Chapter 3

I stood there, stunned, unable to believe what I was hearing, murmuring:

“*I’m* defaming her?”

I thought that by revealing the truth, Julian would see the error of his ways.

I never imagined he would turn around and accuse me of lying.

Skylar feigned sorrow, rising from the floor with a tearful sniffle:

“Julian, I… I truly only have you, my one man…”

Julian gently comforted her:

“I know, I know!”

Skylar continued to sob.

“Sister isn’t willing to accept this child. If born, it won’t be wanted, and its future will surely be bleak. If that’s the case, I might as well just die with the baby!”

With that, Skylar suddenly spun around, rushing towards the wall, intent on colliding with it.

This sudden move startled both Julian and me, leaving us aghast.

Fortunately, Julian managed to stop Skylar in time, but then he furiously turned, glaring at me.

“Elara! Skylar just wanted to help us have a child, what has she done wrong? Why must you complicate things? What will it take for you to accept Skylar, to accept this child?!”

Julian’s voice trembled with rage.

Hearing his words, I let out another scoff:

“Accept *them*? Hah! Julian, have you forgotten your vows? Have you forgotten when you promised one life, one love, never to part even in old age?”

After saying that, I glanced at Skylar, then tears I could no longer control streamed down my face as I glared at Julian.

“Yet now, you’re forcing me to accept another woman? Julian, what was our five years together? A joke?!”

A flicker of guilt crossed Julian’s eyes, and he was speechless for a moment:

“Elara, I…”

Skylar, nestled in Julian’s arms, opportunely feigned timidity:

“Sister, I never intended to contend with you for Julian. To me, he is like the distant moon, untouchable. I… I’m simply blessed to be able to fulfill Julian’s dream.”

Julian echoed her sentiment:

“Elara! My promises still stand. My bond with Skylar is pure; she will never shake the foundation of *our* relationship!”

“Pure? Pure enough to share a bed?”

“Julian, I don’t blame you for falling for someone else, but if it’s for this child, I can only tell you, the child isn’t yours…”

Julian furiously cut me off:

“Enough! Elara, just because you can’t have children, you’re trying to push the blame on me, aren’t you?”

“This child, whether you accept it or not, *will* be born.”

He turned and took Skylar’s hand, “Skylar, let’s go!”

Julian finished speaking, then pulled Skylar past me and headed towards the second floor of the mansion.

I watched Julian’s retreating back with profound disappointment, a subtle ache in my heart:

“Julian, are you truly determined to keep this child?”

Julian’s ascent up the stairs faltered for a moment, but he didn’t look back, only stating firmly:

“Yes!”

In that moment, my hope utterly shattered. I nodded, saying:

“Fine, then I’ll grant you your wish!”

Julian immediately turned around, a relieved expression on his face:

“Elara, I knew you’d understand me. Honestly, Skylar will be separated from her child after birth, so she’ll be far more upset than you. It’s wonderful that you’ve come to your senses!”

Then, he turned to Skylar with a delighted smile:

“Come on, I’ll show you to the room!”

As they went upstairs, Skylar feigned a stumble. Julian quickly scooped her up in a princess carry, dotingly saying:

“Be careful!” Then, he carried Skylar upstairs.

I pulled myself from my memories, gazing at the raven in the cage. After a long moment, I finally let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Then I pulled out my phone. After a brief hesitation, I dialed a number.

“Grandma, I’m coming back to the village tomorrow…”