(Elara’s POV)

“Happy birthday to you…”

The song reached me the moment I stepped into the ballroom, cheerful and warm, floating above the soft clinking of glasses and bursts of laughter. I slowed instinctively, my breath catching as the scene before me came fully into view.

Under the glow of golden chandeliers stood my daughter.

Mila Vale.

She was at the center of the room, dressed in a pink gown that shimmered every time she moved. A tiny crystal crown rested on her curls, making her look like the princess she was.

For one fragile second, my lips almost curved into a smile.

Then I saw them.

Damien stood beside her, tall and composed in a black tailored suit with his first love; Vivienne Laurent.

My fingers tightened painfully around the small velvet box in my hand.

When had she come back?

Vivienne’s hand rested on Mila’s shoulder while Mila leaned into her, laughing brightly at something she whispered into her ear. The cameras flashing around them only made the image sharper.

The three of them looked perfect together.

Like a real family.

And me?

I suddenly felt like a stranger who had walked into the wrong celebration.

Just this morning, I had been at home decorating the dining room. Pink balloons, ribbons, candles… every little detail carefully prepared because I wanted Mila’s 5th birthday to be special.

I had baked her favorite chocolate cake from scratch even after burning my fingers taking it out of the oven and stayed awake the entire night finishing the handmade bracelet inside the velvet box I carried now.

At some point during the night, the nausea became unbearable again. I remembered sitting on the kitchen floor with one hand pressed against my stomach, waiting for the dizziness to pass before forcing myself back up.

I didn’t mind because tonight was supposed to be special. I wanted tonight to be intimate when I made the announcement.

Then my phone buzzed.

One message from Damien “Mila’s party will be held at Grand Crest Hotel. Don’t prepare anything at home.”

That was it.

No explanation, no apology, just another cold decision from the man I had spent years loving alone.

I remembered standing frozen in the kitchen afterward, staring at the untouched candles and decorations.

Yet, I still came… Because no matter how Damien treated me, Mila was still my daughter.

The music swelled louder as I forced myself further into the ballroom, ignoring the curious glances that landed on me.

I had barely looked at myself in the mirror before rushing here. I probably looked exhausted, haggard even. My hands shook as I caressed my grey dress.

A few guests frowned slightly, as though trying to figure out who I was.

“Maybe she’s one of the staff?”

“I think I’ve seen her with the little girl before…”

“Oh, maybe the nanny?”

The whispers spread quietly around me.

I lowered my gaze and walked toward an empty seat at the far side of the ballroom.

Damien noticed me first, but looked away with the same indifference he had always shown me… As though I didn’t exist.

A hollow ache spread through my chest. I should’ve been used to it by now.

Mila noticed me next.

For one brief second, recognition lit my daughter’s eyes. Then it disappeared.

Her small face shifted almost immediately before she turned away, avoiding my gaze completely.

As though she didn’t want to see me… My stomach twisted painfully.

Vivienne Laurent noticed the exchange instantly.

Her gaze slowly lifted toward me, and the moment recognition dawned in her eyes, a faint smile curved her lips.

Then she stepped even closer to Mila, one hand settling gently against her shoulder possessively.

Around them, voices buzzed excitedly.

“She’s so beautiful beside Mr Vale.”

“They really look perfect together.”

“I heard the Vale family already approves of her.”

“She’s definitely the soon-to-be Mrs Vale.”

Vivienne smiled gracefully at the compliments while camera flashes illuminated her beautiful face repeatedly.

My fingers tightened harder around the velvet box. Everything inside me was screaming to stand up… to walk over there, and remind them all who I was.

But I stayed seated, folding my trembling hands.

Then a familiar voice rose above the noise. Tristan Cole; one of Damien’s closest friends.

“Well, come on!” he called out with a grin. “The birthday girl should cut the cake with Mommy and Daddy!”

The room erupted instantly.

“Yes!”

“Mommy and Daddy with the birthday girl!”

Laughter echoed loudly through the ballroom.

My entire body went cold. Tristan knew exactly who I was to Damien and Mila.

And still— he humiliated me anyway. On purpose.

The photographer hurried forward excitedly.

“Mr Vale, Miss Laurent, closer please! Perfect! The three of you look amazing together!”

Mila beamed happily.

Vivienne smiled.

And Damien… he placed his hand over Vivienne’s as they helped Mila hold the cake knife together.

The cameras flashed rapidly.

“Mommy Vivienne, help me cut the biggest slice!” Mila laughed happily.

The words slammed into me so hard my hearing rang.

Mommy Vivienne?

Five years of motherhood erased in one sentence.

And the worst thing, no one corrected her, not even Damien.

The crowd only laughed warmly like it was the sweetest thing in the world.

Something inside me snapped. I was on my feet before I even realized it.

“Stop!”

My voice trembled despite how hard I tried to steady it.

The room quieted immediately.

Damien’s expression darkened the moment I reached them.

“Elara,” he said coldly. “Don’t make a scene.”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

“Don’t make a scene?” I repeated weakly. “You’re standing here while my daughter calls another woman her mother right in front of me!” My voice cracked.

Vivienne stepped back slightly, her expression calm but satisfaction gleamed in her eyes.

Mila frowned unhappily.

“You’re ruining my birthday,” she muttered.

The words hit like knives.

I swallowed hard, before carefully holding out the velvet box with trembling fingers.

“I brought you a gift,” I whispered softly. “I made it myself…”

For one second, Mila looked at the box.

Then Vivienne crouched beside her gracefully and opened another jewelry case first.

Inside sat a sparkling diamond bracelet. Mila gasped excitedly.

“Mommy Vivienne bought me a diamond bracelet!” she squealed happily.

The guests immediately burst into admiration.

“So gorgeous!”

“That bracelet must cost a fortune!”

Mila grabbed Vivienne’s gift excitedly without even looking at mine again. She carelessly pushed my velvet box aside, hitting the floor and sliding beneath the table nearby.

“You see?” Mila said suddenly, looking at me with childish annoyance. “Mommy Vivienne gives me prettier things.”

The ballroom spun slightly around me.

“I’m your mother,” I whispered helplessly, my voice breaking despite my effort to hold myself together.

But Mila immediately shook her head.

“No!” She said, clinging tightly to Vivienne’s arm “She’s my mommy now!”

The entire room fell silent.

Then Vivienne leaned closer to me and whispered in my ears “Maybe Mila is simply happier with me.”

Something hot exploded inside me.

Before I could stop myself, my hand lifted instinctively toward Vivienne— but Damien caught my wrist roughly.

Pain shot sharply through my arm.

“Have you lost your mind?” he said coldly, shoving my hand away like I disgusted him. “Don’t you dare lay a hand on her!”

My throat tightened painfully “Damien—”

“Get her out!” he ordered, and two security guards immediately stepped forward.

One of them grabbed my arm.

Gasps spread quietly through the ballroom as guests immediately pulled out their phones.

Some whispered excitedly, some laughed openly, watching me like I was entertainment.

“Let go of me!” I struggled instinctively, humiliation burning through every inch of my body as the guards dragged me toward the exit.

(Elara’s POV)

I walked slowly through the gates, my soaked heels scraping weakly against the wet ground as rainwater dripped from my hair onto the marble driveway

One of the guards glanced at me before scrunching his nose slightly.

“She’s finally back.”

The other guard pushed the gates open lazily without greeting me.

I lowered my gaze and walked inside silently.

My dress clung heavily to my body from the rain while mascara stains lingered beneath my eyes. My loose bun had almost completely fallen apart after walking endlessly through the storm outside.

I had been too numb to call a taxi after getting thrown out of Mila’s birthday party.

So I walked, and walked… and walked.

While the humiliation replayed endlessly inside my head.

Mila smiling brightly beside Vivienne, my handmade bracelet disappearing beneath the table, the guests laughing and Damien protecting Vivienne.

A painful ache twisted through my chest again.

I swallowed hard and stepped into the mansion.

Warmth immediately wrapped around my freezing body, but somehow, it only made me feel emptier.

A maid passing by near the entrance slowed when she saw me. Her eyes swept over my soaked appearance before she whispered to the lady beside her, “Did you see the videos online?”

The other maid snorted quietly, “She caused such a huge scandal tonight.”

“I heard Mr Vale was furious.”

Their whispers followed me through the hallway.

I tightened my fingers against my wet dress and continued walking silently. The mansion was unusually bright tonight.

As I walked further inside, Damien’s voice suddenly echoed faintly from the living room ahead. He was on a call with his mother.

Fear immediately tightened in my chest.

Damien’s mother wasn’t in the country, but even hearing her voice was enough to make my body tense instinctively.

If she had attended Mila’s birthday party herself, she would have slapped me publicly without hesitation.

That was the kind of woman Evelyn Vale was.

Cold, cruel and proud.

I instinctively stopped beside one of the marble pillars near the living room entrance.

Her furious voice rang loudly through the phone “That useless woman publicly embarrassed our family! The entire upper class is talking about it.”

Damien sat calmly on the couch while loosening his tie. Exhaustion lingered faintly across his handsome face, but unlike his mother’s rage, his expression remained composed.

“The only reason I ever accepted Elara was because she was gullible and easy to control.” Her voice echoed.

I went completely still. She continued, now lowering her voice “Wasn’t the agreement simple?”

Damien answered. “It was. We needed a male heir, and Vivienne didn't want children. She didn't want to go through that stress and ruin her body…”

My breathing became shaky.

“Exactly!” His mother interrupted, “It was the reason I agreed that you married Elara. She existed for that reason.”

My knees nearly buckled, and I grabbed onto the pillar for support. Their voices suddenly felt far away.

My marriage… my acceptance into the Vale family…

It had all been centered around giving them a male heir.

Mrs Vale continued “But now that she’s becoming troublesome. You need to get her pregnant with a son first, then discard her afterward.”

Every word sliced deeper into my chest.

“I know, Mom,” Damien answered.

At that moment, Mrs Nora, Mila’s nanny, noticed me standing there “Mrs Elara?”

The room fell silent instantly.

Damien slowly turned toward the doorway… Our eyes met.

For one long moment, neither of us spoke.

Damien’s expression remained cold, and annoyed. Then without breaking eye contact with me, he lifted the phone toward his ear “I’ll call you later.” he said, ending the call.

Damien’s gaze drifted over my tear-streaked face before he finally said flatly

“Go upstairs.”

That was it.

No explanation… Just another order.

I shivered from the cold, climbing the stairs when it suddenly dawned on me that tonight was another day in the calendar that we “try” for another child.

A lone tear streaked down my cheeks as I headed straight into the bathroom.

Hot water poured over me while I stood beneath the shower silently, trembling slightly.

By the time I changed into my robe afterward, my fingers were still cold.

I had barely tied the belt around my waist when the bedroom door opened.

Damien walked inside calmly… as though he hadn’t just destroyed my entire world downstairs.

“My mother is furious with you,” he said flatly.

I stayed silent.

“You embarrassed me publicly tonight, and upset Mila… Do you know how much trouble you caused me tonight?” He said, sliding his hand around my waist.

His touch used to make my heart race, but tonight I only felt disgusted.

When he lowered his head slightly toward my neck, something inside me snapped completely.

Smack!

The slap echoed sharply across the bedroom.

He froze, shock flickering across his face.

This was the first time I had ever resisted him. The first time I had ever hit him.

“Get your hands off me.” I yelled.

Damien’s expression darkened immediately. “Did you just hit me? Over what? Because you’re jealous and insecure about another woman? Vivienne never even tried to ruin Mila’s birthday.”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

Insecure?

Was I insecure for finally realizing I had only ever been a baby machine to him and his family?

“You’re so petty, Elara. And that is why I don’t like coming home.” Damien said coldly, and grabbed his jacket from the chair nearby.

Before leaving, he turned toward me one last time “Don’t call me again until you’re very sober.”

My throat tightened painfully.

Then he walked out, the bedroom door slamming shut behind him.

The old me would have panicked and followed him desperately. I would have sent apology messages, bought him gifts and begged for his forgiveness even when I wasn’t wrong.

But now… as I stared at the empty room, I muttered “Dear baby, they don’t deserve you. I won’t bring you into this family.”

(Elara’s POV)

I barely slept that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I kept hearing the same words repeatedly.

“She existed for that reason.”

My chest tightened painfully again.

The room felt empty without Damien beside me but strangely… for the first time in years, I didn’t check my phone desperately to see if he had replied to my messages, nor did I send him any messages.

I slowly placed my hand against my stomach.

Last night, I had wanted to let this child go.

But after lying awake in that empty room for hours, something inside me changed.

This baby was innocent, unlike the Vale family.

Tears gathered in my eyes as I whispered softly, “I’ll protect you.”

I slowly sat up and wiped my face.

Seven days.

I would give myself seven days to leave this marriage.

Deep down, I knew the Vale family wouldn’t let me leave easily. Families like theirs cared too much about reputation and control.

Still… I was going to try.

I would quietly gather my documents, my savings and disappear before they noticed.

Then my thoughts drifted toward Mila. My heart softened immediately.

Maybe if I spent more time with her again… maybe if we became close like before… I could leave with both my children.

That tiny hope was the only thing keeping me together as I forced myself out of bed.

***

“Mila, wake up sweetheart.”

I gently brushed her curls away from her face inside her bedroom.

Mila frowned sleepily before turning away from me. I swallowed the ache in my chest and carried her toward the bathroom.

Steam slowly filled the room while I carefully bathed her myself.

I wanted to reconnect with her little by little, even if she hated me right now.

While shampooing her hair gently, Mila suddenly said, “Mommy Vivienne smells better than you.”

My hands paused briefly.

Mila continued innocently while playing with the bath bubbles. “She dresses prettier too.”

I quietly rinsed her hair. “And Daddy smiles more when she’s around.”

Every sentence quietly chipped away at me, but I endured it because she’s still my daughter.

After bathing Mila, Mrs Nora entered the room to help dress her for school. I quietly left for the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Not long after I finished cooking, Mila and Mrs. Nora walked into the dining room laughing about something.

Mila’s face was bright with excitement.

And strangely… that hurt me too, because she never laughed like that around me anymore.

I forced myself to smile anyway and placed her breakfast in front of her.

Mila stared at the plate blankly before taking a bite. Then immediately frowned. “You always make vegetables.” She said, pushing the plate away “while Mommy Vivienne lets me eat whatever I want.”

I swallowed hard before saying softly, “Too much junk food isn’t good for you.”

Mila sighed dramatically “You always nag.”

The stress from the previous night combined with every hurtful word Mila had said suddenly hit me all at once.

My vision blurred slightly, and I gripped the edge of the dining chair tightly.

Mrs Nora noticed immediately.

“Mrs Elara?”

She quickly hurried toward the kitchen nearby to get water.

When she was taking too much time, I reached weakly for Mila's water bottle. Mila suddenly grabbed it away “That's mine!”

I swallowed helplessly, feeling my chest being stabbed over and over again.

Mrs Nora soon returned with a glass of water and I quickly took it, gulping it because my throat felt unbearably dry.

But the moment the water slid down my throat, the taste felt strange.

I instinctively looked toward Mrs Nora.

The older woman avoided my eyes while adjusting Mila’s school bag nervously.

For one brief second, unease settled inside me... but I quickly dismissed it.

Mrs Nora was the only person in this house who had ever treated me like a human being. She would never hurt me.

Before I could think further, Mila started complaining loudly,

“I’m going to be late for school!”

The tension immediately broke. I quietly grabbed my purse and followed Mila outside.

The car ride was painfully silent.

Mila sat beside the window fiddling happily with the diamond bracelet Vivienne bought her while avoiding me completely.

I stared at her small face quietly.

She looked so much like Damien.

When we finally arrived at school, I moved to step out of the car but Mila immediately stiffened. She muttered quietly, “Can you not come down?”

I froze.

“Why?” I asked softly.

Mila avoided my eyes. “The other moms look prettier, and they dress better too.”

The words stabbed directly into my chest.

Still, I forced myself to smile weakly to respond when a familiar feminine voice suddenly echoed behind us.

“That’s not the way to speak to your mother, Mila.”

I turned immediately.

Vivienne stood there elegantly in a cream-colored outfit, sunglasses resting atop her hair while a luxury handbag hung loosely from her arm.

The moment Mila saw her, her face lit up instantly “Mommy Vivienne!”

My chest tightened painfully again.

Mila rushed straight into Vivienne’s arms excitedly. Vivienne hugged her naturally, “I came to return something you forgot at the party.” she said, handing Mila a small luxury gift bag.

Mila gasped excitedly “Another gift?!”

She hugged Vivienne tightly again.

I stood there silently watching them, unable to do anything.

Vivienne slowly lifted her gaze toward me. Beneath her graceful smile was triumph.

Then casually, she said softly,

“You should really take care of yourself, Elara.”

Her eyes briefly flickered downward toward my stomach for a second, just enough to make me uneasy.

Then she added quietly,

“Stress can be very dangerous for delicate things.”

My fingers instinctively curled around my stomach.

For one brief moment, suspicion flickered through my mind.

Did Vivienne know?

But I immediately dismissed the thought. No one knew about the pregnancy.

No one.

Soon afterward, Mila walked proudly into school beside Vivienne, holding her hand tightly.

I stood there watching them disappear until my chest hurt too much to keep looking.

Then quietly, I entered the car again.

Not long after the car started moving, the driver suddenly received a call. His expression immediately changed “Mrs Elara…” he said apologetically. “I’ve been summoned to join the escort lineup for Mr and Mrs Vale’s arrival from the airport.”

Dread immediately settled heavily inside my stomach.

Damien’s parents were returning... And that meant hell inside the mansion would become worse.

I quietly nodded.

The driver dropped me off at the nearest junction before hurrying away. Only after the car disappeared did I realize where I was.

This part of the city was filled mostly with elite private residences. There were barely any taxis around.

I wrapped my arms around myself and started walking slowly.

The more I thought about Evelyn Vale’s return…

the sharper the pain in my stomach became.

At first, I tried calming myself and breathing slowly but the pain only intensified.

My vision blurred.

A terrified sound escaped my lips before I could stop it.

Then suddenly... warm liquid began trickling down my legs.

I looked down.

Blood.

Panic crashed into me instantly.

My knees weakened as hurried footsteps sounded behind me, but the pain was too overwhelming for me to care who it was.

Everything around me spun violently...

Just before I hit the ground, strong arms caught me.

The last thing I heard before darkness swallowed me whole was a deep male voice saying my name.

“Elara?”