Chapter 3

Once Julian was gone, I took inventory of my assets.

Thirty million dollars in cold, hard cash. More than enough to live in luxury for the rest of my days.

After double-checking every account, I booked a one-way ticket to Geneva, Switzerland.

Flight departure: in exactly three days.

Once I tied up the final loose ends, I would be completely free.

Just as I finalized my itinerary, Julian's call buzzed through.

My heart skipped a beat, wondering if he had uncovered my plan.

Then his arrogant, commanding tone came through the line:

"Come to the estate."

I frowned. "What for?"

"Chloe wants to try on the heirloom jewelry my grandmother left behind."

He paused, his voice so casual it sounded like the most ordinary errand.

"Bring it over to the estate."

Gripping the phone, I nearly laughed out loud.

The Sterling family heirloom was finally going to be worn by the real lady of the house.

Letting out a breath of relief, I changed into a simple dress and drove straight to the estate.

The Sterling family manor hadn't been this lively in years.

The circular driveway was packed with luxury sports cars and Maybachs.

Grandfather Sterling's booming laughter echoed across the marble halls.

"Good, good! The Sterling line continues!"

"You ran wild for years, Julian, but you're finally settling down."

Chloe sat in the center of the drawing room, one hand resting protectively over her flat stomach.

Julian sat right beside her, peeling an orange with a rare, tender smile on his face.

The room was packed with high-society guests singing their praises.

I was long used to being relegated to the shadows.

Yet, hearing them casually brainstorm baby names, my hand instinctively dropped to my own flat stomach.

There had once been a baby in there, too.

Julian's and mine.

That day, Chloe and I had an argument at the top of the grand staircase.

Hysterical and dramatic, she grabbed my arm, and my heel slipped. I tumbled all the way down.

By the time I woke up in the emergency room, the baby was gone.

When the blood had soaked through my clothes, I was completely terrified.

Helpless and sobbing, I called Julian over and over again.

More than a dozen missed calls.

In the end, all that answered me was Chloe's breathless moans drifting through the receiver.

It wasn't until the next afternoon that Julian learned from his assistant that I had miscarried.

He gave no excuses.

He only offered two brief sentences:

"We're still young. We can have another baby."

"Focus on recovering first."

But I knew there would never be another child.

Afterward, Julian promised me a massive financial settlement.

He didn't pay it out in one lump sum; he paid it in installments.

Back then, I comforted myself with a bitter smile:

An unborn child in exchange for a lifetime retirement fund.

Not a bad trade.

Every installment brought me one step closer to leaving Julian for good and living the life I actually wanted.

Yet now, watching the boundless adoration spilling from Julian's eyes, watching how eagerly he anticipated fatherhood...

An unprecedented wave of grief crashed over my chest.

"What took you so long?"

Julian's cold voice shattered my thoughts.

His gaze swept over my pale face, finally landing on the velvet box in my hands.

"Chloe is going to be the mistress of this house soon. Let her try it on to see if it fits."

I glanced down at the box.

Inside rested a priceless, museum-grade heirloom set of emeralds and diamonds.

Julian's late mother had stated in her will that this set could only be passed down to the true lady of the Sterling dynasty.

Clearly, Julian had found his woman.

I smiled faintly, carried the box over, and offered it to Chloe.

"Go ahead and open it."

Chloe took the velvet case, a vicious spark of triumph gleaming in her eyes.

"Natalie, why don't you put it on for me?"

I paused for a second.

Still, I lifted the heavy necklace and clasped it around her slender neck.

In the vanity mirror, Chloe looked radiant wearing the Sterling family jewels.

And behind her was me, looking like nothing more than a faded background prop.

Fair enough.

A paid mistress.

What right did I have to throw a tantrum?

Unabashed giggles and snide remarks drifted from the crowd behind us.

"My, Natalie really is generous, isn't she?"

"The Sterling heirloom is on Miss Bennett's neck now."

"Looks like Mr. Sterling has made his final choice."

"Of course! The real Mrs. Sterling shouldn't let an outsider occupy the position forever!"

I had heard lines like these a thousand times.

I lowered my eyes, helped Chloe adjust the matching earrings, and quietly counted down the days until my flight.

Lost in thought, someone tapped my shoulder from behind.