Chapter 5
Maria let out a satisfied sigh: “Leander… your body is so cool…”
In that instant, Clara felt her world collapse.
Standing outside the hospital room, peering through the crack in the door, she watched two naked bodies entwined inside.
Leander held Marla tightly, skin against skin, sharing body heat like a real married couple.
She suddenly remembered how long ago, Leander had despised being touched by others.
Once, when a female assistant accidentally brushed his hand, he’d immediately washed it three times, returning with a frown: “Elara, anyone touching me except you makes me uncomfortable.”
But now, for Marla’s sake, he could strip without hesitation and warm her with his own body.
Elara bit her lip hard until she tasted blood.
She turned and left, bought some fever medicine from a nearby room, then went home alone.
That night, she dreamed constantly.
All her dreams were of sixteen–year–old Leander.
Him climbing walls to skip class and buy her bubble tea.
Him shouting “Elara Whitlow, I like you!” across the basketball court.
Him kneeling in the snow saying “Marry me,
please.”
Finally, sixteen–year–old Leander walked away hand–in–hand with sixteen–year–old Elara, all memories scattering in the wind.
Three days later, Leander finally came home.
They faced each other in the living room, the air thick with tension.
As Elara turned to go upstairs, Leander grabbed her wrist.
“Elara, about what happened at sea, I need to explain…”
“You chose Marla because she’s carrying your child,” Elara said calmly. “I understand.”
Leander paused, then visibly relaxed, thinking she truly didn’t mind,
He smiled, his tone becoming lighter: “Good that you understand. Oh, your birthday’s coming up–I’ll throw you a birthday party.”
Before Elara could refuse, he’d already released her and turned to make arrangements.
The birthday party was as lavish as always.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled, champagne towers gleamed, guests raised their glasses in celebration.
But Leander’s attention was clearly elsewhere.
He kept checking his phone, constantly replying to messages.
Clara didn’t need to guess–he was worried about Marla, about the child in lier belly.
Sure enough, before the party ended, Leander hurried to her side: “Elara, there’s an urgent matter at the company. I have to go
Clara said nothing, just quietly watched his retreating figure.
She didn’t want to stay either. Just as she was preparing to leave, her phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
[Happy birthday. Clara! Too bad no one at your birthday party really cares about you.]*
Below was a photo.
In it, Leander–who was supposed to be at “the company“-appeared in another banquet hall.
Today was also Marla’s birthday.
He’d rushed off to celebrate another woman’s birthday.
*Come take a look] another message from Marla appeared. *[My party is right next to yours. There’s a surprise waiting for you~]*
Elara wanted to turn and leave, but her legs moved uncontrollably toward the adjacent room.
The moment she pushed open the door, she was struck like lightning!
Leander was gently caressing Marla’s belly, his expression tender beyond bearing.
Leander’s parents were sliding a jade bracelet onto Marla’s wrist: “Honey, this bracelet has been passed down to Everhart daughters–in–law for generations. You’ve worked so hard carrying our family’s child.”
“In our hearts, you’re the Everhart family’s only daughter–in–law.”
Like ice water poured from head to toe, Elara trembled all over.
She remembered that jade bracelet.
When Leander first brought her home to meet his parents, they’d taken her hands lovingly and said: “Elara, this bracelet is passed down to Everhart daughters–in–law. From now on, it’s yours.”
But later, when news of her infertility spread, Leander’s parents never smiled at her again, even hinting they wanted the bracelet back.
And now, that bracelet was on Marla’s wrist.
Elara wanted to leave, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot.
Just then, Leander in the banquet hall suddenly looked up, his gaze cutting through the crowd to meet hers directly.
