Chapter 4

It was nine in the evening when they left the Richards estate. Sebastian clicked his seatbelt and casually asked, "What were you and Daniel chatting about just now? Looked like you were really hitting it off." Elaria let out a quiet "Mm" and replied, "Oh, we were discussing your childhood sweetheart." Sebastian went quiet. After a moment, he reached over and gently held her hand, his voice softer than usual. "I've never slept with her." Leaning back against the seat, Elaria stared ahead, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She knew better. That rare glimpse of tenderness from Sebastian only showed up when she was in her most fertile window-he just wanted a child. It had nothing to do with love, and even less to do with her. Deep down, she really wondered-if Sebastian found out she couldn't have kids anymore, would he still try to keep her, or sprint into a divorce just to find someone "worthy" of being Mrs. Richards? Tonight, Sebastian was putting in uncommon effort, closing the distance between them, trying to draw her in. And Elaria? She couldn't feel more pathetic. Her husband didn't love her-only saw her as a breeding and business machine. He clearly had zero interest in intimacy with her but still made sure they slept together like clockwork, just to conceive. It felt no different than being reduced to instinct-driven animals. She turned her face away from his kiss, her voice hoarse, tinged with a sorrow she couldn't hide. "Sebastian, I meant it when I said I want a divorce. If you think I'm asking for too much, we can negotiate." Inside the dim car, Sebastian stared at her like he was trying to see through every inch of her. After a long silence, his tone went cold. "I've told you-we're not getting divorced." "Elaria, everything'll be fine once we have a kid. You won't be in your head so much." She quietly shut her eyes, drained. "Sebastian... what if I can't have children anymore?" He frowned like it was the most ridiculous thought. "That's impossible. We both did pre-marital checkups, remember?" Elaria gave a bitter smile. That four-year-old report? Might as well be trash now. Just like his proposal back then-already buried somewhere between broken promises and another woman's arms. Back at Imperial Crest Residences, it was nearly ten. Sebastian took a shower in the guest room. He had probably planned to coax her into bed tonight, but a call came and he left in a hurry. Elaria didn't even flinch. She figured he was off to see his lover. Whatever. At least she didn't have to put up with him tonight. That night, he never came back. The lights at Imperial Crest stayed on all night, but the man of the house never returned. Over the next week, Sebastian wasn't home once. He never brought up divorce again. And those chilly autumn nights-what was Elaria doing? She often stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in their bedroom, gazing out at the sycamore leaves starting to turn yellow, thinking... If she hadn't quit painting early, hadn't rushed into marriage, hadn't dived into the business world too soon-maybe, just maybe, she'd be living a much happier life now. As for Sebastian? She didn't call him. He might as well be out there, dead to her. After days apart, they finally saw each other again-at a business dinner. ***** [Eclat Haven] Caelmoor's most upscale business club. Elaria had barely walked into the private room when she spotted Bianca pressed up close to Sebastian, playing the doting damsel. As soon as Bianca saw her, she looked down at her phone, pretending Elaria didn't even exist. Annie looked pissed, ready to snap. Elaria stopped her with a light touch, her tone flat, "She's Sebastian's latest obsession-let's just play along for now."There wasn't an open seat near Sebastian, and Elaria had no intention of joining his little entourage, so she simply excused herself and went to the restroom, giving him enough time to deal with his precious sidepiece. The washroom sparkled under the crystal lights. While rinsing her hands, Elaria suddenly heard the clack of heels behind her. She glanced up and saw Bianca's reflection in the mirror. Bianca stepped closer, nowhere near her usual respectful self, voice laced with smugness and challenge. "I moved back into the villa. Sebastian said I can stay as long as I want." Elaria turned off the tap. She calmly studied Bianca's youthful, doll-like face in the mirror. Fresh and innocent-Bianca could sell that image all day. Not like her, face showing traces of long nights and business meetings. Funny, she was only twenty-six. Elaria looked down, slowly twisting her wedding ring around her finger, her tone light. "If I were you, Miss Thompson, I'd learn to play the part of a quiet, well-fed canary. Stop making noise, cling to his neck when you want something, and spare the world the awkward details of what happens between the sheets. Also, this kind of event? Not really your crowd." Bianca smirked. "Sebastian won't let me drink. He's protective of me." "Is that so?" Elaria's smile didn't reach her eyes. "You might want to know this-Sebastian worships one thing: money. He knows exactly where women stand in his priority list. Give it five minutes-if that glass had poison instead of wine, he'd still probably hand it to you with a smile." Bianca paled. "I don't believe you." The curve of Elaria's smile faded a bit more. When Bianca left, Elaria stared at her own reflection, dazed. Even she found her earlier bluff laughable. She knew well-if she made the effort, she could stay Mrs. Richards forever. But that's not the life or marriage she wanted. Back at the private room, Sebastian's side was finally cleared. Elaria sat down gracefully, defaulting to their usual charade of the doting couple. Bianca sat far off, eyes watery, trying her best to look pitiful. Sebastian looked annoyed. "Was it really necessary to pick on her?" Elaria didn't respond. He had no clue-every word he said in Bianca's defense felt like a stab. He cared when Bianca hurt, but what about her? The woman who'd stood by him through it all? Yeah... what about her? Her heart ached, but her face remained composed. With a smile, she suggested Bianca toast someone from the other firm-clearly a man who had a thing for Bianca's sweet-and-innocent act. Bianca tried to squirm her way out of it, counting on her "position." Under the glittering chandelier, Sebastian's striking face darkened-quiet, but charged, like a storm about to break. He knew. Elaria was doing this on purpose. Sebastian picked up his glass and looked at Elaria, though his words were aimed at Bianca. "Aurvista's project is a billion-dollar deal. Bianca, show Mr. Lee some courtesy." Bianca didn't dare object anymore. Lips trembling, she murmured, "Okay." As Bianca humbled herself and went over to drink with Mr. Lee, Elaria stayed seated beside Sebastian. His expression was blank, while Elaria felt like the evil stepmother, watching herself snuff out whatever teenage fantasy love he'd once had. For a second, they forgot they were once young lovers. ***** Late at night in the underground parking garage. Annie steadied Elaria as she opened the rear car door. "Watch your head, Ms. Grace. You drank a bit too much tonight." Elaria held her forehead, muttering, "Just not in a great mood." Annie got it. Sebastian had really gone too far today.The Aurvista Project had been Elaria's baby from day one. She handled everything-upfront planning, all the networking-it was all her. But tonight, Sebastian brought Bianca along like she had any right to be there. Anyone would be pissed. And honestly? Seeing Bianca drink herself straight into the hospital? Felt oddly satisfying. Just as Elaria was about to get into her car, a man's arm reached out and grabbed her wrist. With a loud bang, her body slammed against the black SUV. The cold metal only made her look even more fragile and alone. She took a few seconds to catch her breath from the pain, then looked up at her husband's stormy face and spoke quietly, "Annie, give us a minute." Annie looked worried but didn't dare argue under Sebastian's sharp gaze. She whispered, "Ma'am's not feeling well." Elaria's eyes stung, turning red. After Annie reluctantly stepped away, Sebastian finally snapped. He stepped in on her, gripped her chin, and hissed through clenched teeth- "Why the hell were you picking on her?" "She had to be sent to the hospital for her stomach to get pumped." "I've told you already-she's just a family friend. I'm only helping out a bit..." Smack! Elaria slapped him across the face. Her hand went numb from the impact, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably. She stared at him, her voice icy. "Helping her straight into your bed? Tell me, Sebastian, are you flaunting your affair, or do you really think I'm that stupid?" Sebastian's head turned with the force of the slap. Slowly, he turned back, tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek, eyes locked on her like she was his biggest threat. But his voice was eerily calm. "You that desperate for my love? Willing to lose it all?" Elaria gave a dry laugh, echoing his words with scorn. "Don't flatter yourself." Sebastian seemed to reel himself in. Eventually, he reached out and gently touched her face. "Elaria, you've changed. You used to be obedient. Wasn't it nice, playing the perfect Mrs. Richards? Just have a baby, and your place would be secure. Why's that not enough for you? Why always fight me on everything?" The night air was cold. Tears streamed down Elaria's cheeks, but she barely noticed. "Back then?" "So you know there's a ‘back then'?" "Sebastian, are we even still the same people from back then? Back then, you didn't have some girl hanging off you every time I turned around. Back then, you actually came home at night. Back then, you didn't time my ovulation like I was some baby-making machine." "So tell me, who's changed? You, or me?" Four years in the same bed, and now the masks were off. Sebastian looked at Elaria without saying a word. This woman had walked beside him through the elite social scene for four years. But after a long pause, his eyes turned cold, like he'd made up his mind right then and there. The night was silent. It felt like mourning. He let go of her and took a step back. "Starting tomorrow, you're off the Aurvista Project. As for your role at the company, I'll bring it to the board." Elaria gave a bitter smile. First sword out of its sheath-and he used it to cut her down. The truth was, both Elaria and Sebastian knew-Bianca wasn't the only thing wedged between them. This wasn't just about another woman. Sebastian was burning the bridge behind him, trying to force Elaria back into the role of Mrs. Richards. A full-time wife. A child-bearer. He wanted to keep her chained to him for life, using her love as the leash. Love, children... In that moment, her grief broke through rage. It hit her all at once. All these years, it had always just been her loving alone. Meeting Sebastian hadn't been fate-it was her biggest mistake. She was done hiding. She was done pretending. Right now, she was going to tell Sebastian the truth. She couldn't have children anymore.