Chapter 2
Emily slowly looked up. Through her blurry vision, Matthew's face came into focus—sharp, handsome, and as flawless as ever.
No woman could stay calm after seeing a face like that.
She hadn't either. Back then, she'd fallen for his looks so hard it hurt. And when he slipped that dazzling diamond ring onto her finger, promising her forever, how could she have possibly said no?
But a man like Matthew was never going to love just one woman.
In truth, he'd never loved her at all.
Her gaze dropped to his neck, where faint lipstick marks and the shadow of a kiss stood out against his skin.
A sharp pain stabbed through her chest. The truth hit her all over again—she'd only ever been a replacement.
Her stomach twisted. The ache from her recent procedure flared up, and she instinctively held her abdomen, her face contorted in pain.
Matthew frowned, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"
Emily bit her lip hard and shook her head. She couldn't bring herself to tell him about the miscarriage.
Matthew didn't press. He scooped her up in his arms like she was fragile porcelain and said softly, "You're still so young, always trying to act tough. If you're not feeling well, just say so. You've got your husband right here. Let me take care of you."
Emily's eyes flickered.
Could she still lean on him after everything?
When Matthew laid her on the bed, he slipped in beside her, his fingers tracing her cheek. "Baby," he murmured, "I'll stay home with you tonight."
But before she could even reply, his phone started ringing.
He glanced at the screen, sat up immediately, and turned away as he answered. Even so, Emily could hear the voice of a woman on the other end. "Matthew, you promised you'd come to the auction. I've been waiting for you all night."
His tone softened. "Yeah, I know. I'm on my way."
He hung up and turned back with an easy smile. "Sorry, honey. A few business partners just arrived. I've got to meet them, so I can't stay tonight."
Emily watched as he grabbed his jacket. "I want to come with you," she blurted out before she could stop herself.
Matthew paused and frowned. "Why would you? It's not really the kind of place for a girl like you."
Her voice trembled, but her eyes stayed firm. "You promised to spend the night with me. Keeping that promise means taking me with you."
Annoyance flickered across his face. "Fine. Do whatever you want."
Once they left Grant Villa and got into the Maybach, Emily noticed the crystal charm hanging from the rearview mirror. It was a pale blue stone—not the color she'd seen before.
Her heart sank, and the sadness on her face gave her away.
Matthew caught her glance and said casually, "The old one looked worn out. I saw this color and thought it was nice. You like blue, don't you?"
Emily's fingers tightened in her lap.
In the video from that secret room, Claire—the woman she'd seen Matthew kissing—had worn a light blue dress. She was the one who loved this color, not Emily.
Emily forced a smile. "Yeah. When something's old, it's better to throw it away."
It was just like their marriage. Some things were meant to be discarded.
*****
Half an hour later, they arrived at the auction hall.
Claire was already waiting at the entrance. The moment she saw Emily—her mirror image—her expression faltered.
Matthew brushed it off with a cool smile. "Claire's my new assistant," he explained to Emily, before taking Claire by the arm and walking her inside.
Emily followed quietly, watching the two of them disappear into the crowd.
By the time the auction broke for intermission, she was alone. She went to the restroom, but as she turned a corner, she saw Claire surrounded by several businessmen, each of them laughing too loudly and holding their glasses a little too close.
Claire looked uncomfortable, her face pale and her eyes glassy with unshed tears. One of the men reached for her wrist.
Before Emily could even react, a figure brushed past her.
It was Matthew.
He grabbed the man's arm and yanked him away, pulling Claire protectively behind him.