Elara’s eyes narrowed instantly.
“Why are you at it again? He’s sick, he’s fragile—shouldn’t I care about him? If you keep picking on Dorian, don’t blame me for getting angry!”
Then she answered his video call, her tone instantly soft and sweet.
“Dorian, be good. Take your medicine first, alright?”
Her voice—the one I thought was mine alone—poured through the phone to him.
The next morning, Dorian stood at our villa door, suitcase in hand, smiling like a fox.
“Surprise! I had a business trip nearby, so I thought I’d stop in.”
Elara’s eyes lit up. She grabbed his arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He winked at her. “Wouldn’t be a surprise if I did. So… which room’s mine?”
“We booked a couple’s villa. One bedroom,” I cut in flatly.
He feigned shock, then waved it off. “No problem. Couch is fine.”
I ignored him and headed into the bathroom. As I reached for my toothbrush, a small box slipped from Elara’s makeup bag—birth control pills.
Before I could even process it, Dorian strolled in behind me, yawning. His eyes darted to the box, and his mouth curled into a smirk.
“I told her to take those. Getting pregnant right after marriage? What a drag. Better to enjoy life, just the two of you—right, Elara?”
He winked at her. She froze, then nodded weakly.
My chest turned to ice.
“Did he tell you to take them—or did you decide that for us?”
Elara wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“Of course it’s for us. And… and Dorian is right…”
Dorian is right.
Dorian smirked wider, twisting the knife.
“Don’t be hard on her, Adrian. She’s too kind. She knew you wanted kids, but she didn’t want to upset you. Isn’t that thoughtful?”
“Get the fuck out!”
I shoved him back, then kicked him hard. He crashed into the doorframe, his forehead splitting open, blood trickling down his face.
“Adrian! What are you doing?!” Elara shrieked, rushing to Dorian’s side. Her eyes were bloodshot, her hands trembling as she shielded him. “He’s my friend!”
“Friend?” I laughed, bitter and hollow. “Would a friend interfere with whether we have children? Would a friend show up at our honeymoon villa? Elara, answer me—who’s your husband? Me, or him?”
She faltered, lips parting but no words coming out. Finally, she snapped, “You’re being unreasonable! Wait until I get back at you!”
Dorian clutched his bleeding forehead, yet his tone was gentle, saintly.