Chapter 3

She was particularly anxious, knocking on one bathroom stall door after another, as if terrified something might have happened to me.

"I'm here," I called out. After wiping away my tears, I approached my mother with red eyes. She was surprised by my appearance and touched my cheek. "What's wrong? Who upset my darling? Why are you crying? Can you talk to me about it?"

Her face looked the same as always, yet I felt a wave of nausea. "It's nothing, Mom. I probably just ate something bad, and my stomach feels a bit upset." I leaned on my mother's shoulder to hide the resentment in my eyes. She rubbed my head helplessly and took me back to the Ridgley family estate.

Vaughn had already heard the news and was waiting at the front door.

This man, who just two hours earlier had been touching another woman's belly, now held me tenderly and rubbed my abdomen. "Your mom told me your stomach was upset, so I rushed back to make you some soup. It's almost ready. Have some and then rest." Only then did I notice the apron tied around his waist.

If I hadn't seen everything at the hospital today, I would never imagine that Vaughn, who took care of me so meticulously in daily life, has always loved another woman.

When we got married, he even moved closer to my parents' home for my sake. He would call out my name in his dreams at midnight, yet he didn't love me. His heart belonged to Lizbeth. For her, he was willing to marry me and had put on an act for so many years.

I admired his acting skills.

After seating me on the sofa, Vaughn returned to the kitchen to continue cooking. My parents were both impressed by such a son-in-law.

I stared at a painting on the wall. I never understood why Vaughn insisted on hanging such an ugly painting in such a prominent spot. Now that my parents walked in and immediately went to that painting to reminisce about the person and the letter 'L' on it, I understood. The painter was important, so the painting had to be placed prominently.

"Dinner is ready." As all the dishes were served at the table, I belatedly realized that over all these years, Vaughn had been cooking dishes that weren't my favorites. For six years, I kept this doubt to myself, comforting myself by thinking these were Vaughn’s favorites, and that enduring this was my duty since he took such good care of me.

But now, I wondered if these really were his favorite dishes, or if they were Lizbeth’s favorites.

"Cecelia, what's wrong?" Vaughn asked with concern as he noticed my pale face and served me some food.

My mother paused before speaking up stiffly, "Seeing you two so happy puts us at ease, but I can't help but wonder..." The unspoken words referred to Lizbeth. Over the years, she would inadvertently mention her during happy moments. I felt guilty every time they mentioned this and felt grateful that they gave up their own daughter for me.

"We just hope she's not doing too poorly in Goldvale. As long as she's alive, it’s enough for us."

"Cecelia, don't blame your mom," Vaughn continued gently, "after all, Lizbeth is your mother’s own flesh and blood. Since Lizbeth has already paid a price for her actions, you should let go of the past."