Chapter 5

The next morning, Natania headed downstairs, only to see Rosalie setting the table. After her efforts the previous night, Rosalie had changed out of the housekeeper uniform and was currently wearing a form-fitting dress. The fabric clung to her curvy body, leaving nothing to the imagination. When paired with her beautiful face, which was somewhat similar to Natania's, it was unsurprising that Stephen would pick her. Upon seeing Natania, Rosalie uttered in a gentle and warm tone, "Mrs. Fost, you're awake. Come on over and have breakfast." She then turned her body in a seemingly casual manner, but it instantly revealed the love marks on her neck. Besides that, there was a beautiful emerald bracelet on her slender wrist. At a glance, Natania recognized the bracelet to be a Fost family heirloom. It used to belong to Marissa, Stephen's mother. She had heard Marissa mention it before, and Stephen had also tried to ask for it on Natania's behalf. However, Marissa had refused, claiming it was because Natania could no longer have children. Yet, it was now on Rosalie's wrist. Natania curled her fingers into fists, suddenly feeling that everything she had fought so hard for in the past was nothing but a joke. Here she was, not wanting to make a huge fuss out of the situation because she was worried about their families' friendship. But in the end, Rosalie was the daughter-in-law Marissa had accepted and recognized. And judging from what happened at the hospital yesterday, even Stephen's best friend knew about Rosalie's existence. She was the only one being played for a fool, tricked by Stephen's empty promises. Natania couldn't help the bitter smile twisting her lips. If Stephen had decided all those years ago that he wanted a child, she could have accepted it and stopped entangling herself with him. When she recalled what she had seen last night in the study, it was like a thousand needles were stabbing into her heart, making it ache terribly. A strong urge to slap Stephen rose within her. However, this wasn't the outcome she wanted. She wanted him to regret his actions for the rest of his life. At that moment, Stephen came downstairs, looking refreshed and well-rested. Not a hint of exhaustion from his vigorous activities last night could be seen. As he walked past Rosalie, they clearly exchanged a heated look that had Rosalie lowering her head shyly. Only then did he turn around and notice Natania's pale complexion. He couldn't help but anxiously ask, "Babe, are you sick because you were in the rain yesterday? How about I don't go to work today and stay back home to take care of you?" At that moment, Natania was sorely tempted to just leave the house. Every additional second she spent with Stephen only made her feel more suffocated. Just being in his presence made her feel dirty. "No need," she refused. "The company matters are more important. I'll just stay at home and rest." Stephen knitted his brow when he heard that. He felt inexplicably a little panicked. In the past, Natania always acted like she wished she could glue herself to him, not wanting him to leave her for even a moment. Now, however, she was the exact opposite. Nonetheless, he knew her well. Once she had made up her mind, there was no changing it. Hence, he could only instruct the housekeepers, "All of you, take good care of Mrs. Fost." The housekeepers exchanged glances, but it seemed that they had grown immune to the blatant displays of affection, for they quickly nodded. Just then, Rosalie suddenly stood up and approached Stephen before starting to adjust his clothes. "Your collar's not straight. Let me help you." Stephen instinctively tilted his head, letting her do as she wished. It was precisely such an unconscious gesture that cut the deepest. The housekeepers gasped and turned to look at Natania, not daring even to breathe. Their reaction immediately reminded Stephen of where he was. He hastily took a step back to put some distance between himself and Rosalie, then murmured a polite thanks. "I'm heading off to work." He stepped over to Natania before bending over to drop a kiss on her forehead. His following words were soft. "Be good and wait for me to come back." His indulgent tone was exactly the same as when he spoke to Rosalie last night in the study.