Chapter 6

Natalie POV

Deep autumn in Los Angeles, the ocean breeze carried bone-chilling cold.

The annual top-tier charity gala was held at a hotel in Beverly Hills. Adrian forcibly brought me along to dispel rumors about our marriage falling apart.

I wore a black high-necked evening gown to hide the bruises on my neck from IV injections. My face was pale, like a soulless puppet, letting Adrian hold my hand as we walked the red carpet.

Camera flashes fired frantically.

"Mr. Sterling, we heard you nearly died in Switzerland saving Miss Lane. What does Mrs. Sterling think about this?"

"Mrs. Sterling, rumors say you haven't gotten pregnant in five years of marriage because of Mr. Sterling's physical condition. Is this true?"

The reporters' questions were like poisoned knives, each one extremely sharp.

Adrian's expression instantly darkened. His grip on my hand tightened sharply, squeezing my knuckles in warning.

The pain made me frown, but I lacked even the strength to struggle.

Just then, a commotion erupted from behind the crowd.

"Miss Lane has fainted!"

Adrian's whole body jolted. Almost reflexively, he released my hand.

Wearing four-inch heels, his forceful motion made me stumble several steps, nearly falling on the red carpet.

But Adrian didn't even glance at me, pushing through the crowd and rushing toward the back like a madman.

On the red carpet, only I remained, standing alone surrounded by countless cameras.

Whispers surged around me like a tide.

"See? She's Adrian's wife, but she still can't compare to his first love."

"I heard she goes to the hospital every day trying to have a baby, completely exhausting herself. If I were Mr. Sterling, I'd choose Sophie too."

"A woman who can't have children still occupying the position of Mrs. Sterling. How embarrassing."

Those socialites and wealthy women covered their mouths with fans, their eyes full of undisguised mockery and contempt.

I stood in place, nails digging deep into my palms. I didn't cry, just felt cold. A cold seeping from the marrow of my bones.

After the gala officially began, Adrian returned with Sophie.

Sophie had changed into a dazzling red gown, holding Adrian's arm as if she were the evening's protagonist.

The charity auction segment. A painting appeared on the big screen. A snow-capped mountain with a pair of embracing lovers at its peak.

This was painted five years ago by a local artist after Adrian and I were rescued from a mountain emergency. An anonymous buyer later purchased it. I never expected to see it here.

"Starting bid, one million." The auctioneer's gavel fell.

I raised my paddle. "Two million."

This was the last clean memory between Adrian and me. I wanted to buy it, then burn it with my own hands.

"Three million."

A sweet voice rang out.

I turned to see Sophie leaning against Adrian, smiling as she held up her paddle.

"Adrian, this painting is so beautiful. I want to hang it on the master bedroom wall." Sophie spoke coquettishly.

Adrian affectionately stroked her hair. "If you like it, buy it."

My fingers trembled slightly as I raised my paddle again. "Five million."

"Ten million." Adrian didn't even lift his eyelids, directly bidding for Sophie.

The entire room erupted.

Everyone looked at me with eyes watching a show. A husband publicly suppressing his own wife at an auction for another woman. This was the ultimate humiliation.

I stared intently at Adrian. "Adrian, that's my painting."

"Your painting?" Adrian laughed coldly, his eyes full of disdain. "Natalie, get it straight. Every dollar you're spending right now is mine. I'll spend my money on whoever I want."

He turned to the auctioneer. "Twenty million. This painting is mine."

The gavel fell. This painting no longer belonged to me.

Sophie smugly raised her eyebrow at me, then covered her head and leaned on Adrian's shoulder. "Adrian, I'm so dizzy. It's too stuffy inside."

"I'll take you back." Adrian immediately stood, carefully protecting Sophie as they walked out.

Passing by me, he paused, using a voice only the two of us could hear. "Natalie, stop embarrassing me. When the gala ends, get yourself back to New York."

With that, he escorted Sophie away, never looking back.

I sat in my seat, watching their departing backs, suddenly laughing out loud.

I laughed until tears fell. Under the stares of people looking at a madwoman, I picked up a glass of red wine from the table and drained it in one gulp.

Adrian, you won't even leave me the last bit of memory.

Fine. Just fine.