The car pulled up in front of a lavish estate, ablaze with lights and the sound of a live orchestra flowing out into the night.
“Ms. Shaw, happy birthday!” Cheers and well wishes rang out as I walked in.
All eyes turned toward me.
“Isn’t that Mr. Turner’s wife? What’s she doing here dressed like that? So tacky.”
“I heard she’s clinging to him shamelessly. How pathetic.”
“Mr. Turner should’ve dumped her ages ago. Ms. Shaw is carrying his child now. Why won’t she just leave?”
“She even tried to push Ms. Shaw down. What a heartless woman…”
I ignored the murmurs and kept walking.
Lucas’s brows furrowed when he saw me. “Nina, why are you here?”
I smiled. “It’s Ms. Shaw’s birthday. How could I not attend?”
I held out the jewelry box. “What she wanted.”
Lily’s eyes sparkled as she reached for it. She opened it slowly, deliberately, so everyone could see.
“Lucas, this is for me?” she asked sweetly.
Lucas didn’t respond. His gaze lingered on me, unreadable.
She giggled, “Put it on for me?”
After a pause, he picked up the necklace and fastened it around her neck.
Then, on tiptoe, she suddenly threw her arms around his neck, kissed his cheek, and turned to me with a triumphant smirk.
I didn’t say a word.
Suddenly, Lily staggered with a cry. “Ah!”
Lucas rushed to catch her and then turned to glare at me. “What are you trying to do now?”
Without responding, I handed him the document folder. “Sign.”
He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Lily clutched her stomach. “Ah! Lucas, my stomach... it hurts!”
Panic flickered in his eyes. Without even glancing at the document, he scrawled his signature, scooped her into his arms, and said, “I’m taking you to the hospital!”
I turned to leave, clutching the signed papers—only to be tripped violently from behind.
I crashed to the ground. My forehead slammed against a metal fixture, and a warm stream of blood began trickling down my cheek.
Lucas turned instinctively, eyes filled with hesitation as if he might come help me.
“Lucas! It hurts... please! The hospital!” Lily sobbed, gripping his sleeve tightly.
He froze, then turned away and carried her out without looking back.
I lay there, the blood in my eyes turning the world red and blurry.
Around me, people stared. Some looked amused. No one moved.
Grinding my teeth, I pushed myself up from the cold floor. It was only then that I noticed—my wedding ring was gone.