Chapter 3

"I can remove it right away if it's causing you distress," Betty said, her eyes red and wet with tears as she gazed up at me. Her shaky hands moved to undo the zipper of the wedding gown.

Concerned she might accidentally harm the dress my mother had meticulously crafted, I moved closer.

"Let me assist you," I offered gently.

Betty looked at me as I positioned myself behind her, her eyes briefly flickering before she unexpectedly lost her balance.

In front of her was a small stage, roughly half a meter tall, temporarily erected for photography purposes. She cried out as she toppled.

I reflexively tried to catch her but failed.

As Betty hit the floor, the jade necklace she wore snapped, scattering pieces all around.

I quickly knelt to gather the broken fragments, their sharp edges cutting into my cold, puffy fingers. Blood trickled from my hands, but I felt no physical discomfort—only an acute ache in my chest.

Clyde's eyes grew wide at the sight of my bloodied hands. He attempted to help me up, but I turned away, avoiding his gaze.

He paused, seeming about to speak, when Betty's voice cut in.

"Clyde, my abdomen is in agony... I'm worried about the baby's safety," she moaned, her face ashen with discomfort.

"It's your child... the one I worked so hard to conceive for you. Please, help me!"

Her words felt like a knife to my heart. Betty was carrying Clyde's baby. Given her flat stomach, she couldn't be more than three months along—a period that overlapped with what I thought was the happiest time of my life, when Clyde had agreed to marry me and we explored the world together.

Could it be that during our travels, he had secretly brought Betty along?

Clyde lifted Betty as if she were a delicate porcelain figure. His voice softened as he whispered, "Betty, how did you fall? Don't worry—I'll take you to the hospital immediately."

Betty clung to Clyde's arm, her teary eyes briefly meeting mine before quickly looking away in apparent shame. She buried her face against Clyde's chest.

Clyde's gaze turned cold as he looked at me, now holding Betty protectively. His tone was harsh and accusatory.

"Angela, it's just some jade jewelry. Was it necessary to shove Betty because of it?"

"If you have any issues, take them up with me. Betty and the child she's carrying are blameless."

"If anything happens to her, I promise you'll live to regret it."

I wordlessly shook my head, indicating I hadn't pushed Betty, but the lump in my throat prevented me from speaking. My heart felt like it was breaking into pieces.

Clyde's eyes bore into mine, filled with rage. "I saw it with my own eyes, Angela. How could I be mistaken? You were behind Betty, and she fell."

Betty tugged at Clyde's sleeve, her voice quavering. "Clyde, forget about it. It's my fault. I shouldn't have worn Angela's wedding dress or her jade jewelry. I shouldn't have touched things that aren't mine."

"Even though I've never been around such luxury, I can tell this wedding dress must be worth millions, and the jade jewelry tens of millions. Someone like me has no right to handle such expensive items."

Clyde held Betty even closer, his voice gentling. "My sweet Betty, you'll have everything in the future. With me by your side, you needn't worry about anything."

He turned back to glare at me, his tone biting. "I brought her into this world. I won't allow anyone to mistreat her just because they think their wealth gives them the right."