Chapter 3

"What do I want?" I looked at him, quietly repeating his words.

I wanted to laugh, but I couldn't force a smile.

I looked past him, fixing my eyes on Lydia, the woman behind him.

She was young, probably a few years younger than me.

She had that innocent look, the kind that made people want to protect her.

Right now, she was staring at me with her glistening eyes, tears brimming, like I was the mistress here.

She put on quite a convincing performance.

I looked Ryan straight in the eye. "Ryan, that's a question I should be asking you. What do you want?"

I kept my voice steady.

The calmer I was, the darker Ryan's expression became.

His brows furrowed as he lowered his voice, warning me. "This is the office, not the place for your drama. If you want to talk, we'll do it at home."

Home? Did we have a home anymore?

I looked at Lydia, whom he was holding, and suddenly his words felt like a sick joke.

"I don't want to go home," I said. "I want to talk right here."

Ryan looked like he was about to explode, his eyes practically shooting daggers at me.

Just then, Lydia, clinging to his arm, tugged softly at his sleeve.

"Ryan," she called out, her voice barely above a whisper. "M-My stomach hurts a little.

"Miss, I don't know who you are or how Ryan and I offended you. But the baby is innocent. If you have an issue, come at me. Please don't frighten our baby."

As she spoke, her tears spilled down her cheeks.

She really knew how to play the victim, pretending to back down while taking the initiative and flipping the script on me.

With a few words, she painted me as some unreasonable, malicious woman who'd stoop so low as to threaten a pregnant lady.

Sure enough, as soon as she finished, the whispers started up again.

"Oh my god, that's way out of line. She's pregnant."

"Seriously, what terrible grudge could she hold that she would push a pregnant woman so hard?"

"Look at Mrs. Goodman. She's so pale. What if she stresses her out and something happens to the baby?"

"That woman is heartless."

Ryan's face changed in a heartbeat when he heard her words.

He immediately looked down at her, his voice turning softer than I'd ever heard, full of worry. "What's wrong? Are you feeling sick? Do you need me to call an ambulance?"

"I'm fine," she whispered weakly, shaking her head, but her body swayed as if she could collapse at any second.

Ryan instantly pulled her closer.

Then he looked up at me, his eyes now cold, filled with nothing but pure contempt. "Evelyn, I'm telling you for the last time. Go home now.

"If anything happens to her or the baby because of you, I swear, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

That line hit me right where it hurt most.

He was threatening me over Lydia and her baby.

Our eight‑year marriage had turned into nothing but a joke.

My heart hurt so much that it went numb, and suddenly I felt calm.

I looked at them. Lydia acted all innocent, while Ryan played the hero. They really were perfect for each other.

Suddenly, I didn't want to waste another word on them.

I took a step forward, holding the cake.

Ryan immediately tensed up, pulling Lydia closer to him. "What are you trying to do?"

I didn't look at him; instead, I stared at Lydia.

I held out the cake box to her. "This is for you."

Everyone froze at my move, even Ryan and Lydia.

Lydia looked at me, timid, not daring to take it.

I shoved the box into her arms. "Take it. Today is my wedding anniversary with Ryan."

I locked eyes with her, making sure she heard every word. "I made this cake myself. It's his favorite.

"Since you're the one standing by his side now, enjoying the title of Mrs. Goodman, this cake should be yours. Consider it a wedding gift from me."

With that, I turned away, not sparing them another glance.

I straightened my back and walked out the front doors.

Every step felt like I was walking on razor blades. But I couldn't look back.

I couldn't let them see me break.

As I reached the door, I heard Ryan's voice behind me, a mix of shock and fury. "Evelyn, stop right there."

I didn't stop.

I pushed open the glass door, and the dazzling sunlight hit me.

I tilted my head back, blinking back the sting in my eyes.

The show for Ryan and his mistress was only getting started.