It was late at night when Elliot paid a rare visit to my room. He'd rarely spent time with me ever since Margot moved into the Sheppard residence three years ago.
Back then, he'd explained that we had to commit to every last bit of the act if we were going to convince everyone. And since Margot was his wife in name, he had to treat her right and make sure she never had to suffer under the Sheppard family roof.
She had no family or power, so he was her only shield. But he'd never once stopped to ask what it'd been like for me living in the Sheppard residence alone for the last three years, drowning in its silent hostility.
It'd been so long since we'd looked into each other's eyes like this that I felt awkward and even a little choked up.
His eyes were what I'd always loved most about him. And whenever he looked at me like that, I used to believe I was the only one he loved.
Like always, he habitually cupped my cheeks. "I'm sorry you've had to go through so much, Celeste.
"I've finally found evidence to clear Professor Fairgrave's name. We'll win the case and overturn the charges in less than a month, then the three of us can finally be together as a family again."
For the first time in years, I felt a flicker of relief.
But he continued after a pause, "There's one more thing only you can help with. For our wedding anniversary dinner next week, I want you to be the head chef. You know Maggie… and Rowan have always loved your cooking.
"I'll be hosting a welcome back party for Professor Fairgrave that night so he can finally reunite with Maggie. And it honestly means so much to me if you could do it; I can't think of anyone more perfect for the job."
His words stabbed me deeply.
It was true that I was a skilled chef with internationally recognized certifications, but I'd long told him that cooking was my passion, and I hated being forced to mass-produce uninspired dishes.
I could cook nutrient-packed meals for Rowan, but now, Elliot was reducing me to cooking as a chef for Margot and her father.
I opened my mouth to protest, but I failed to get a single word out of my throat.
His gaze shifted to the nightstand, and he looked delighted to notice the stuffed toy. "Isn't that the birthday gift Maggie gave you when you two first met? You've kept it all these years!
"Celeste, I know you two are like sisters, and you'll definitely do it for me."
He pulled me into his arms with the gentlest movements, but I felt so suffocated that I could barely breathe. I'd only left that toy on the nightstand because I meant to throw it away.
A sharp, urgent knock came from the door. "Mr. Sheppard, Mrs. Sheppard has fainted. Please come quickly."
Elliot frowned before forcing a smile at me. "I'll be right back."
As I watched him leave, I hesitated briefly before following him out.
In the enormous master bedroom, Margot leaned weakly against Elliot's shoulder while the family doctor packed up his medical equipment.
"Congratulations, Mr. Sheppard. She's over a month pregnant."
A genuine, warm smile spread across Elliot's face as he bopped Margot's nose. "No more reckless stunts for our baby's sake."
Rowan pushed between them. "It was my fault, Dad. I accidentally bumped into Mom while we were building Legos, and she fainted. But she wants me to call Ms. Duvall 'Mom,' and I don't want to! This pretty mommy is the only mom I'll ever want!
"If you're all going to force me, just stuff me back into Mom's tummy so I can start over with my baby brother or sister!"
Rowan wrapped his arms around them both, his innocent babble drawing laughter from the adults.
Standing outside the door, I nearly collapsed.
I remembered how much I'd bled, and how I'd barely survived the day I gave birth to him. When I woke up, the usually stoic, calm Elliot was bawling.
He'd clutched my hand and murmured, "Celeste, I'd give up everything I own for you to be safe and healthy."
The nurses later told me that he hadn't even glanced at our newborn son and stayed by my side the whole time. That was the day I swore, no matter what, I'd stay by his side for life.
Now, he'd not just taken my son but also brought another life into the world with another woman.
A sob escaped me before I could help it and shattered the cozy scene of the family of three inside.
Rowan spotted me first. He ran forward at full speed and rammed into me, knocking me to the floor. "It's you again, stupid nanny! You always ruin my happiest moments, and I hate you!
"You want me to call you mom when I don't even want to see you! I'll make Mom and Dad fire you so you're never allowed into this house again!"
I reached out to hold him, but Margot, dragging her pale and sickly self, got to him first. Then, she cried out in panic, "Don't hit him! He's just a child!
"I'll let Rowan go if you insist on taking him away; I've endured worse heartbreaks. But please don't vent your rage on a child!"
Elliot stepped in and protectively shielded her stomach. "Careful! Don't say stuff like that!
"Just go back to your room, Celeste. We'll talk about this some other day."
But why? Why was it that no matter how much I gave and yielded, I always ended up with nothing?
For the first time, I defied Elliot.
"Talk about it some other day? About what? About how close Rowan and Margot have grown as mother and son, or how deeply the two of you love each other?
"And when exactly are we gonna talk? When Rowan grows up, marries, and has children of his own? Or when your picture-perfect family of four is six feet under?"
"Celeste!" Elliot growled. The veins in his neck bulged out, but he restrained himself for Margot and her unborn baby's sake.
"I told you I'd set everything right, and I'll keep my word! Why do you have to make such a scene?
"Rowan's just a kid, and Maggie's pregnant! You coming at her like this is beyond disappointing!"
The door slammed shut and isolated the two worlds. Inside was a happy family of three, while I stood outside, alone and frozen in shock.
I had no idea how I made it back to my 200-square-foot maid's quarters that were cold and empty. I sat through the night, and the man who'd promised he'd be right back never returned.
When dawn broke, I took out a pair of scissors and expressionlessly tore the stuffed toy on my nightstand into pieces. Then, I resolutely threw it into the trash.
Just then, came a knock at the door. It was Lilo Fleur, one of the maids, who impatiently snapped, "It's late! Get up and make breakfast for Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard!
"Mrs. Sheppard is pregnant now, and Mr. Sheppard said we're celebrating for three days. Don't think you can slack off like before.
"And don't act high and mighty just because Mrs. Sheppard is kind enough not to punish you. You're just a maid like the rest of us."
I hadn't slept all night, and my mind was buzzing. Still, I fought it back and walked out with a nod.
My foot caught on a storage box I didn't notice was at my feet, and a picture frame clattered to the floor. When I picked up and saw the picture attached, I was briefly stunned.
It was from Rowan's baby shower where I'd held him in my embrace, while Elliot's arms wrapped around us both.
Back then, Elliot was tall and good-looking, while I was radiant and glowing. Anyone would have called us a perfect, happy family.
Now, I glanced in the mirror and saw a thin, sallow reflection. Turning back, I slammed the picture frame back down, unable to bear another glance.
After stumbling my way to the garden to pick some rosemary, I heard Elliot's voice.
"I've finally uncovered the truth about that year, Maggie. Professor Fairgrave was innocent, and once he's released, our family can truly reunite.
"Don't worry about Celeste. After the anniversary, I'll find an excuse to send her abroad, so she'll never see me or Rowan again. Then, it'll just be us as a loving couple, and no one would be around to come between us."
Feeling my limbs go cold, I chuckled softly as tears streamed down my cheeks. It felt as if all my questions had been answered, and this was what I'd waited three years for.
It was time to end this now.
…
Under the pretense of housekeeping, I entered Elliot's study to gather the property deeds and jewelry I'd brought with me.
I came from a family in the north, where the lands stretched over green grasslands. Dad had passed early, and Mom's poor health after giving birth to me kept her from traveling far. For fear that I might suffer in the Sheppard family, she'd given me countless properties to back me up.
I used to laugh at her exaggerated concern, but those properties ended up funding much of Elliot's financial setbacks. Even the venue he planned to host his grand dinner party in a few days belonged to me.
Now, I would take all of them back. After being away for so long, I could barely remember the green sweep of meadows or how brightly I once shone.
Elliot and I never registered our marriage or held a wedding. Now that I was leaving, there wasn't even a need for a public announcement to mark my departure.
Still, I wondered how Elliot would react when the developers showed up to reclaim those lands in a few days.
When night fell, I left the Sheppard residence forever with nothing but a small suitcase.
Meanwhile, Elliot stood outside my room with my favorite supper, knocking on a door that would never open again.
