Chapter 2

That night, time seemed to congeal.

Whenever I tried to sleep, nightmares would startle me awake. I sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, hugging my knees, watching the garden take shape in the gray-blue morning mist until dawn broke.

When William returned the next morning, I closed my eyes and feigned sleep.

He carefully removed his coat, which still carried the chill of the outside air, waited until his body temperature warmed, and then slipped under the covers, hugging me from behind. His heartbeat was steady and powerful, transmitting through the thin fabric of my pajamas.

"Darling, wake up. I have something to show you." He whispered softly, activating the holographic projection on the nightstand.

A 3D model of a vineyard in the south of France floated in the air—an ancient castle, rolling vines, like an oil painting.

"I just signed for it," his tone held a childish need for praise. "It's named after our child. And not only that—I've set up a trust fund. When the baby is born, we'll host a grand charity gala and invite all the elite to celebrate."

He looked so proud, planning out every detail of a future destined to be broken.

He rambled on about the details of the winery, only realizing my silence after a long while.

Then he heard my suppressed sobbing.

He spun me around abruptly—and froze. My face was already bathed in tears.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

William Vanderbilt, who could debate entire crowds into submission at hearings, was now at a loss because of my tears.

If I frowned, he would move heaven and earth to smooth it out for me. That was him—or rather, that was the role he played so meticulously.

I forced a pale smile and wiped away the tears.

"Nothing," I said. "I just had a nightmare. I dreamt you didn't want me anymore."

He let out a sigh of relief, the corners of his mouth curving into a charming arc. "Silly girl. Even if the stock market goes to zero, I would never unwanted you. Never."

He cupped my face, his thumb stroking the corner of my eye. "I've cancelled all my meetings today. What do you want to eat? I'll cook personally."

I shook my head. "No need. I'm meeting Sophie for lunch at 'Le Cordon Bleu'. You go to the office."

He hesitated for a moment, but William was never one to go against my wishes.

"Then I'll accompany you."

When we walked into the private booth accessible only to members, the air was filled with laughter.

"I knew it!" Sophie teased. "Where Charlotte is, William is sure to be. He's practically your shadow."

William took his seat elegantly, exuding that innate aristocratic air with every gesture.

He signaled the waiter to distribute the gifts he had prepared in advance to the ladies present.

Gasps of amazement rose and fell.

"Oh my god, this is the latest limited edition from Van Cleef & Arpels—how much must this have cost!"

"William, you're always so generous! Being Charlotte's friend is such a blessing!"

They were right. William would spend a fortune to please the people around me because he knew it was a shortcut to making me happy.

Everyone at the table looked at me with envy, even jealousy.

"Charlotte, you must have saved the galaxy in your past life," a friend exclaimed. "He spoils you like a princess."

I maintained a polite smile, but it never reached my eyes.

They couldn't see that my "happiness" was draining away, bit by bit, with every tick of the second hand.

Just then, the door to the booth was pushed open.

It was her.

Victoria Astor.

She was wearing a sharply tailored haute couture suit, radiating the arrogance and confidence of someone who had grown up in piles of money.

"Oh—sorry, am I in the wrong room?" She raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise. "Wait... isn't this the charity group my fiancé sponsors?"

The room fell instantly silent.

But Victoria didn't seem to care about the awkwardness.

She walked straight over and sat opposite me, glancing carelessly at the jewelry boxes in everyone's hands.

"Van Cleef & Arpels," she smiled contemptuously. "A decent brand. But you might not know—the parent company of this jeweler was acquired by my father just last week."

She looked directly at me, her gaze burning: "Two years ago, my partner orchestrated the whole thing behind the scenes to help me expand my empire. He is a genius, and a perfect father."

Her gaze swept to William, lingering for merely a second, before coiling around me like a viper.

That smile, sharp as a knife, was a declaration of sovereignty.

I felt the air being sucked out of my lungs.