Chapter 5

Elara's POV

The Hilton hotel's top-floor ballroom was brilliantly lit.

The birthday party Ethan prepared for me was massive, inviting nearly half of New York's elite.

I wore that unremarkable black dress, my thick bangs and glasses obscuring my face as always, standing beside Ethan like a mismatched shadow.

I could feel gazes from all directions, curious, probing, and mostly undisguised contempt and snickering.

"What was Mr. Sterling thinking, marrying someone like..."

"She really is so ugly. Mr. Sterling is so outstanding. Why would he marry her?"

"Who knows? Maybe... unique taste?"

The scattered comments buzzed like mosquitoes, drilling into my ears.

I kept my back straight, my expression blank, as if I heard nothing.

Soon after the party began, Ethan publicly gave me a gift, an expensive diamond necklace.

When the velvet box opened, gasps and envious sounds rippled through the crowd.

"Thank you," I accepted it, my voice flat.

Serena arrived a bit later.

The moment she appeared, she drew everyone's attention. In her champagne dress with exquisite makeup and an elegant smile, she seemed like tonight's true protagonist.

"Sorry I'm late." Serena walked up to me, her tone sincere. "I didn't have time to prepare a gift. Don't be upset, Mrs. Sterling. Let me play a piece to wish you happy birthday."

Then she smiled at Ethan. "Ethan, I remember you play piano beautifully too. How about we play a duet? Consider it entertainment for Mrs. Sterling's birthday. What do you say?"

The guests started cheering.

"Yes!"

"Miss Hayes and Mr. Sterling are such a perfect match!"

"Exactly, they look like a real couple."

Ethan looked at Serena's expectant eyes, glanced at silent me beside him, hesitated briefly, then actually walked over.

A harmonious duet began, a four-hands version of "Für Elise." The man cool and noble, the woman bright and moving, sitting together like a perfect painting.

The surrounding comments grew louder, this time with less pretense of discretion.

"Now that's a perfect match..."

"If only Mr. Sterling had married Miss Hayes."

"Such a shame..."

"That Elara Winters is really... taking up space. Someone so ugly actually married New York's most outstanding heir. What a waste."

Each comment was like a poisoned needle, densely piercing my heart.

I stood there, feeling the air around me growing thinner, those gazes and words nearly drowning me.

I turned and went to the balcony.

The night breeze was cool, dispersing the suffocating warmth and noise from the ballroom.

I leaned against the balcony railing, took a deep breath, then slowly released it.

Light footsteps sounded behind me. Then a warm body pressed close, arms wrapping around my waist from behind.

My body stiffened.

"Why did you come out here alone?" Ethan's deep voice spoke near my ear. "Don't take those people's words to heart. They're just boring gossip."

I didn't move or speak.

Ethan seemed to think I was still upset. His chin gently rubbed the top of my head, his tone softening further with a coaxing quality. "Elara, I've told you, you're wonderful. You don't need to care what others think of you. As long as I like you, that's enough."

Like?

I almost laughed coldly.

What did he like about me?

Did he like using me as a tool to defy his family? Or like using me as a foil for his devotion to Serena?

Ethan probably felt verbal comfort wasn't enough. Seeing my continued silence, he suddenly turned his head and unexpectedly kissed my neck.

The warm, soft sensation came. My whole body trembled, instinctively about to push him away.

Just then.

"Bang!"

The glass balcony door was suddenly pushed open.

Serena stood in the doorway, her face still wearing a smile she hadn't had time to hide. Seeing us embracing, especially Ethan's kiss on my neck, her smile instantly froze. Her face paled slightly, her eyes quickly misting over.

"Sorry, I'm interrupting."

Her voice was somewhat choked. After speaking, she turned and ran off, her retreating figure looking somewhat disheveled.

Ethan immediately let go of me, his expression clearly changing, his eyes following Serena's disappearing direction with obvious worry and a hint of struggle.