Chapter 5

Wendy POV

An eerie silence spread through the space, seemingly lasting an entire century.

Lucas's Adam's apple bobbed.

Finally, he slowly forced out a single word.

"...Yes."

Though I'd already guessed, hearing him admit it in this moment still felt like an invisible hand viciously squeezing my heart. Suffocating pain instantly swept through my entire body.

The crisp sound of a slap suddenly echoed through the living room.

Lucas's face turned to the side, a clear handprint quickly appearing on his cheek.

"Why?"

Extreme anger and absurdity made my voice shake terribly.

"Lucas, tell me why? You and Melody have a child, but you never mentioned it to me.Not one word! What do you take me for? A complete and utter fool?!"

Lucas frantically grabbed my wrists.

"Wendy, listen to me! I didn't mean to hide it from you! I... I was just too afraid that if you knew about this, you couldn't accept it and would leave me!"

He looked at me, a pained redness showing in his eyes.

"I lost you once. I've tasted what that's like. I never want to go through it a second time. That's why I chose to hide it!"

Love?

Hearing that word, I almost laughed out loud.

His love was built on deception and concealment?

His love meant using my brother as leverage while getting cozy with his ex-wife on the side?

My eyes reddened.

"Didn't you say you and Melody were just going through the motions? Then how did this child come about?"

Avoiding my sharp gaze, Lucas's brows furrowed tightly.

"It was during a business dinner. Someone slipped something into my drink... Melody happened to be there too. When I woke up, it had already happened."

"Grandfather was still alive then. He wouldn't allow Sterling family blood to be terminated. I had no choice."

He paused, then gripped my hand with restless anxiety.

"But Wendy, believe me, it really was just an accident! Melody's been raising that child at the Sinclair house all along. Whether they exist or not doesn't affect our relationship or marriage!"

His sincere, urgent defense. If this were before, I might have actually believed his explanation.

I suddenly felt a deep exhaustion surge up, engulfing my entire body. It turned out that when heartache and disappointment reached their extreme, the heart would actually calm down.

Whether what he said was true or false, what was the point of arguing about it now?

After all, we'd be divorcing soon. He and I would have nothing to do with each other anymore.

Seeing me slowly close my eyes, Lucas took my silence as a sign of softening.

He quickly pulled out a deep blue velvet jewelry box from his inner suit pocket.

Inside was a rare pink diamond that shimmered brilliantly under the lights, displaying its considerable value.

"Wendy, look. I specially prepared this for you."

He took out the necklace and put it on me, his tone ingratiating.

"I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have hidden things from you. Forgive me, okay? I promise I'll never hide anything from you again."

The cool touch of the pink diamond against my skin made me wonder.

Would every time he did something wrong in the future, he'd just throw money or something expensive at me to smooth things over?

But clearly, during those five years we were together before, he wasn't like this.

Back then, he never made me angry, never hid things... No, the Lucas of that time did hide things from me too. He hid the fact that he was the Sterling heir.

Perhaps after knowing him all these years, I never truly understood him.

Over the next few days, Lucas was unusually attentive.

He pushed aside many unnecessary social engagements, came home on time to have dinner with me, tried everything to make me happy, begging me not to dwell on those matters.

I said nothing, only grew increasingly silent.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the Sterling family's quarterly banquet.

At this kind of occasion, whether willing or not, Lucas had to attend, and as the current Mrs. Sterling, I naturally had to as well.

Sterling Manor.

Lucas and I had just arrived when suddenly, a young boy's clear, cheerful voice came from the entrance.

"Daddy!"

My fingers trembled. I slowly turned around.

I saw Melody wearing an eye-catching red gown, her makeup radiant, holding the hand of a little boy as they walked in.