Chapter 2

2.

Declan clearly wanted to press further.

But my phone suddenly vibrated.

The name "Dad" displayed on the screen made Declan shut his mouth.

My father, Richard Sterling, couldn't hide the joy and love in his voice:

"Harper, tell Declan to pause those trivial things he's working on. I'm sending my own team to take over the Riverside development project. His most important job right now is to take care of you and the baby. I'm flying back from London in two days..."

I looked at the man in front of me, whose face was full of impatience.

"Dad, there's no need."

My voice was dry.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and his tone became anxious.

"What's wrong? Is Declan bullying you?"

I turned my back, suppressing the lump in my throat.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'll handle it."

After a long silence, a sigh came from the other end.

Just like six years ago, when I had a huge fight with my father to marry Declan, who had nothing back then.

It was the first time in my life I had lost my temper with my father. As I slammed the door and left, I saw this man, usually so decisive in business, covering his face with trembling hands.

"Harper, I couldn't bear to let your mother suffer even a little bit before she passed away. How can I bear to watch you marry Declan and live such a hard life?"

My mother passed away early. She didn't give birth to me until she was thirty-six.

And when Declan’s mother, Martha, came to our house for dinner for the first time, she complained loudly at the table in front of everyone:

"If it were up to me, Declan should have married someone more outstanding. I'm still puzzled why he chose you."

"Forgive me for being harsh, but I really can't see anything praiseworthy about you."

Declan remained silent at the time, but my father nearly crushed his wine glass.

But back then, I didn't care.

Marriage is between two people.

Although Declan came from a humble background, we were independent adults. I was confident I could live my own life well.

Besides, what reason did I have to doubt a man who had nearly died for me during that robbery?

A voice from behind interrupted my memories.

"Declan, the investors just messaged. They'll be in the lobby in five minutes."

It was Lyla.

The man's voice returned to its usual calm and professionalism.

"Good. Prepare to welcome them."

As footsteps faded away, I took a deep breath and lowered the phone that had long since been hung up.

Suddenly, a pair of high heels appeared in front of me.

It was Lyla.

She chuckled lightly, her eyes full of mockery.

"Mrs. Vance, Declan said if you have anything to say in the future, you can tell me directly. I'll pass it on for you."

Communication between husband and wife now had to go through an outsider.

This was the ultimate humiliation.

The woman stood there, admiring my expression, her look tinged with triumph.

"Mrs. Vance, let me be straight with you. Declan treats me very well, and I cherish the opportunity to work with him. I understand his ambition for his career, so I won't easily leave the Vance Group."

"Unlike you, who were born with everything, everything I have was earned by burning the midnight oil. Rather than being a trophy wife, I prefer to have real value in a man's eyes."

Her gaze was teasing, completely different from the gentle and firm persona she had just displayed in front of the man.

I tightened my grip on my handbag and sneered.

"You talk big. Declan has never lacked employees willing to work themselves to death for him. Your so-called 'value' is nothing more than a consumable resource he can replace at any time."

She didn't get angry. Instead, she elegantly opened her phone's photo gallery. It was full of chat history screenshots.

"You might not know, but Declan gave me his private phone password last month. Which means, since then, every 'Good morning' and 'Good night' you sent... the person replying to you has been me."

"By the way, that blue sapphire necklace you liked on your anniversary? I was the one who suggested Declan bid on it."

"You told him to come home early and sent that photo of you in the new nightgown... That time, it was also me who persuaded Declan to go home. He only put down his work because I told him to."

"Did you know? I stayed up all night in the office that day. The next morning, a Cartier bracelet matching yours was on my desk. I just never wear it to avoid drawing attention..."

Slap.

The crisp sound of a slap echoed in the empty corridor. My fingertips tingled from the force of the impact.

My pride in my upbringing and emotional control vanished in that instant.

"What kind of trash are you? Daring to wreck my marriage?"

She covered her face, stunned for a moment, then smiled again.

"Are you scared?"

Seeing my silence, she grew even more smug.

"Don't worry, I'm not the kind of woman who uses dirty tricks to seduce men. Unless..." She changed her tone, smiling seductively, "The other party takes the first step. Then, I won't hesitate to walk the rest of the way."

The fanatic light in her eyes suddenly calmed me down.

That year, if Declan hadn't taken that first step toward me which almost cost him his life, how could I have tearfully accompanied him through the rest of the journey?

And this woman in front of me was actually proud of this.

I had the Sterling family backing me. What did she have?

Lyla stared at me arrogantly. "Too angry to speak?"

Before turning to leave, I chuckled softly.

"What is there to say? Good luck."