Chapter 2

She was dressed in a white gown, her face pale and fragile as she clung to Elias's arm, looking pitiful. But her eyes held a challenge that only I could catch.

A challenge aimed straight at me.

Elias shook off Lydia's hand and looked at me, nervous and unsure.

"Mimi," Elias said, guilt heavy in his voice. "Just hear me out. Lydia's pregnant—about a month along. The baby is mine."

My mind buzzed, and it felt like my blood froze in an instant.

All the joy and hope I'd been holding onto shattered into jagged shards of ice, stabbing right into my chest.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, just to keep myself from collapsing.

"The Heart family went bankrupt. She has no one left, and she's in poor health. I was drunk, that's the only reason it happened..." Elias tried to explain, his voice shaky.

"And what does that have to do with me?" I shot back, my tone icy.

"Mimi, you'll always be my wife—the real one. Once she gives birth, I'll make sure she's taken care of somewhere else," Elias insisted, as if that made everything okay.

"So you expect me to play second fiddle and share my husband with someone else?" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Elias saw my expression and quickly grabbed my arm, desperate to explain. "No, Mimi, that's not it. Once the baby's born, you'll be the one to raise it. I'll make sure Lydia is taken care of somewhere else. She won't ever bother you."

He seemed utterly convinced I was head over heels for him, like I'd just go along with whatever he wanted.

I couldn't believe it. Where did that man get the confidence to ask me to take care of him and his first love's child?

It was the biggest joke in the world.

Was I a glutton for punishment?

Or was there something wrong with my head?

Lydia gently touched her flat belly with that pitiful look that could make anyone feel sorry for her. "Mira, I promise I won't get in the way of you and Elias. I don't want anything. I just want to have my baby safely. Please don't blame Elias. It's really not his fault. We just drank too much that night, and he thought I was you, so he slept with me..."

Lydia really lived up to her reputation as the campus beauty at the University. With that helpless look, she was like a fragile porcelain doll—so delicate one'd want to wrap her up and keep her safe.

Elias looked at Lydia with guilt, steadying her as she looked like she might collapse.

Watching their little performance, I just felt sick to my stomach.

Why should I have to clean up their mistake?

A man who was tainted — I didn't want him. It disgusted me.

I didn't cry or throw a fit. I just gave him a look like he was garbage.

"Let's get a divorce, Elias," I said, my voice cold and steady.

For the first time, Elias's handsome face was frozen in disbelief. He must've thought I'd just break down and accept his mistakes.

He let go of Lydia and came over to me, his voice suddenly gentle and coaxing. "Mimi, don't take it so hard. I know you're upset, but Lydia and the baby didn't do anything wrong."

Looking at his smug, self-righteous expression, my stomach twisted in disgust.

I seriously couldn't believe I'd been in love with this guy for three whole years.

I had really been blind.

"I'm not acting out of spite," I said, my voice steady. "I told you when we got married, if you ever betrayed me, I'd divorce you on the spot."

Elias remembered the promise he'd made to me—to never fall out of love, to never cheat on me. I made the same promise to him.

Elias's voice faltered. "But I didn't mean for this to happen. It was just an accident."

"Elias, what's done is done. You didn't just do it. You brought her back here. That means you've chosen her. If we get divorced, you can be with her openly, and your child will have a legitimate status," I said, every word clear and unwavering. "I'm letting you go."

He knew how headstrong I was, so he tried to pull me closer, softening his tone even more. "I get that this is hard for you, but Lydia's situation is complicated. Don't take it out on me—just be good and listen, okay?"

"I'm not acting out of spite," I said, dodging his hand, my gaze icy cold. "Elias, I want a divorce."

"Don't even think about it!" He finally snapped at my stubbornness, grabbing my wrist in anger. "Mira, let me make this clear. As long as I say no, you're never leaving the Ashford family!"

"Letting Lydia stay is just a temporary fix. Once she has the baby, I'll send her away. Things are already like this. What are you still so upset about?" he shot back.

While we were locked in a standoff, Lydia, who'd been quiet the whole time, suddenly spoke up in a soft, fragile voice.

"Mira," Lydia said, tears streaming down her face, "please don't blame Elias. It's all my fault. If you're really mad, just hit me or yell at me—just don't leave Elias, okay?"

Back in college, she was all high and mighty, thought Elias was beneath her because he was just a regular guy. She dumped him for some rich kid, but the tables turned, her family went broke, the rich kid ditched her, and the Ashfords shot straight to the top.

Honestly, she couldn't wait for me to get divorced.