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?

Chapter Six

Elena was having breakfast alone on Wednesday morning when Mrs. Kaelthorn walked into the house without knocking. She was wearing a white suit and diamonds, looking like she owned the world.

"Elena," Mrs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "Go get dressed. We have a charity event to attend."

Elena looked up from her coffee. "A charity event?"

"The Annual Children's Hospital Gala," Mrs. Kaelthorn said. "Tonight at the Grand Ballroom. You will attend as Jack's wife."

"I don't know if Jack wants me there," Elena said quietly.

Mrs. Kaelthorn smiled cruelly. "Jack doesn't know you're coming. But the Kaelthorn family must present a united front. People expect to see Jack's wife."

Elena felt trapped. "What should I wear?"

"Something simple," Mrs. Kaelthorn said dismissively. "You don't want to embarrass yourself by trying too hard."

That afternoon, Elena went through her closet looking for something appropriate. She chose a navy blue dress that was elegant but not flashy. She did her makeup carefully and styled her hair in a simple bun.

When Elena arrived at the Grand Ballroom, she was shocked by how beautiful everything looked. The room was decorated with white flowers and gold lights. Everyone was wearing expensive gowns and suits.

Elena saw Jack immediately. He was standing at the front of the room in a black tuxedo, looking handsome and powerful. But he wasn't alone.

Victoria was beside him, wearing a stunning gold dress that sparkled under the lights. She looked like a princess. Her hair was styled perfectly and her makeup was flawless.

Elena's heart sank. Victoria was Jack's date to the charity event.

"Elena!" Mrs. Kaelthorn appeared beside her. "Come. Let me introduce you to some people."

Mrs. Kaelthorn led Elena through the crowd. But instead of introducing Elena as Jack's wife, she introduced her as "the girl Jack felt sorry for."

"This is Elena," Mrs. Kaelthorn told a group of wealthy women. "You remember the orphan girl who saved Jack from that fire? He married her out of gratitude."

The women looked at Elena with pity and curiosity. Elena's face burned with embarrassment.

"How charitable of Jack," one woman said. "Not many men would marry out of obligation."

"Yes, well, Jack has always been too kind for his own good," Mrs. Kaelthorn replied. "But thankfully, he's found his way back to the appropriate company."

She pointed toward Victoria, who was laughing with a group of important business people.

"Victoria Ravencrest," Mrs. Kaelthorn continued. "From the shipping family. She's the kind of woman Jack should have married in the first place."

Elena wanted to disappear. Everyone was looking at her like she was a charity case herself.

The event started with speeches about helping sick children. Jack walked onto the stage and the crowd applauded. He looked confident and successful.

"Thank you all for coming tonight," Jack said into the microphone. "The Children's Hospital is close to my heart because I believe every child deserves a chance at life."

Elena felt tears coming. Jack talked about children like they were precious gifts. But he couldn't even look at Elena without disappointment because she couldn't give him any.

"Tonight, I want to thank someone very special," Jack continued. "Someone who has brought joy back into my life and reminds me what's truly important."

Elena's heart jumped. Was Jack going to mention her?

"Victoria Ravencrest," Jack said with a warm smile. "Please come up here."

Elena felt like she'd been punched. Jack called Victoria onto the stage in front of hundreds of people.

Victoria walked onto the stage gracefully. She looked like she belonged there. The crowd applauded loudly.

"Victoria has agreed to become the new chairwoman of our children's charity," Jack announced. "Her passion for helping others and her business experience make her perfect for this role."

Elena watched Jack look at Victoria with pride and admiration. He had never looked at Elena that way in public.

"Victoria will be working very closely with me on all future charity events," Jack continued. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather partner with."

Partner. Jack called Victoria his partner in front of everyone.

"Thank you, Jack," Victoria said into the microphone. "I'm honored to work with such an amazing man. Together, we're going to help so many children."

Together. They were a team now.

The crowd applauded again. Elena felt invisible standing in the back of the room.

After the speeches, people mingled and drank champagne. Elena tried to approach Jack, but he was surrounded by important people congratulating him and Victoria.

"Elena!" A familiar voice called out. Elena turned and saw three women from her wedding day. Jack's cousins' wives.

"We didn't expect to see you here," one of them said with fake sweetness.

"Jack's been so busy lately," another added. "We heard he's been spending time with Victoria Ravencrest. She's so accomplished."

"Yes," the third one said. "Victoria speaks five languages and has a business degree from Lysandria. Very impressive."

Elena nodded quietly, feeling smaller with every word.

"It must be hard for you," the first woman continued. "Being married to someone so successful when you come from nothing."

"I try my best," Elena said softly.

"Your best?" The second woman laughed. "Honey, your best isn't enough for a man like Jack. He needs someone who can match his level."

Elena felt tears starting but tried to hold them back.

"Look at Victoria," the third woman said, pointing across the room. "She's networking with the city's most powerful people. She knows how to handle herself in high society."

Elena looked over and saw Victoria surrounded by wealthy women, all laughing at her stories. Victoria fit in perfectly while Elena felt like an outsider.

"The Kaelthorn family deserves better," the first woman said bluntly.

"Excuse me," Elena whispered, walking away quickly.

Elena found a quiet corner where she could hide. She watched Jack and Victoria move through the party like the perfect couple. Everyone wanted to talk to them. Everyone admired them.

Mrs. Kaelthorn appeared beside Elena again. "See how well Victoria fits in? She's everything you're not."

"I know," Elena said quietly.

"Jack announced her as his partner tonight," Mrs. Kaelthorn continued. "In front of all the most important people in the city. Do you understand what that means?"

Elena understood. Jack was publicly choosing Victoria over her.

"This is your last warning," Mrs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "Divorce Jack before he divorces you. Save yourself the public humiliation."

Elena watched Jack dancing with Victoria on the dance floor. They moved together perfectly, like they had been partners their whole lives. Jack was smiling and laughing in a way Elena had never seen.

Other couples on the dance floor made space for them. Everyone could see that Jack and Victoria were the real power couple at the event.

Elena had never felt more alone. She was Jack's legal wife, but Victoria was the woman everyone accepted as his true partner.

Elena left the party early without saying goodbye to anyone. She drove home to their empty house and sat in their bedroom, still wearing her simple navy dress.

Elena looked at herself in the mirror. Next to Victoria's gold gown and perfect style, Elena looked plain and forgettable.

Her phone buzzed with social media notifications. Pictures from the charity event were already online. Photo after photo of Jack and Victoria looking perfect together.

The captions made Elena's heart break:

"Jack Kaelthorn and Victoria Ravencrest, the new power couple."

"Perfect match for Vaelthorne City's most eligible bachelor."

"Finally, Jack found someone worthy of him."

Not one photo included Elena. She had been completely erased from Jack's public life.

Elena turned off her phone and cried until she fell asleep on top of the expensive bedsheets that felt like ice.

Ten more days until Dr. Mortaine returned. But Elena was starting to think it wouldn't matter. Jack had already chosen his real wife in front of the entire city.

And it wasn't Elena.