremony and tradition, so Arthur gave her that grand wedding just to make her happy."
The whole room broke out in an uproar.
All the cameras instantly turned, focusing on Arthur and me.
The flashbulbs were blinding. I could barely keep my eyes open.
Reporters demanded, "Mr. Pendelton, is what Ms. Bennett said true?"
"The system shows your legal spouse is Chloe Bennett. So what does that make Stella?"
"Ms. Kensington, did you know you were the other woman, or were you deceived into this marriage?"
The microphones were almost jammed into my face.
The crowd was getting rowdy, and someone shoved me from behind.
Arthur pulled me into his arms, his hand protectively covering my stomach by instinct.
His expression turned icy as he glared at the reporters.
"Back off," he ordered.
The reporters, cowed by his presence, stepped back a little, but their cameras kept flashing.
"Mr. Pendelton, can you give us a straight answer?" one of the reporters pressed.
I turned to look at Arthur.
His jaw was tight, his eyes unreadable.
I waited for him to explain that it was all a misunderstanding, and that I was not the other woman.
But all he did was tighten his grip on my stomach, his hand pressing protectively.
Arthur said, his voice calm and steady as he faced the cameras, "Everyone here knows exactly who my wife is.
"Tonight is about those in need, not my private affairs."
The reporters clearly weren't satisfied with that answer, and their questions just got sharper and more aggressive.
Chloe walked over, her eyes red and teary, and stood on the other side of Arthur.
"Please, don't pressure Arthur. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have brought it up," Chloe said.
Arthur reached out and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, pulling her partly behind him to shield her.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here," he said softly.