Chapter Two

Elena was still in her bedroom when she heard the sound of the car doors slamming in the driveway. Her heart dropped. She knew that sound. Mrs. Kaelthorn had arrived.

She quickly fixed her makeup and changed into a simple black dress. No jewelry or designer clothes. Jack's mother hated when Elena looked too fancy. She said it reminded everyone that Elena was just an orphan playing dress up.

Elena hurried downstairs just as the front door opened. Mrs. Vivienne Kaelthorn walked in like she owned the place. Which she basically did. She was wearing a white suit that probably cost more than a car and diamonds that sparkled like stars.

"Mrs. Kaelthorn," Elena said quietly. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Of course you didn't know," Mrs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "You were too busy embarrassing our family at the hospital."

The head butler, Marcus, appeared immediately. "Mrs. Kaelthorn, welcome. Shall I prepare tea in the sitting room?"

"Yes. The good china. And call the chef. I want a proper meal, not whatever simple food Elena usually eats."

Elena felt her cheeks burn. Mrs. Kaelthorn always made comments about Elena's simple tastes. How she preferred normal food over expensive dishes. How she was too common for the Kaelthorn family.

They walked to the formal dining room. Mrs. Kaelthorn sat in the head chair like a queen. Elena stood behind her own chair, waiting.

"Sit down," Mrs. Kaelthorn commanded.

Elena sat carefully, keeping her back straight and her hands in her lap.

"Actually, no. Stand up."

Elena stood up again, confused.

"You know what? Kneel down."

Elena's eyes widened. "Mother, I don't understand."

"Kneel. Down." Mrs. Kaelthorn's voice was ice cold. "You embarrassed my son today. You embarrassed our family name. You will kneel while I eat and explain yourself."

Elena felt tears starting, but she slowly got on her knees beside Mrs. Kaelthorn's chair. The marble floor was cold and hard against her knees.

"Good," Mrs. Kaelthorn smiled cruelly. "Now you're in the right position. This is where orphans belong."

The servants came in carrying silver trays. They set down expensive dishes in front of Mrs. Kaelthorn. Lobster, caviar, imported wine. They didn't even look at Elena kneeling on the floor.

"Eat," Mrs. Kaelthorn told the head maid. "Make sure the food is perfect. If it's not, fire the chef."

"Yes ma'am," the maid replied quietly.

Mrs. Kaelthorn took a bite of lobster and looked down at Elena. "Now. Tell me exactly what happened at the hospital."

"I went for my appointment with Dr. Mortaine," Elena said, her voice shaking. "But he had an emergency. Nerissa was rude to me."

"Nerissa was rude?" Mrs. Kaelthorn laughed. "Nerissa told me the truth. She said you acted like you deserved special treatment because you're married to my son."

"That's not what happened," Elena said. "I just wanted to see the doctor."

"Don't lie to me!" Mrs. Kaelthorn slammed her fork down. "Nerissa said you demanded to see the doctor immediately. You said Jack was expecting answers. You acted like you owned the hospital."

Elena shook her head. "I didn't say that. I was polite. I just asked when the doctor would be available."

"Nerissa also told me something very interesting," Mrs. Kaelthorn cut a piece of lobster slowly. "She said you started crying when she mentioned how Jack could have married anyone. Anyone with a real bloodline. Anyone who could actually give him children."

The words cut deep. Elena felt more tears coming.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you," Mrs. Kaelthorn snapped.

Elena looked up from the floor. Mrs. Kaelthorn was staring at her with pure disgust.

"Three years, Elena. Three years of marriage and you've given my son nothing. No children. No business connections. No social status, just nothing."

"I'm trying," Elena whispered. "The doctor has treatment options. I have an appointment Friday."

"Treatment options?" Mrs. Kaelthorn laughed bitterly. "Do you know how much money Jack has spent on your medical bills? Hundreds of thousands of dollars. For what? For more disappointment?"

Elena stayed quiet. She knew anything she said would make it worse.

"My friends ask me about grandchildren," Mrs. Kaelthorn continued. "What am I supposed to tell them? That my son married a barren orphan who can't do the one job women are supposed to do?"

"Please," Elena said softly. "I love Jack. I'm trying my best."

"Love?" Mrs. Kaelthorn nearly choked on her wine. "You think this is about love? This is about family. This is about carrying on the Kaelthorn name and most importantly this is about business."

She leaned forward and grabbed Elena's chin roughly. "Let me explain something to you. Jack didn't marry you for love. He married you because he felt guilty because you saved him. Because he's too soft-hearted for his own good."

Elena tried to pull away, but Mrs. Kaelthorn's grip was strong.

"But guilt doesn't last forever," Mrs. Kaelthorn said. "And Jack is starting to realize what a mistake he made. Do you know what he told me last week?"

Elena shook her head, scared to hear the answer.

"He said maybe it's time to consider other options. Maybe it's time to find someone who can actually give him what he needs."

Elena's world felt like it was crashing down. "He said that?"

"He said that," Mrs. Kaelthorn smiled cruelly. "So here's what's going to happen. You're going to go to your appointment Friday. If this doctor can't fix you, you're going to divorce my son. Quietly. Without causing any drama."

"I can't divorce Jack," Elena said desperately. "He's everything to me."

"And what are you to him?" Mrs. Kaelthorn asked. "A burden. A reminder of his mistake. An empty womb in an expensive dress."

The servants continued moving around the dining room, pretending not to hear. Elena knew they would gossip about this later. The whole staff would know that Mrs. Kaelthorn made Elena kneel on the floor.

"If you really love Jack," Mrs. Kaelthorn said, cutting another piece of lobster, "you'll let him go. You'll let him find a real wife. Someone from a good family. Someone who can give him children."

"But what about me?" Elena asked, her voice breaking. "Where will I go? I have no family. No money of my own."

"That's not my problem," Mrs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "You should have thought about that before you tricked my son into marriage."

"I didn't trick him!" Elena said, finally showing some spirit. "I saved his life! I risked everything to pull him out of that fire!"

Mrs. Kaelthorn's eyes flashed with anger. "And you've been using that one good deed to manipulate him ever since. Do you think saving someone's life gives you the right to ruin it?"

Elena felt like she'd been slapped. "I'm not ruining his life."

"Aren't you?" Mrs. Kaelthorn stood up and walked around Elena, who was still kneeling. "Jack is thirty years old. His friends all have children. His business partners ask why he doesn't have an heir. You've made him a laughingstock."

Elena closed her eyes, trying not to cry.

"Look at me," Mrs. Kaelthorn commanded.

Elena looked up.

"I'm going to make you an offer," Mrs. Kaelthorn said. "Divorce Jack voluntarily, and I'll give you enough money to start a new life somewhere far away. Refuse, and I'll make sure you have nothing. Not Jack, not money, not even a place to live."

Elena's heart was racing. "You can't do that."

"Can't I?" Mrs. Kaelthorn smiled coldly. "I own half the businesses in this city. I have friends in every important family. One word from me and you'll never find work anywhere in Aethermoor."

She sat back down and continued eating. "You have until Friday to decide. If the doctor can't fix your broken body, you'll sign the divorce papers I have prepared."

Elena felt defeated. "And if the treatment works? If I can have children?"

Mrs. Kaelthorn paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. "Then you'll have bought yourself a little more time. But Elena, let me be clear. I will never accept you as part of this family. Never."

She finished her meal in silence while Elena knelt on the cold marble floor. Every bite felt like an insult. Every sip of wine felt like a reminder that Elena didn't belong here.

Finally, Mrs. Kaelthorn stood up. "Clean yourself up before Jack gets home. He doesn't need to see you looking pathetic."

She walked toward the door, then turned back.

"Oh, and Elena? If you tell Jack about our conversation today, I'll make sure everyone in Vaelthorne City knows exactly what kind of woman you really are. The one who uses tragedy to trap wealthy men."

After she left, Elena stayed on the floor for a long time. The servants cleaned around her quietly. No one helped her up. No one offered comfort. She was truly alone in this big, expensive house.

When she finally stood up, her knees were bruised and her back ached. But the pain in her heart was much worse. Mrs. Kaelthorn was right about one thing. Elena had no choice. Friday would decide everything.

Either the doctor would save her marriage, or she would lose the only family she'd ever known. Either way, she was running out of time to prove she was worth more than just the orphan girl who got lucky.

Chapter Three

Elena woke up on the couch in the living room. She had fallen asleep there after crying all night about Mrs. Kaelthorn's visit. Her knees still hurt from kneeling on the marble floor.

She looked at the clock. Seven in the morning. Jack never came home last night.

Elena went to the kitchen to make coffee. Maybe Jack worked all night at the office again. Maybe he was avoiding her after hearing about the hospital incident. Either way, she felt more alone than ever.

She was pouring coffee when she heard car doors outside. Two car doors. Elena frowned. Jack always came home alone.

The front door opened and Elena heard voices. Jack's voice and a woman's laugh. A beautiful, musical laugh that made Elena's heart sink.

Elena walked to the entrance hall and froze.

Jack stood in the doorway with the most beautiful woman Elena had ever seen. She was tall and elegant with long black hair and perfect skin. She wore a designer white dress that probably cost more than Elena's car. Her jewelry was real diamonds.

But Elena recognized her immediately. Victoria Ravencrest. Jack's first love. The woman whose picture had been hanging in Jack's bedroom when they first got married. Elena had asked Jack to remove it, and he did, but not before Elena memorized every detail of that perfect face.

"Oh," Victoria said when she saw Elena. "You must be the wife."

Elena felt her heart break a little more. "I'm Elena."

"Right. Elena." Victoria looked her up and down with cold eyes. "Jack has told me so much about you."

Elena looked at Jack, hoping he would say something. Anything. But Jack wouldn't even look at her. He was staring at Victoria like Elena wasn't even there.

"Jack?" Elena said softly. "You didn't come home last night. I was worried."

Jack finally stared at her, but his eyes were cold. "I was busy."

That was it. No explanation or apology. Just cold indifference.

Victoria smiled sweetly, but her eyes were cruel. "Jack and I had so much catching up to do. We talked all night at his penthouse downtown."

Elena's world tilted. Jack had a penthouse downtown? She didn't even know about it.

"Penthouse?" Elena asked weakly.

"Oh, you don't know about it?" Victoria laughed. "Jack keeps it for business meetings. Very private business meetings."

The way she said "business meetings" made Elena feel sick.

Jack walked past Elena like she was invisible. "Victoria, let me show you the house."

Elena followed behind them like a ghost. She watched Jack smile at Victoria the way he had never smiled at her. She watched him laugh at Victoria's jokes. She watched him touch Victoria's arm gently when he pointed out different rooms.

"This house is beautiful, Jack," Victoria said. "Much better than that tiny apartment you had in college."

"You remember my apartment?" Jack asked with a real smile.

"Of course I remember," Victoria touched his hand. "I remember everything about us."

Elena felt tears coming. She tried to blink them away, but Victoria noticed.

"Oh no, Elena. Are you crying?" Victoria asked with fake concern. "Did I say something wrong?"

"I'm fine," Elena whispered.

"She's always emotional," Jack said dismissively. "Don't worry about it."

Elena felt like she'd been slapped. Jack had never talked about her like that before.

They moved to the living room. Jack sat next to Victoria on the couch. Elena sat across from them, feeling like an outsider in her own home.

"So Elena," Victoria said sweetly. "Jack tells me you can't have children. That must be so hard for you."

Elena's face burned with shame. Jack had discussed their private problems with Victoria?

"We're still trying," Elena said quietly.

"Still trying?" Victoria laughed. "After three years? Maybe it's time to accept reality."

Jack didn't defend Elena. He just sat there, nodding.

"I always knew I wanted children," Victoria continued. "That's one reason I came back to Vaelthorne City. I'm ready to settle down and start a family now that my modeling career is established."

"Your modeling career?" Elena asked, though she regretted it immediately.

"International modeling," Victoria said proudly. "Lysandria, Celestria, Valdoria. I was the face of five major campaigns last year alone. But family is more important than career, don't you think?"

Elena nodded, not trusting her voice.

"Of course, I could only settle down with the right man," Victoria looked at Jack meaningfully. "Someone from a good family. Someone successful. Someone who shares my values."

Jack smiled at her. "You always were ambitious."

"We always were a good match," Victoria corrected. "Our families have been friends for generations. Our parents always said we were perfect for each other."

Elena felt like she was disappearing. They talked about their past like she wasn't even there. Like she was just a piece of furniture.

"Remember our engagement party?" Victoria asked Jack. "Before I left for Lysandria?"

Elena's heart stopped. "Engagement party?"

Jack looked uncomfortable for the first time. "That was a long time ago."

"Not that long ago," Victoria smiled. "What was it, five years? We were so young and in love. If I hadn't gotten that modeling contract..."

She trailed off and looked at Elena with pity. "But things happen for a reason, don't you think?"

Linc appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Kaelthorn, breakfast is ready in the dining room."

"Perfect," Jack said. He offered his arm to Victoria. "Shall we?"

Victoria took his arm naturally, like she had done it a thousand times before. They walked toward the dining room together, talking quietly and laughing.

Elena followed behind like a servant.

In the dining room, Jack pulled out a chair for Victoria. The same chair Elena usually sat in. Victoria sat down gracefully, smoothing her perfect dress.

Jack sat at the head of the table. Elena stood awkwardly, not sure where to sit now.

"Elena, aren't you joining us?" Victoria asked sweetly.

Jack looked up like he had forgotten Elena was there. "Oh. Right. You can sit there." He pointed to a chair at the far end of the table. Away from both of them.

Elena sat down quietly. The servants brought out perfect breakfast dishes. Fresh fruit, imported pastries, the best coffee money could buy.

"This is delicious," Victoria said. "Much better than the food in Lysandria."

"You were in Lysandria?" Elena asked, trying to join the conversation.

"Lysandria, Celestria, Valdoria," Victoria said casually. "My father has businesses all over the countries. I was learning the family trade."

More business connections. More wealth. More everything Elena didn't have.

"The Ravencrest family owns shipping companies across three countries," Jack explained to Elena, though he was really talking to Victoria. "Very impressive empire."

"Not as impressive as what you've built here," Victoria said, touching Jack's hand lightly. "I've been reading about Kaelthorn Corporation in international newspapers. You've become quite powerful."

Jack's chest puffed up with pride. Elena had never seen him look so happy.

"Perhaps you'd like a tour of the company building later?" Jack suggested.

"I'd love that," Victoria smiled. "I'm very interested in seeing how you've expanded since I've been away."

Since she'd been away. Like she had a right to be involved. Like she belonged here.

Elena tried to eat, but everything tasted like cardboard. She watched Jack and Victoria talk about business, about mutual friends, about places Elena had never been and would never go.

"Elena, you're very quiet," Victoria said suddenly. "Don't you have any opinions about business? Or are you more interested in... other things?"

The question was a trap. If Elena said she was interested in business, Victoria would ask questions Elena couldn't answer. If she said she wasn't interested, she would look stupid.

"I support whatever makes Jack happy," Elena said carefully.

"How sweet," Victoria said, but her tone was mocking. "The supportive wife. How... traditional."

Jack didn't defend Elena. He didn't say anything at all.

After breakfast, Jack stood up. "Victoria, let me show you the gardens."

"I'd love to see them," Victoria said, standing gracefully.

They walked outside together, leaving Elena sitting alone at the table. Through the window, Elena watched Jack give Victoria a complete tour. He pointed out different flowers, explained the new fountain, and showed her the tennis court.

Elena had never gotten a tour. When she first moved in, Jack had just pointed her toward her room and left her to figure everything out herself.

But with Victoria, he was a good tour guide. Excited. He looked like a man showing off his home to someone who mattered.

Elena went upstairs to their bedroom and opened Jack's desk drawer. The silver picture frame was still there, but it was facing up now instead of face down. Victoria's beautiful face smiled up at Elena from the photo.

In the picture, Jack and Victoria were at some fancy party. Jack was wearing a tuxedo and Victoria wore a stunning gold dress. They looked perfect together. Like they were made for each other.

Elena had never looked that elegant. Had never fit into Jack's world the way Victoria obviously did.

She could hear them laughing outside. Real, genuine laughter. The kind of joy Elena had been trying to give Jack for three years but never could.

Elena sat on the bed and cried.

Victoria was everything Elena wasn't. Beautiful, educated, sophisticated, from the right family. She spoke five languages while Elena sometimes struggled with one. She had business degrees while Elena had barely graduated high school.

Most importantly, Victoria made Jack happy. Elena could see it in his face, hear it in his voice. This was the real Jack. The man Elena had fallen in love with but could never reach.

Elena looked at herself in the mirror. Next to Victoria, she looked like exactly what Mrs. Kaelthorn called her. A poor orphan playing dress up in expensive clothes.

Her phone buzzed. A text from Jack: "Taking Victoria to the office. Don't wait up for dinner."

Don't wait up. Like Elena was a child being told bedtime rules.

Elena turned off her phone and lay down on the bed. Tomorrow was Friday. Her appointment with Dr. Mortaine. Her last chance to save her marriage.

But looking at Jack with Victoria, Elena wondered if it was already too late. Maybe Jack had already made his choice. Maybe Victoria's return wasn't a coincidence.

Maybe Mrs. Kaelthorn was right. Maybe it was time for Elena to let go and let Jack be happy with someone who actually deserved him.

Elena closed her eyes and tried to stop crying. But the tears kept coming. Because deep down, she knew the truth.

Jack had never looked at Elena the way he looked at Victoria. Not once in their three years of marriage.

And he probably never would.

Chapter Four

Elena woke up on Friday morning with hope for the first time in days. Today was her appointment with Dr. Mortaine. Today she would finally get answers about the fertility treatments.

She dressed carefully in her best outfit. A navy blue dress that Jack had bought her for their first anniversary. She did her makeup perfectly and styled her hair. If the doctor had good news, she wanted to look her best when she told Jack.

Elena arrived at Thornwick Medical Center thirty minutes early. She sat in the waiting room, checking her phone every few minutes. Jack hadn't texted her since yesterday when he told her not to wait up for dinner.

At exactly ten o'clock, Elena walked to the reception desk.

"Good morning," she said to the receptionist. "I'm Elena Kaelthorn. I have an appointment with Dr. Mortaine at ten."

The receptionist looked confused. "Let me check the schedule." She typed on her computer. "I'm sorry Mrs. Kaelthorn, but Dr. Mortaine is not available today."

Elena's heart sank. "Not available? But we confirmed this appointment on Wednesday. This is very important."

"Let me get someone to help you," the receptionist said.

A few minutes later, the kind nurse from Wednesday appeared. It was Sarah, the young nurse who had been nice to Elena when Nerissa was being cruel.

"Mrs. Kaelthorn," Sarah said gently. "I'm so sorry. Dr. Mortaine had to leave yesterday evening for an emergency medical course in Astrallis. It's a very important fertility conference that could help with new treatments."

Elena felt like the world was crashing down. "When will he be back?"

"In two weeks time," Sarah said sadly. "I know this is disappointing. He really wanted to discuss your test results with you today."

"Two weeks?" Elena whispered. "But I need those results now. It's urgent."

"I understand," Sarah said. "But Dr. Mortaine specifically said he wanted to discuss your case personally. He doesn't trust anyone else with your treatment plan."

Elena sat down heavily in a chair. Two weeks felt like forever. Jack was already losing patience with her. Victoria Ravencrest was back in his life and Mrs. Kaelthorn was threatening her. How could she wait two more weeks?

"Is there anything you can tell me about the results?" Elena asked desperately.

"I'm sorry," Sarah shook her head. "Only Dr. Mortaine can discuss medical details. But please don't lose hope, Mrs. Kaelthorn. I saw how excited he was about your case."

Just then, Elena heard a familiar laugh behind her. A cold, cruel laugh that made her stomach turn.

"Well, well, well," Nerissa Thorne appeared from behind the reception desk. "Look who's back. The barren wife."

Elena's face went red. Other patients in the waiting room looked over.

"Let me guess," Nerissa continued loudly. "You're here for more false hope? More expensive tests that won't change anything?"

Elena stayed quiet. She remembered Mrs. Kaelthorn's warning. If Elena caused any trouble, it would get back to Jack's mother.

"Oh, you're not talking today?" Nerissa smiled cruelly. "Smart choice. I heard your husband brought home a real woman yesterday. Victoria Ravencrest. Now that's what a billionaire's wife should look like."

Elena's hands started shaking, but she didn't reply.

Sarah, the nice nurse, tried to interrupt. "Nerissa, please. Mrs. Kaelthorn is dealing with disappointing news already."

"Disappointing news?" Nerissa laughed. "Her whole life is disappointing news. Three years of marriage and still no children. Meanwhile, Victoria Ravencrest could probably get pregnant just by looking at Jack Kaelthorn."

Elena felt tears coming, but she blinked them back. She wouldn't give Nerissa the satisfaction.

"You know what I heard?" Nerissa leaned closer to Elena. "I heard Victoria is spending lots of time with Jack. Going to fancy restaurants. How does it feel knowing your husband prefers another woman's company?"

Elena clenched her fists but stayed silent.

"I also heard," Nerissa continued, "that Jack took Victoria to his office yesterday. Showed her around like she was already his new wife. Is that true, Elena?"

Still no response from Elena.

"Cat got your tongue?" Nerissa mocked. "Or are you finally learning your place? Finally understanding that you don't belong in Jack's world?"

"That's enough," Sarah the nurse said firmly. "Mrs. Kaelthorn doesn't deserve this treatment."

"Doesn't deserve it?" Nerissa laughed. "She doesn't deserve anything she has. The house, the cars, the jewelry. All of it belongs to Jack. And soon, it will belong to Victoria Ravencrest."

Elena stood up quickly. She couldn't listen to this anymore.

"Leaving so soon?" Nerissa called out. "Don't you want to hear more about how perfect Victoria is? How she has everything you don't?"

Elena walked toward the exit as fast as she could.

"Two weeks, Mrs. Kaelthorn!" Nerissa shouted after her. "Two more weeks of disappointment! But I bet Jack won't wait that long to make his choice!"

Elena burst through the doors into the parking lot. She sat in Jack's car and finally let the tears fall.

Two weeks. She had to wait two weeks to find out if there was any hope for her marriage. Two weeks of watching Jack fall in love with Victoria Ravencrest all over again. Two weeks of Mrs. Kaelthorn's threats and Nerissa's cruelty.

Elena drove home slowly. When she got home, she went straight to her bedroom. The silence in the house was deafening. Even the servants seemed to be avoiding her.

Elena went upstairs to her bedroom and closed the door. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her carefully applied makeup was ruined from crying. Her expensive dress looked wrinkled and sad.

Elena opened her jewelry box and looked at all the diamonds Jack had given her. Beautiful, expensive pieces that meant nothing because they weren't given with love.

She picked up her wedding ring and stared at it. Three small diamonds on a platinum band. It had seemed so beautiful on their wedding day. Now it felt like a chain.

Her phone buzzed with a WhatsApp message. Elena's heart stopped when she saw who sent it.

Victoria Ravencrest. She wondered how Victoria got her number.

Elena opened the message and immediately wished she hadn't. It was a photo of Jack, smiling broadly, wearing nothing but a white towel around his waist. He looked happy and relaxed in what appeared to be a hotel room.

Below the photo, Victoria had written: "Spend the night with me. Don't worry Elena, I am going to give him a healthy beautiful baby boy."

Elena's hands shook so badly she almost dropped the phone. The image burned into her mind. Jack looked happier in that photo than he had looked with Elena in three years of marriage.

Elena stared at the message until her vision blurred with tears. Victoria wasn't just taking Jack away from her. She was promising him the one thing Elena couldn't give him. A child.

Elena's phone rang immediately. Jack's name appeared on the screen.

"Hello?" Elena answered nervously.

"Elena, I'll be home late tonight," Jack said coldly. "I'm having dinner with Victoria and some business partners. Don't wait up."

"Jack, I went to the doctor today," Elena said quickly.

"And?" Jack sounded impatient.

"He's away for two weeks. I have to wait for my results."

There was silence on the other end.

"Jack? Are you there?"

"Two weeks," Jack said finally. "More delays and plenty disappointment."

"But the doctor is learning new treatments," Elena said desperately. "The nurse said he was excited about my case."

"Elena," Jack's voice was ice cold. "I'm tired of hearing about treatments and hope and possibilities. I want results. I want children which you can't give me."

Elena's heart broke. "I'm trying my best."

"Your best isn't good enough," Jack said harshly. "Maybe it's time we both accept you are barren."

The phone went dead.

Elena sat on the bed and cried harder than she ever had. Jack was giving up on her. He was falling in love with Victoria again.

Everything was falling apart.

Elena closed her eyes and tried to imagine a different life. A life where Jack loved her. A life where she could have children. A life where she wasn't the unwanted orphan girl who trapped a billionaire into marriage.

But when she opened her eyes, she was still in the same bedroom, wearing the same expensive jewelry that meant nothing, married to a man who was spending the night with another woman.

The image of Jack in that towel, smiling at Victoria, wouldn't leave her mind. Victoria's cruel message echoed in her head: "I am going to give him a healthy beautiful baby boy."

Two weeks felt like a lifetime. Elena wasn't sure she would survive that long, especially knowing that Jack was with Victoria every night.

But she had no choice. She had nowhere to go, no one to turn to, no money of her own.

All she could do was wait and hope that Dr. Mortaine would come back with a miracle.

Because without a miracle, Elena knew her marriage was over.