Chapter 2

At eight in the evening, the only light in the living room came from a single floor lamp. That forged marriage certificate lay open in the center of the black marble coffee table.

Grace, the housekeeper, walked over with a tray, the porcelain cups clinking softly.

I stayed silent, raising my right hand and holding it suspended in the air. My gaze never left the marriage certificate lying on the table.

Grace followed my gesture, glanced at the book, and quietly slipped back into the kitchen.

The electronic lock at the entrance chimed. The door swung open, and Edward walked in. He draped his dark gray suit jacket over the back of a dining chair and turned toward the living room.

He flicked the switch, and the dazzling crystal chandelier instantly flooded the room with light. His eyes swept over the coffee table, lingering for a moment on the marriage certificate.

He shifted his steps and settled into the armchair across from me. He hooked a finger around his tie and loosened it a little.

"This morning, when I went to apply for a visa, the officer couldn't find any record of my spouse." I watched his long fingers, my voice calm. "Their system says I'm single."

Edward's hand never faltered as he reached for his glass. He took a small sip, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. "The family trust is being restructured, and the paperwork is pretty complicated."

He set the glass down and leaned back into the sofa. "We don't need the real certificate right now. This is a temporary fix to play it safe. No need to make a fuss about it."

I looked him straight in the eye. "So, going with Vivian to try on wedding dresses this afternoon was just another way to 'play it safe' too?"

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Edward's eyes flickered, and he quickly looked away. He lifted his hand and pressed his thumb firmly to his brow. "My mom's really sick, and the elders are pressuring me hard. I had no choice but to go through the motions."

He let his hand fall, his brow tightly knit. "Charlotte, you've always been sensible. Please understand my situation and keep the bigger picture in mind."

Suddenly, the lock beeped again. Vivian walked in, tossing her handbag onto the cabinet by the door. She kicked off her high heels and, with a flick of her toe, slipped into my slippers.

I watched her, my stomach clenching with pain.

Edward had laid down an absolute rule for this villa. To make sure I could have some peace and quiet, not a single outsider was allowed in except for Grace.

Vivian walked over to the sofa, rubbing her ankle. "Edward, my feet are all swollen from standing."

She fixed her gaze on me, chin raised, as if daring me to say something. "Ms. Nash, mind scooting over? I need to rest for a bit."

Edward didn't even look at me. He got up and pulled out a spot on the sofa for Vivian. He poured a cup of water, then handed it to her. "Drink some water. Sit here and relax."

His voice was full of patience.

I leaned back against the sofa. I watched the easy familiarity between them, like this was all perfectly natural.

I didn't even have the strength to keep lying to myself anymore.

Edward's willingness to indulge Vivian had already gone way past any so-called "bigger picture."

Vivian took a sip of water, her lips curving in a hostess-like smile, as if she were the lady of the house. "Ms. Nash, don't just sit there daydreaming. Come over and chat."

I pressed my hands against my knees, my knuckles white with tension. Without bothering to respond, I got to my feet.

"Charlotte, sit down." Edward turned to me, his brow furrowed.

I didn't look back, forcing my stiff legs to carry me toward the stairs. My palm clenched tight.

"Don't get upset," Edward's voice came from behind me. "Vivian's only a guest."

I stopped at the foot of the stairs and slowly unclenched my fingers. My palm was streaked with several bloody marks.