Chapter 3

He stammered, "Tomorrow... tomorrow night."

I nodded without saying a word.

He noticed the easel in the corner of the living room:

"Didn't I tell you to stop painting? Why did you bring out the easel again?"

Four years ago, I had exhibited my paintings in his gallery.

Later, someone wanted to buy a painting but suddenly backed out at the last minute, criticizing my work as worthless.

Fitch then threw my paintings into storage.

"Outdated stuff isn't worth exhibiting!"

Afterwards, I had to hide it from the gallery and use the pen name Aria to continue exhibiting my work there.

After gaining some fame, I even insisted on exclusively showing my work in his gallery.

Looking back now, I was truly foolish.

Not only did I pour my heart and soul into it, but he also looked down on my work, passing judgment on me arbitrarily.

I spoke calmly, "I'll take it away tomorrow."

He grunted, "Your painting skills are poor, these things are just taking up space."

After a pause, he seemed a bit rushed to leave:

"I came back to grab something, I have plans tonight, so get to bed early yourself."

I nodded, "Okay."

He spoke to the housekeeper: "Did anyone deliver something today?"

"Yes, I put it in the shoe cabinet, it's really nice..."The servant's words had barely fallen when he erupted in furious reprimand:

"Who told you to take those out? Where's the packaging? Put them back."

The servant hurriedly opened the shoe cabinet.

Fitch came over, softening his voice:

"I bought those to give to a client. Mrs. Kerpan, you're being so thoughtless. How could you possibly wear high heels in your condition?"

I may not be able to walk, but that doesn't mean I don't have feet.

Besides, as a woman, I've always had a special fondness for high heels.

For today's opening ceremony, and for every important event in the past, I would dress up beautifully and wear high heels.

Not only to maintain his image, but also in anticipation of his public announcement, though it always ended in disappointment.

Those were a pair of luxury brand high heels, from a label famous for their stilettos.

I thought he had bought them for me, which is why I asked the servant to put them in the shoe cabinet. Turns out I was just being wishful.

I nodded: "Alright."

Perhaps surprised by how calm I'd been all day, he furrowed his brow slightly:

"Are you angry? Sapphire, the situation was special today, but whether I make an announcement or not, you're still my lawfully wedded wife. That fact will never change."

"I know. Don't you have something to attend to? Go ahead."

Fitch left in a hurry. In a rush, I accidentally kicked over the high heels I had left by the door - the ones I'd worn to the opening ceremony.

The maid approached me, frowning as she spoke:

"Ma'am, weren't those shoes a wedding anniversary gift from your husband?"

I mumbled, "Wedding anniversary?"

"Yes, don't you remember? I've seen your wedding video with your husband, and it's definitely today."

That's when I realized the maid was referring to his wedding with Xanthe four years ago.

The video she mentioned was a pre-recorded warm-up video that had been edited for the occasion. It featured Fitch and me.

Unfortunately, it was pulled at the last minute and never shown at the actual wedding.

I smiled bitterly, "We didn't have a wedding."

The maid looked puzzled, "That's impossible. I remember the video had lots of childhood photos of you and your husband, and even a little animation welcoming the guests."

I felt a deep sadness. Even though we were the real married couple, including the wedding, that made thirty times in total that he refused to tell everyone I was his true bride.

"Mrs. Kerpan, please take down all the wedding photos in the house and burn them."