Chapter 2

Elena POV

I stood alone at the end of the hospital corridor, ultrasound report in hand.

Despite the heavy smell of disinfectant, the air felt sweet for once.

Eight weeks pregnant. The heartbeat pulsed like a strong, vital seed.

I touched my still-flat stomach and couldn't help smiling.

The doctor's words still echoed in my ears.

"Miss Rivers, your body is in poor condition. Long-term exposure to chemical compounds has caused hormonal imbalances. This pregnancy is incredibly precious. You must stay calm and avoid any emotional extremes."

I carefully folded the ultrasound report and tucked it into my coat's inner pocket, right over my heart.

Today was my third wedding anniversary with Damien Cross. I couldn't wait to tell him this news in person.

Maybe for the baby's sake, he'd be a little nicer to me. Even just a little would be enough.

I took a cab to Cross Corporation headquarters.

The whole ride, I stared out the window at the passing streets, rehearsing over and over what I'd say when I saw him.

When I reached the executive floor, the office door wasn't fully closed. A thin gap remained.

I raised my hand to knock, but froze mid-motion.

Through the gap, I saw Lily White.

Lily wore a pure white silk dress. She was perched delicately on Damien's lap.

And that man who was always cold and distant with me was now bent over her, carefully applying ointment to her wrist with a medical cotton swab.

"Does it hurt?"

Damien's voice was low and husky, so gentle it could melt.

We'd been married for three years. Even when he exhausted me in bed, I'd never heard him use that tone.

Lily wrapped her arms around Damien's neck, her voice soft and sweet:

"A little. But with you here, it doesn't hurt so much anymore."

Standing outside the door, I felt my blood run cold. Even my fingertips went numb.

I pushed the door open. It made a soft sound.

Lily caught sight of me from the corner of her eye. She immediately jumped off Damien's lap like a startled rabbit and hid behind him.

"Damien, Elena's here... Did she misunderstand something? You should explain. My wrist injury just flared up and I came to get some medicine from you."

Damien looked up.

The moment he saw it was me, all the tenderness drained from his face. Only undisguised disgust and coldness remained.

"Who gave you permission to come in?"

He pulled out a tissue and slowly wiped his hands, as if he'd just touched something dirty.

I instinctively hid my hands behind my back and clutched the ultrasound report in my pocket so hard my knuckles turned white.

"Today is our wedding anniversary."

"Anniversary?"

Damien laughed like I'd told the funniest joke.

He picked up a thick document from his desk and threw it at my feet like garbage.

Papers scattered across the floor.

"Sign it."

I looked down at the top page.

In black and white, it read: Patent Transfer and Lifetime Ghostwriting Agreement.

"Lily's olfactory nerves have deteriorated again. The doctor says she might never be able to distinguish complex scent profiles anymore."

Damien lit a cigarette and looked at me through the pale smoke.

"Her solo fragrance exhibition is next month. Starting today, every formula you create goes under her name. You'll be her shadow."