Sebastian gave a small nod.

Liam let out a faint smile before walking off to give the couple-putting on a perfect show for the world-their space.

As Liam left, Sebastian glanced at Elaria's outfit, his brows knitting slightly. "Why are you dressed like that? Go change. We're heading to the house for dinner later."

Dinner, in this context, meant putting on their fake marital bliss. Just another performance for Mr. Richards and the shares he held.

Sometimes, Elaria thought Sebastian was a walking contradiction. He had the face of a gentleman, but deep down? Ruthless to the bone. He was built for the game of power and profit.

That was fine. She'd cooperate-up until their asset split was done. Everything, for now, revolved around mutual gain.

She changed into a formal outfit in her office and joined Sebastian in their private elevator.

No one else was inside.

Sebastian checked the time, tone neutral: "After talking with Liam, I figured you would've dropped the divorce idea. Today's one of your fertile days. Get ready when we get back. I'll try to make it quick if that's what you want."

Elaria gave a small laugh, bitter and self-deprecating.

Even when talking about having a baby, he sounded like he was discussing company logistics.

Four years. She'd put up with this kind of marriage for four damn years.

Her voice was colder than his now. "Same deal-I get half the estate, and you get your freedom."

Sebastian's face sank slightly, clearly annoyed, just as the elevator jolted to a stop.

The doors slid open.

Standing outside was a young woman in a white dress, looking innocent and sweet.

Bianca.

She stepped in lightly, looking nervous as she asked, "The staff elevator's down. Ms. Grace, would it be alright if I used this one?"

Three people. But there was only tension between two of them.

Elaria silently pressed the door button, saying nothing.

But her meaning couldn't have been clearer.

Bianca's face flushed red, embarrassment written all over her. She bit her lip and turned pleading eyes to Sebastian, hoping he'd speak up for her.

Sebastian, instead, replied calmly, "Let Ms. Grace decide."

Crushed, Bianca stepped back out.

The moment passed, but it left a bad taste in Elaria's mouth.

Not a word was spoken until they were in the car. Buckling his seatbelt, Sebastian casually said, "There's nothing between me and her. You're reading too much into it."

Elaria turned to look at him, her tone calm, her eyes unreadable.

"Got worried about her now?"

"Sebastian, I seriously think you should get a checkup."

He thought she meant for fertility, and said matter-of-factly, "There's nothing wrong with my fertility."

Elaria scoffed, her voice laced with mockery. "I meant go to a clinic and make sure you didn't pick up anything nasty from your hookups."

That hit a nerve.

He yanked off his seatbelt and hauled her onto his lap. Good thing the Bentley had a roomy driver's seat-he didn't have to hold back.

Elaria was shoved up against the steering wheel, the hard edge digging into her back.

"You lost it?!" she shouted, struggling against him.

This man-her cold, distant husband-was all over her now, despite always playing saint. Furious, she twisted his hair hard enough to rip it out by the roots.

That made him pause.

He looked up at her under the parking garage lights, lashes casting shadows on his sharp face. For a split second, there was something soft in his gaze, almost... tender.

It made her freeze.

And then he grabbed the back of her neck and kissed her fiercely. Not just kissed-his teeth sank down on her tongue, breaking the skin.

Blood mixed with lust.

Stunned, she stared at his face-so close, so handsome. Disgust flashed in her eyes, sharp and clear.

Still leaning in, Sebastian caught his breath, voice rough and restrained. "So, am I clean enough for you, Mrs. Richards?"

Elaria shoved him off, hard. She climbed back into the front passenger seat, hands trembling as she straightened out her outfit. Her chest was still rising and falling sharply from Sebastian' sudden aggressiveness. That rush of unfamiliar desire unsettled her, but Elaria did her best to maintain a calm facade. "Don't worry, I'll ask my assistant to schedule the check-up."

Sebastian had been aroused too, but Elaria's distant expression killed the mood quickly. He clicked his seatbelt into place and stepped on the gas without saying a word.

His phone buzzed constantly during the ride-at least a dozen missed calls lit up the screen. Elaria guessed it was Bianca. Since she had already decided on divorce, she didn't bother asking.

Sebastian glanced sideways at her.

*****

Half an hour later, the sleek black Bentley rolled slowly into a sprawling estate.

When they arrived, Sebastian gave his phone a quick look and said flatly, "Work stuff."

Elaria didn't respond.

Annoyed, he looked like he was about to say something-only to be interrupted as the butler opened the car door with a smile. "Mr. Richards, everyone's inside waiting for you and Mrs. Richards. The family dinner's about to start."

Sebastian nodded politely, even reaching out to hold Elaria's hand, playing the loving husband to perfection.

To her, it felt hollow.

They entered the dining room side by side.

Mr. Richards had two sons-Anthony Richards, the eldest, and Charles Richards, Sebastian's father.

The large round dining table was packed. Mr. Richards must have heard rumors about Bianca. He gave Sebastian a few subtle jabs before turning to Elaria with vague platitudes about compromise and staying united. But really, he just wanted great-grandkids.

Sebastian glanced over at Elaria and joked lightly, "Guess we better get to work on that tonight."

The old man frowned. "Four years married and not a thing to show-some effort that was!"

Sebastian brushed it off with a few smooth words.

Elaria kept her eyes on her plate, nibbling on food with a calm face. No one knew she was almost infertile-because of Sebastian.

Right then, his phone buzzed again. Without a word, he stepped into the front yard to answer it. From his tone, it was pretty obvious it wasn't work-related.

A piece of fish landed in Elaria's bowl.

Mr. Richards spoke slowly, his voice laced with unspoken meaning. "Men are like cats, easily tempted. But they do settle down eventually."

Elaria didn't even flinch. "Sure-after you've got them stuffed and mounted."

One of the maids let out a snort of laughter.

Feeling stifled, Elaria left the table early to take a breather out back.

By the pool, under the cold moonlight, a tall figure stepped into the glow. He looked a bit like Sebastian-his cousin, Daniel Richards.

Daniel always held a grudge against Elaria. She was the reason he lost so badly.

And with Sebastian tangled up in an affair, Daniel was more than happy to fan the flames.

He handed her a stack of photos-all of Sebastian and Bianca looking way too cozy.

A cold smirk curled Daniel's lips. "Recognize her?"

"She's Bianca. Father's Clarence Thompson-the painter. Big name. Her mom and Sebastian's mom go way back too. You? You're just some orphan. What chance do you think you have against her? Better watch out or you'll get chewed up and spat out by that wolf... But it's not too late to partner up with me."

Elaria flipped through the pictures, then casually tossed them in a nearby trash bin.

She looked up at this man she'd sparred with so many times before, her tone light and breezy. "Thanks for the warning-but I can handle it."

Daniel snorted. "I'll be waiting to see him toss you aside."

Elaria gave a small, relaxed smile.

What Daniel didn't know was-she didn't care anymore. She didn't plan to keep Sebastian either.

This fake marriage was hanging on by threads until the deal was done. Once she had what she wanted-money and the shares-Sebastian would be just another chapter closed. Love, hate, none of that would matter.

Elaria turned toward the hall again.

And then she saw him.

Sebastian stood silently under the corridor light.

In that glow, his sharp features and polished elegance gave him the look of a man born to rule.

That face... used to make her heart race. Used to pull her in deeper and deeper.

Now, his eyes were darker than the night itself.

It was nine in the evening when they left the Richards estate.

Sebastian clicked his seatbelt and casually asked, "What were you and Daniel chatting about just now? Looked like you were really hitting it off."

Elaria let out a quiet "Mm" and replied, "Oh, we were discussing your childhood sweetheart."

Sebastian went quiet.

After a moment, he reached over and gently held her hand, his voice softer than usual. "I've never slept with her."

Leaning back against the seat, Elaria stared ahead, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

She knew better. That rare glimpse of tenderness from Sebastian only showed up when she was in her most fertile window-he just wanted a child.

It had nothing to do with love, and even less to do with her.

Deep down, she really wondered-if Sebastian found out she couldn't have kids anymore, would he still try to keep her, or sprint into a divorce just to find someone "worthy" of being Mrs. Richards?

Tonight, Sebastian was putting in uncommon effort, closing the distance between them, trying to draw her in.

And Elaria? She couldn't feel more pathetic.

Her husband didn't love her-only saw her as a breeding and business machine. He clearly had zero interest in intimacy with her but still made sure they slept together like clockwork, just to conceive.

It felt no different than being reduced to instinct-driven animals.

She turned her face away from his kiss, her voice hoarse, tinged with a sorrow she couldn't hide. "Sebastian, I meant it when I said I want a divorce. If you think I'm asking for too much, we can negotiate."

Inside the dim car, Sebastian stared at her like he was trying to see through every inch of her.

After a long silence, his tone went cold.

"I've told you-we're not getting divorced."

"Elaria, everything'll be fine once we have a kid. You won't be in your head so much."

She quietly shut her eyes, drained. "Sebastian... what if I can't have children anymore?"

He frowned like it was the most ridiculous thought. "That's impossible. We both did pre-marital checkups, remember?"

Elaria gave a bitter smile.

That four-year-old report? Might as well be trash now.

Just like his proposal back then-already buried somewhere between broken promises and another woman's arms.

Back at Imperial Crest Residences, it was nearly ten.

Sebastian took a shower in the guest room. He had probably planned to coax her into bed tonight, but a call came and he left in a hurry.

Elaria didn't even flinch. She figured he was off to see his lover.

Whatever. At least she didn't have to put up with him tonight.

That night, he never came back.

The lights at Imperial Crest stayed on all night, but the man of the house never returned.

Over the next week, Sebastian wasn't home once.

He never brought up divorce again.

And those chilly autumn nights-what was Elaria doing?

She often stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in their bedroom, gazing out at the sycamore leaves starting to turn yellow, thinking...

If she hadn't quit painting early, hadn't rushed into marriage, hadn't dived into the business world too soon-maybe, just maybe, she'd be living a much happier life now.

As for Sebastian? She didn't call him. He might as well be out there, dead to her.

After days apart, they finally saw each other again-at a business dinner.

*****

[Eclat Haven]

Caelmoor's most upscale business club.

Elaria had barely walked into the private room when she spotted Bianca pressed up close to Sebastian, playing the doting damsel.

As soon as Bianca saw her, she looked down at her phone, pretending Elaria didn't even exist.

Annie looked pissed, ready to snap.

Elaria stopped her with a light touch, her tone flat, "She's Sebastian's latest obsession-let's just play along for now."There wasn't an open seat near Sebastian, and Elaria had no intention of joining his little entourage, so she simply excused herself and went to the restroom, giving him enough time to deal with his precious sidepiece.

The washroom sparkled under the crystal lights.

While rinsing her hands, Elaria suddenly heard the clack of heels behind her.

She glanced up and saw Bianca's reflection in the mirror.

Bianca stepped closer, nowhere near her usual respectful self, voice laced with smugness and challenge. "I moved back into the villa. Sebastian said I can stay as long as I want."

Elaria turned off the tap.

She calmly studied Bianca's youthful, doll-like face in the mirror.

Fresh and innocent-Bianca could sell that image all day. Not like her, face showing traces of long nights and business meetings. Funny, she was only twenty-six.

Elaria looked down, slowly twisting her wedding ring around her finger, her tone light. "If I were you, Miss Thompson, I'd learn to play the part of a quiet, well-fed canary. Stop making noise, cling to his neck when you want something, and spare the world the awkward details of what happens between the sheets. Also, this kind of event? Not really your crowd."

Bianca smirked. "Sebastian won't let me drink. He's protective of me."

"Is that so?" Elaria's smile didn't reach her eyes. "You might want to know this-Sebastian worships one thing: money. He knows exactly where women stand in his priority list. Give it five minutes-if that glass had poison instead of wine, he'd still probably hand it to you with a smile."

Bianca paled. "I don't believe you."

The curve of Elaria's smile faded a bit more.

When Bianca left, Elaria stared at her own reflection, dazed. Even she found her earlier bluff laughable. She knew well-if she made the effort, she could stay Mrs. Richards forever. But that's not the life or marriage she wanted.

Back at the private room, Sebastian's side was finally cleared. Elaria sat down gracefully, defaulting to their usual charade of the doting couple.

Bianca sat far off, eyes watery, trying her best to look pitiful.

Sebastian looked annoyed. "Was it really necessary to pick on her?"

Elaria didn't respond. He had no clue-every word he said in Bianca's defense felt like a stab. He cared when Bianca hurt, but what about her? The woman who'd stood by him through it all?

Yeah... what about her?

Her heart ached, but her face remained composed. With a smile, she suggested Bianca toast someone from the other firm-clearly a man who had a thing for Bianca's sweet-and-innocent act.

Bianca tried to squirm her way out of it, counting on her "position."

Under the glittering chandelier, Sebastian's striking face darkened-quiet, but charged, like a storm about to break.

He knew. Elaria was doing this on purpose.

Sebastian picked up his glass and looked at Elaria, though his words were aimed at Bianca. "Aurvista's project is a billion-dollar deal. Bianca, show Mr. Lee some courtesy."

Bianca didn't dare object anymore. Lips trembling, she murmured, "Okay."

As Bianca humbled herself and went over to drink with Mr. Lee, Elaria stayed seated beside Sebastian.

His expression was blank, while Elaria felt like the evil stepmother, watching herself snuff out whatever teenage fantasy love he'd once had.

For a second, they forgot they were once young lovers.

*****

Late at night in the underground parking garage.

Annie steadied Elaria as she opened the rear car door. "Watch your head, Ms. Grace. You drank a bit too much tonight."

Elaria held her forehead, muttering, "Just not in a great mood."

Annie got it. Sebastian had really gone too far today.The Aurvista Project had been Elaria's baby from day one. She handled everything-upfront planning, all the networking-it was all her. But tonight, Sebastian brought Bianca along like she had any right to be there. Anyone would be pissed.

And honestly? Seeing Bianca drink herself straight into the hospital? Felt oddly satisfying.

Just as Elaria was about to get into her car, a man's arm reached out and grabbed her wrist.

With a loud bang, her body slammed against the black SUV. The cold metal only made her look even more fragile and alone.

She took a few seconds to catch her breath from the pain, then looked up at her husband's stormy face and spoke quietly, "Annie, give us a minute."

Annie looked worried but didn't dare argue under Sebastian's sharp gaze. She whispered, "Ma'am's not feeling well."

Elaria's eyes stung, turning red.

After Annie reluctantly stepped away, Sebastian finally snapped. He stepped in on her, gripped her chin, and hissed through clenched teeth-

"Why the hell were you picking on her?"

"She had to be sent to the hospital for her stomach to get pumped."

"I've told you already-she's just a family friend. I'm only helping out a bit..."

Smack!

Elaria slapped him across the face. Her hand went numb from the impact, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably.

She stared at him, her voice icy. "Helping her straight into your bed? Tell me, Sebastian, are you flaunting your affair, or do you really think I'm that stupid?"

Sebastian's head turned with the force of the slap. Slowly, he turned back, tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek, eyes locked on her like she was his biggest threat. But his voice was eerily calm. "You that desperate for my love? Willing to lose it all?"

Elaria gave a dry laugh, echoing his words with scorn. "Don't flatter yourself."

Sebastian seemed to reel himself in.

Eventually, he reached out and gently touched her face. "Elaria, you've changed. You used to be obedient. Wasn't it nice, playing the perfect Mrs. Richards? Just have a baby, and your place would be secure. Why's that not enough for you? Why always fight me on everything?"

The night air was cold. Tears streamed down Elaria's cheeks, but she barely noticed.

"Back then?"

"So you know there's a 'back then'?"

"Sebastian, are we even still the same people from back then? Back then, you didn't have some girl hanging off you every time I turned around. Back then, you actually came home at night. Back then, you didn't time my ovulation like I was some baby-making machine."

"So tell me, who's changed? You, or me?"

Four years in the same bed, and now the masks were off.

Sebastian looked at Elaria without saying a word. This woman had walked beside him through the elite social scene for four years. But after a long pause, his eyes turned cold, like he'd made up his mind right then and there.

The night was silent.

It felt like mourning.

He let go of her and took a step back. "Starting tomorrow, you're off the Aurvista Project. As for your role at the company, I'll bring it to the board."

Elaria gave a bitter smile.

First sword out of its sheath-and he used it to cut her down.

The truth was, both Elaria and Sebastian knew-Bianca wasn't the only thing wedged between them. This wasn't just about another woman. Sebastian was burning the bridge behind him, trying to force Elaria back into the role of Mrs. Richards.

A full-time wife.

A child-bearer.

He wanted to keep her chained to him for life, using her love as the leash.

Love, children... In that moment, her grief broke through rage. It hit her all at once.

All these years, it had always just been her loving alone. Meeting Sebastian hadn't been fate-it was her biggest mistake.

She was done hiding.

She was done pretending.

Right now, she was going to tell Sebastian the truth.

She couldn't have children anymore.

Elaria knew the moment the truth came out, there'd be no going back with Sebastian. But when disappointment builds up to a breaking point, people stop second-guessing - they just let go.

She looked up at the man she once loved, ripped off the last bit of armor, and threw her pain right in front of him. Her voice was tired, hollow, like she'd run out of strength. "Sebastian, don't bother pretending anymore. I don't care about titles, not the job at Halden & Co., not even being your wife. None of it matters... because I can't have-"

She didn't even get to finish the word. Sebastian's phone vibrated.

He stared at her face as he picked up. On the other end, Ms. Woods sounded panicked. "Mr. Richards, it's urgent. Miss Thompson's in bad shape. You need to get here now."

"Got it," he replied crisply.

Hanging up, he barely looked at Elaria. "We'll talk later." Then without another word, he turned and walked straight to the black Rolls-Royce.

Elaria stayed rooted in place as the cold night wind cut through her.

At first, she whispered his name. Then she raised her voice. And finally, it came out like a scream torn from her soul. "Sebastian, you couldn't even spare me one freakin' minute? After four years of marriage, I'm not even worth finishing a sentence for?"

He had one hand on the car door. His tone was distant, clipped. "We'll talk when Bianca's out of danger."

Then the engine roared, and he was gone - just like that.

The night was cold, but nowhere near as cold as her heart.

Elaria stood silently, staring at the road he vanished down, and finally said the words she couldn't finish earlier. "Sebastian, I can't have children."

The wind howled.

She repeated it - louder. "Sebastian, I can't have children!"

Each time she said it, it was like stabbing herself with the broken pieces of her love for him. Like laughing at how foolishly she'd thrown herself into this marriage.

She gave him her youth, her everything - but it was never enough.

Her pain never mattered to him. It never had.

Something inside her snapped. Tonight, she didn't want to play the dutiful wife anymore. The title of "Mrs. Richards" had become a chain she was finally ready to break. By tomorrow, she'd just be Elaria. No one's wife. Just a woman finally living for herself.

She looked down at her outfit. What a joke.

It had been the perfect power suit for corporate events. Sebastian liked it on her at business dinners. But outside that world, he found it dull, boring. Now, even she couldn't stand wearing it. She had dressed for him, tried to be his kind of woman - for what? Some scraps of affection?

It was pathetic. She was done.

When Annie showed up, Elaria had already taken off her blazer. The smooth silk shirt beneath had two buttons undone, exposing a hint of porcelain skin. Her long black hair was loose, spilling across her shoulders. She leaned against the car, legs stretched, looking both fragile and alluring.

She turned her head slightly, voice soft. "Got a cigarette? I really want one."

Annie felt a sting behind her eyes.

She'd worked as Elaria's assistant for four years. She knew exactly how deep Elaria's love for Sebastian ran. And now that love had shattered - she'd never seen Elaria look so wrecked. Annie didn't have any cigarettes, but she rushed off to get some.

Elaria had never smoked before.

Her first drag choked her. She coughed, eyes watering.

But even as the smoke stung her throat and the tears fell, she smiled - a bitter, broken kind of smile. In every puff, she burned her love for Sebastian down to ashes, letting hatred carve deep into her bones, pierce through her heart...

*****

It was Elaria's first time letting loose.

Dim lights, heady air - it was all so beautifully ruined. Elaria was completely wasted-and honestly, she just didn't care anymore. Sebastian' opinions, the Richards family's so-called rules, all of it... meaningless now.

Slumped over the bar, she lazily tapped her glass to signal for another drink.

The bartender was about to respond when a slender hand pressed down on her glass. A tall figure slid onto the seat beside her.

It was Liam, the guy from Ashbridge Legal.

His sharp gaze lingered on Elaria, thoughtful, unreadable. She looked even more wild than last time-shirt slightly undone, revealing a hint of soft skin, sprawled over the bar like she had no bones.

Her skin was pale-striking in the dim light.

Liam's eyes darkened just a bit before he shrugged off his coat and gently draped it over her shoulders.

Startled, Elaria slowly tilted her head up to look at him.

Through the shifting neon lights, she locked eyes with him-deep, dark eyes that seemed to pull her into something bottomless.

"You've clearly had enough. I'm taking you home," Liam said, voice cool, keeping his distance.

Elaria leaned against the bar, staring hard at him. Liam noticed how her naturally sultry eyes-usually masked under proper outfits-were more noticeable now.

Her voice came out unsteady, totally different from her usual collected tone. "Who even are you? Why should I go with you?"

Trying to reason with a drunk woman? Pointless.

Liam pulled out his wallet and tossed down a stack of cash on the bar. Then, without waiting, he leaned in and scooped her up like it was nothing. Elaria tried to resist, but he held her legs down firmly, his tone sharp like he was dealing with a stubborn suspect.

"You want your face all over gossip sites tomorrow? Thought not. Then walk out of here with me. Now."

She had no choice but to stay in his arms.

Her head rested against the side of his neck-his skin was surprisingly warm, almost too warm-so she shifted slightly, pressing her cheek against his shoulder instead. The fabric of his shirt was cooler, more comforting, but she still grumbled, "Liam, put me down."

In the parking lot, city lights faded, only a scattering of stars left.

Liam looked down at Elaria, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. She recognized him-that much was obvious.

But he quickly shoved that thought away. She was Sebastian' wife. Not someone he could mess around with.

Five minutes later, he placed her gently in the back seat.

She leaned back into the leather, eyes closed, face pale-exhausted from the inside out.

Liam glanced at her, then pulled out his phone to call Sebastian.

Both numbers? Off.

Figures it had something to do with Bianca. Elaria wouldn't be drinking like this for no reason. Just as he started dialing Ms. Woods instead-

Elaria suddenly stirred.

She reached out and smacked the phone from his hand.

"I don't want to go home."

She tipped her head slightly, chest rising and falling rapidly. The soft blouse shifted with her breathing, her scent lingering in the closed air, faintly intoxicating.

Liam's Adam's apple bobbed once. Hard.

He turned away, staring at the fading glow of the skyline, then stole a glance back-Elaria seemed to have drifted off again.

He watched her silently for a beat... and stepped out of the car.

The night wrapped around them, quiet and dim.

Leaning against the front of the dark Range Rover, Liam's tall frame melded with the shadows. He lit a cigarette, shielding the flame from the wind.

Smoke curled upward, swallowed quickly by the breeze, softening the lines of his face.

Halfway through the cig, he turned his head slightly to look at her through the window.

She was glowing in the moonlight-those beautiful features, soft eyes with a hint of lingering sadness, the kind that just stayed with you.