Chapter 5

Lila's face stayed blank. "Those things were old. I threw them out." Dominic didn't think twice. He figured she was just clearing out clutter before the wedding. "My supplementary card's still with you. If you need anything, just buy it." After a momentary pause, he added, "Pearl says she won't make a fuss about what happened yesterday. But make sure it won't happen again. Starting today, you two need to get along. Got it?" Lila wondered if he actually wanted them both under the same roof, peacefully sharing him? Dream on! She couldn't even be bothered to answer. She turned and headed upstairs. Dominic noticed something strange about the way she walked and took a step to follow. Pearl's gaze flicked after Lila. Then, she turned back, her voice sour as she said, "Lila's really lucky. She doesn't do a thing and still gets to spend as much as she wants." Dominic chuckled, his tone warm and spoiling. "Are you jealous? Whatever you want, I'll buy it for you." "Dom, I like you, not your money," she said, leaning into him. "My dear, you get both," he replied. He scooped her up, carried her straight past Lila, and disappeared into the bedroom. Moments later, breathy sounds started drifting out through the door. Once, those sounds would've cut straight into Lila's heart. Now, she only listened, cold and distant, as if the man in that room with Pearl weren't Dominic at all. In less than a month, she'd be gone anyway. After Pearl moved in, she and Dominic were practically glued together. If they weren't kissing, they would be hugging each other. Lila pretended not to see a thing. She just kept counting down the days until she could walk away. ... A few days later, Pearl suddenly announced she was leaving, tears streaming down her face. Dominic looked at her and asked pointedly, "Why are you suddenly leaving? Did someone pick on you?" Pearl shook her head. "No. I decided to leave myself. If I don't go now, Lila will kick me out anyway." Before Lila could say a word, Pearl pressed a hand to her abdomen. "I'm pregnant. I know Lila can't accept this baby, so I'll just go to the hospital and get rid of it right now!" She spun on her heels like she was about to run out the door. Dominic froze for a brief moment, then caught her around the waist. "Don't get rid of it!" he blurted, his lips actually trembling. "Pearl, this is my first child. Please, keep the baby." His voice grew softer as he continued, "I've always wanted a kid. I promise you, as long as you're willing to have this baby, I'll say yes to whatever you want. "Don't worry. You have me. I won't let anyone lay a finger on either of you." Lila stared wide-eyed at him, stunned. There was a time when she and Dominic had sat together talking about children, too. She remembered exactly what he'd said. "I hope it's a girl. She'll look like you and have my personality. That way, no one will dare bully her. If the baby is a boy, he can help me protect you after he grows up. Either way, Lila, the only person who'll ever carry my child is you." Lila had believed him. For a long time after that, she'd tortured herself with guilt over the baby she'd lost. But now, it was Pearl who was pregnant with his baby. Even though Lila had already decided to leave him, the realization still hit her like a blow to the chest. She pressed a hand to her chest and turned to go, but Pearl still wasn't done with her. "Lila, the baby's innocent. Please, I'm begging you. Let me have the baby, okay?" Lila let out a bitter laugh. But before she could answer, Dominic cut in with a cold snort. "Why are you asking her? This is our child. She's in no place to decide anything." Then, he turned to Lila, voice dropping into a tone that left no room for refusal. "From now on, you will be responsible for Pearl's meals. If anything happens to her or the baby, I'll hold you accountable." He paused, then added, "Don't overthink it. You're still going to be my wife. That isn't changing." Anger and disbelief crashed together inside Lila until she shook. "Dominic, do you really think I can't live without you? Is that why you think you can treat me like this? "Let me make this very clear for you! I'm not going to wait on her! I'd rather die than be the maid to your mistress!" Dominic's gaze darkened, his voice turning icy. "I'm not asking for your opinion. If you say no, think about the things your mother left you and the money I funneled into Wynn Group." The implication hit like a bolt of lightning. Lila's eyes grew wide. "Dominic, don't make me hate you!" He gave a mirthless laugh. "Do you think I don't hate you?" Lila froze. For a second, she almost asked what he meant. But then, she remembered she was leaving. Whatever twisted resentment he carried didn't matter anymore. The wedding was only two weeks away. At this point, she had no intention of creating fresh drama. "Fine," she said quietly. "I'll do it." Her compromise only fueled Pearl's arrogance. In the days that followed, Pearl came up with new ways to torment her. One moment, she was craving sour candy and demanded that Lila go out and buy a specific kind. When Lila brought it back, Pearl wrinkled her nose and said she didn't want it anymore. Then, she insisted on having homemade soup. Lila spent an hour in the kitchen, only for Pearl to push the bowl away as soon as it was served. "It smells disgusting. Take it away." Later, she complained that Lila's breathing was too loud and was giving her a headache. Nothing Lila did was right. Even when Lila did everything with care, Pearl still wasn't satisfied.