Chapter 2

2

The next morning, I looked at Kieran and spoke up. "Let's go back to the Jenkins estate together."

His expression froze for a second, but he quickly regained his composure. "Alright. We'll drop off the gift and come right back."

I knew he didn't want me there because he was afraid I would upset Grace.

But I simply wanted to go back to my adoptive family's home to look at them one last time.

After all, tomorrow I would be leaving for good.

When we arrived, the grand hall was filled with guests celebrating Grace's pregnancy and her entry into the international exhibition.

Grace was surrounded by people treating her like a star, praising her submitted painting and guaranteeing it would win the gold medal.

They even mentioned that the painting featured calligraphy by a mysterious artist named "Missing Grace," making it a flawless masterpiece.

When Grace saw me walk in, her face visibly changed, but she quickly masked it.

With a proper smile on her face, she spoke with dripping sarcasm. "Sister, you came? Are you really that free lately?"

I ignored her provocation and fixed my eyes on the painting displayed in the center of the room.

It was a piece so familiar that it physically hurt me to look at it.

That was my painting, completed years ago and locked away in my private collection, never shown to the public.

How did my artwork end up here, labeled as her competition entry?

Grace looked at me with a smirk, suddenly leaning in close with a soft yet mocking tone.

"Does my sister like this painting that much?"

I gave her a cold stare and was just about to speak when she suddenly shrieked.

"No―"

Before I could even react, she threw herself backward, stumbling and clutching her stomach with a look of sheer agony.

The crowd instantly erupted into chaos.

"What happened?!"

"Grace is pregnant, how could you push her!"

"Somebody call a doctor!"

Amidst the confusion, I heard a desperate, panicked shout. "Grace!"

Others might not have recognized it, but I knew that voice instantly.

It was Kieran's voice.

The heartbreak and pity in his eyes were impossible to hide, popping the very last bubble of my false hope.

Realizing I was watching him, Kieran quickly composed himself.

He turned to me, his tone gentle but carrying a clear reprimand. "No matter what, Grace is carrying a child. You shouldn't have pushed her."

Right then, an announcement came through that the painting had made the finals and was a favorite for the gold medal.

A flash of uncontrollable joy appeared on his face, an expression I hadn't seen in all our five years together.

I lowered my voice and asked him. "Why is Grace's painting exactly the same as mine?"

He stiffened slightly but quickly played dumb. "Maybe it's just a coincidence. You two have similar styles..."

I let out a cold laugh and didn't say another word.

That painting was kept safely inside my private gallery, and only a few people had the key.

Not to mention the calligraphy on the canvas.

Even though a fake name was used, the handwriting perfectly matched the script Kieran used when copying thousands of Bible verses.

It was entirely obvious how the painting got here and who was responsible.

I had originally prepared that painting to give to him as a gift for our fifth wedding anniversary.

Now, realizing our entire marriage was a sham, the painting had lost all its meaning.

I just smiled, my voice so flat that no one could read my emotions.

Sensing something was wrong, Kieran looked worried and quickly made a suggestion.

"Why don't we leave right now? Let's go somewhere to relax."

I raised my eyes to meet his, a faint curve forming on my lips. "Then let's take the yacht out. A night cruise, and we can watch the sunrise tomorrow."