Chapter 3

I returned to the bedroom and began packing my personal belongings.

As evening fell, Nolan called, asking me to order a delivery service to send some documents for him.

Outside, the wind howled and snow swirled. I wrapped myself in a mink coat and ventured out personally.

Pushing open the restaurant door, I stumbled upon Nolan and Meadow sharing a toast.

My appearance caused the rowdy atmosphere in the restaurant to suddenly halt.

Nolan glanced at me sideways, clearly annoyed.

Others looked on with amusement, waiting for me to scream and throw a fit.

But to everyone's surprise, I wasn't angry at all.

Handing the documents to the man, I simply said:

"Could I borrow the car keys for a moment? I left something in your car."

Hearing this, Meadow pulled out a set of Porsche keys from her purse, stuck her tongue out at me, and said:

"I'm so sorry, sister-in-law~ I love sleeping in so much that I'm always late for work.

So Nolan gave me his car to drive."

"What sister-in-law? Don't call people that, silly girl."

Nolan gazed at Meadow adoringly as he wiped a drop of wine from the corner of her mouth.

Following the man's lead, I said:

"Mr. Sterling and I aren't married. Please don't misunderstand, Miss Bennett."As I finish speaking, I grab the keys and turn to leave, but Nolan unexpectedly grabs my arm, his face etched with confusion:

"Vivienne, ever since you got pregnant, the smell of alcohol makes you nauseous. How come today..."

Just as I'm about to respond, Meadow suddenly turns pale and clings to Nolan's arm:

"Big brother Nolan, you don't think Vivienne is going to the car to look for that pearl necklace, do you? Oh... but I, silly me, I've lost it. What are we going to do?"

The necklace Meadow mentions is a family heirloom from my grandmother.

I hear Nolan gently consoling Meadow, saying it's just a cheap necklace, and if it's lost, it's lost - no need to dwell on it.

I set down the car keys and look at Meadow, my face betraying no emotion:

"He's right. It's just a cheap necklace I've had for nine years. If you like it so much, consider it yours."

As I walk out of the restaurant about to hail a cab, the man catches up to me.

He shoves a takeout container of fish porridge into my hands, his tone condescending:

"Tomorrow's your prenatal check-up. I'll go with you."

I lie without hesitation:

"You've got the date wrong. The check-up is the day after tomorrow."

Nolan starts to argue, but then he catches sight of Meadow standing in the doorway of the restaurant.He immediately turned back, took her hand, and warmed it with his breath.

As I watched them return to the restaurant, I fed my fish porridge to a stray cat, being someone who never eats fish, then went home.

That night, the man didn't come home at all.

And I didn't call him even once.

At five in the afternoon, just as I put on my coat, Nolan suddenly came home and took me to his car.

Inside the Jis' family estate, Nolan led me to stand before his parents:

"Mom, Dad, this is Vivienne."

After years of a long-distance relationship, Nolan finally brought me to meet his parents.

But my reaction greatly disappointed him.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lee, I'm sorry but I have an urgent matter to attend to. Please excuse me for leaving."

As soon as I finished speaking, Nolan grabbed my wrist, squeezing it tightly.

"Mom, Dad, she's just joking with you. You can prepare dinner while I show her around."

The man forcibly pulled me up to the top floor bedroom, beginning what he called a tour.