Chapter 2

Ten seconds later, Edward's voice finally broke through, sounding worried. "Evelyn, where are you?"

"I'm downstairs," I replied.

"Don't move. I'm coming down right now. And don't listen to whatever anyone else says," he said.

The security guard's lips trembled, but he still wouldn't let it go. "Nice act. For all we know, you got someone to fake his voice on the phone."

The girl at the front desk whispered, "But that really sounded like Mr. Stone."

The security guard shot her a glare. "Shut up."

I hung up and set the cake down on the front desk. "Keep an eye on this for me."

The girl at the front desk was too scared to touch it.

The security guard stepped forward. "Who told you you could leave that here? Take it away."

I looked at him. "You said Mrs. Stone was here last week?"

"Yeah," he said, as if he finally had proof. "She was wearing a beige coat, and Mr. Stone personally opened the car door for her, helped her inside, holding her by the waist. He handed out wedding favors to us."

"Wedding favors?" I repeated.

"What, struck a nerve?" He pulled a candy from his pocket and tossed it onto the front desk. "Go on, and take a look."

The wrapper had two names printed on it: Edward Stone and Julia West.

I stared at those names, feeling the cake box's string bite into my hand, leaving a red mark.

Julia was the first curator to work with Edward after he rose to fame, and the one he always claimed understood art better than anyone else.

Hurried footsteps echoed from the stairwell.

Edward appeared at the top of the stairs.

He was dressed in a black suit, with a silver brooch pinned to his chest, the one I'd given him for our anniversary.

When he saw me, the first thing out of his mouth wasn't an explanation. "Evelyn, why didn't you let me know you were coming?"

I fired back, "So you could stash Julia before I walked in?"

Edward's face changed.

The security guard immediately stepped back, sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Mr. Stone, she really is—"

Edward didn't glance at him. He reached out to take my hand. "Let's go upstairs and talk."

I avoided his hand. "We're talking right here."

More and more people started gathering around.

Edward lowered his voice. "Evelyn, today's a big deal. Don't make a scene."

"I'm making a scene?" I picked up the candy and held it up for him to see. "You and Julia's wedding favors ended up in the hands of your security guards. And you're telling me I'm the one making a scene?"

Edward glanced at the candy wrapper and immediately said, "This is all a misunderstanding."

I shot back, "So the names are some mix-up? The pregnancy is some mistake? And Mrs. Stone is a misunderstanding, too?"

The elevator doors slid open. A woman stepped out, one hand resting gently on her lower back. She wore a beige coat, pearl earrings glinting, her makeup flawless.

Julia stood in the glow of the stairs, her voice soft as she called out, "Edward."

Everyone's expression changed as they stared at her.

Edward turned around, and I could see him forcing himself to keep it together.

Julia walked over to his side, one hand resting on her belly, and locked eyes with me. "Ms. Lane, what brings you here?"

"Ms. Lane?" I said it again.

Julia kept smiling, acting like she didn't notice the jab. "Today's Edward's big exhibition. I know you two used to be close, but honestly, this isn't the place for your drama."

The security guard quickly regained his nerve. "See? Mrs. Stone said so."

The girl at the front desk went paler, head down, silent.

Edward frowned. "Julia, that's enough."

Julia gently tugged at his sleeve. "Edward, I'm not blaming her. After all, you used to help her out. It's only natural she'd feel a little out of place."

I stared at her hand.

Edward didn't pull away.

After seven years of marriage, it hit me that betrayal didn't need to shout. All it took was silence.

He kept silent when Julia called me Ms. Lane and when others called her Mrs. Stone.

He kept silent when I stood here, in front of everyone, and they all saw me as the one who was making a scene.