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.

Chapter Five

Elena spent the weekend alone in the house. Jack didn't come home Friday night or Saturday night. His text messages were short and cold. "Working late." "Don't wait up." "Busy with business meetings."

Elena knew he was with Victoria. The image of Jack in that hotel towel kept flashing in her mind.

By Monday morning, Elena couldn't stay in the house anymore. She decided to go shopping in the Goldenvale District, where all the expensive stores were. Maybe buying something pretty would make her feel better.

Elena parked Jack's car outside Luxoria, the most expensive boutique in Vaelthorne City. She had only been there once before, for their wedding dress shopping. Jack's mother had insisted Elena needed "proper clothes" for being a Kaelthorn wife.

Elena walked into the store and immediately felt out of place. The saleswomen looked at her with fake smiles. They remembered her as the orphan girl who married Jack Kaelthorn.

"Mrs. Kaelthorn," the store manager approached. "How lovely to see you. Are you looking for anything special today?"

"Yes, I am," Elena said quietly.

She walked through the store, looking at dresses. Everything was beautiful but what was the point of buying expensive clothes when Jack never noticed her anymore?

Elena was examining a blue dress when she heard familiar laughter from the front of the store. Her heart dropped.

That was Jack's voice and Victoria's musical laugh.

Elena hid behind a rack of clothes and watched through the gap. Jack walked into the store with Victoria on his arm. Victoria was wearing a stunning red dress and diamond earrings. She looked like a movie star.

"This is my favorite store in the city," Victoria said loudly. "They have the most beautiful things."

"Then we should buy you the most beautiful things," Jack replied with a smile.

Elena had never heard Jack talk like that. So warm and generous.

"Oh Jack, you're too good to me," Victoria said, touching his chest playfully.

The store manager rushed over immediately. "Mr. Kaelthorn! What an honor! And Miss Ravencrest, you look absolutely stunning!"

Even the staff treated Victoria better than they treated Elena.

"Victoria needs a complete wardrobe," Jack announced. "She's been living in Lysandria for years and doesn't have proper clothes for Vaelthorne City weather."

"Of course," the manager beamed. "We'll take excellent care of Miss Ravencrest."

Elena watched from behind the clothes rack as three saleswomen surrounded Victoria. They brought out the most expensive dresses in the store.

"This one would be perfect for you," a saleswoman gushed, holding up a black evening gown. "It's from the latest collection. Very exclusive."

"Try it on," Jack encouraged. "Price doesn't matter."

Elena felt sick. Jack had never told her price didn't matter. When Elena shopped, she always checked the price tags first.

Victoria disappeared into the fitting room. When she came out, Elena's breath caught. Victoria looked like a goddess in the black dress. Elegant and sophisticated and perfect.

"Beautiful," Jack said softly. His eyes were full of admiration.

"You think so?" Victoria spun around playfully. "I feel like a princess."

"You look like a queen," Jack replied.

Elena had to bite her lip to keep from crying out loud.

"We'll take it," Jack told the saleswoman.

"Excellent choice, Mr. Kaelthorn," the manager said. "Should I wrap it up?"

"Actually, let's get several dresses," Jack said. "Victoria needs options for different events."

For the next hour, Elena watched Jack buy Victoria a complete wardrobe. Dresses, shoes, jewelry, handbags. Everything Victoria wanted, Jack bought without question.

Elena counted at least five hundred thousand dollars worth of purchases. Money Jack had never spent on Elena in three years of marriage.

"This is so generous of you, Jack," Victoria said, kissing his cheek. "I don't know how to thank you."

"You don't need to thank me," Jack said. "You deserve beautiful things."

Elena felt like she was being stabbed in the heart. Jack had never said Elena deserved beautiful things.

"Actually," Victoria said suddenly, "I think I saw someone I know."

She walked directly toward Elena's hiding spot.

"Elena?" Victoria called out sweetly. "Is that you behind there?"

Elena had no choice but to come out. Her face was red with embarrassment.

"Victoria," Elena said quietly. "Jack. What a surprise."

"What are you doing here?" Jack asked coldly. He looked annoyed to see Elena.

"Just shopping," Elena said, holding up a simple blouse she had picked up. It cost two hundred dollars, but next to Victoria's purchases, it looked like nothing.

"How nice," Victoria smiled cruelly. "What a lovely... simple choice."

The saleswomen stared at Elena with pity. Everyone could see the difference between Elena's modest shopping and Victoria's luxury spree.

"Elena always shops so carefully," Jack said dismissively. "She's very... practical."

The way he said "practical" made it sound like an insult.

"Well, some of us have to be careful with money," Elena said quietly.

Jack's face went dark with anger. "Careful with money? You spend my money every day. At least Victoria appreciates what she's given."

Elena felt like she'd been slapped in public. The other customers were staring now.

"I'm sorry," Elena whispered. "I didn't mean anything."

"Victoria, are you ready to go?" Jack asked, completely ignoring Elena. "I made reservations at Le Château for lunch."

"I'd love that," Victoria said. "Elena, you should join us. Oh wait, did Jack make a reservation for three people?"

It was a trap. Elena knew Jack hadn't included her in his plans.

"I'm sure Elena has other things to do," Jack said coldly. "Don't you, Elena?"

Elena nodded, too hurt to speak.

"That's what I thought," Victoria smiled sweetly. "Well, have a lovely day, Elena. Try not to spend too much of Jack's money."

Jack handed his black credit card to the store manager. "Please have everything delivered to my penthouse downtown."

His penthouse. Not their house. Elena didn't even know the address.

Elena watched Jack sign the receipt. Five hundred thousand dollars with extra twenty. For one the shopping trip and the other one for a tip. More money than Elena had ever spent on herself in her entire life.

"Ready, beautiful?" Jack asked Victoria, offering his arm.

"Ready," Victoria said, taking his arm naturally.

They walked out of the store together, leaving Elena standing alone among the expensive clothes. The saleswomen looked at Elena with pity and embarrassment.

"Will you be purchasing anything today, Mrs. Kaelthorn?" the manager asked awkwardly.

Elena looked down at the simple blouse in her hands. Two hundred dollars that suddenly felt like stealing.

"No," Elena said quietly. "I changed my mind."

She walked out of the store as fast as she could. Outside, she saw Jack helping Victoria into his red Lamborghini. Victoria was laughing at something Jack said. They looked like the perfect couple.

Elena sat in Jack's other car and watched them drive away to their romantic lunch. She felt like the loneliest person in the world.

Her phone buzzed with another WhatsApp message from Victoria: "Thanks for not making a scene at the store. Jack was so happy today. Can't wait to spend his money on our future family."

Elena turned off her phone and drove home. The house felt bigger and emptier than ever.

In her bedroom, Elena looked at her own closet full of expensive clothes. But she realized something horrible. Jack had never enjoyed buying her these clothes. He had never smiled when she tried things on. He had never called her beautiful or said she deserved nice things.

Everything Elena owned was of duty, not love. Victoria got joy and romance and generosity but Elena got obligation and cold transactions.

Elena sat on her bed and cried. Thirteen more days until Dr. Mortaine came back. Thirteen more days of watching Jack fall deeper in love with Victoria.

Elena wasn't sure she could survive it. What can a poor girl do?