I forced down the emotions swirling inside me, unwilling to keep arguing with them. It was pointless.

I glanced at the pastries on the table in the reception room and asked calmly, "Weren't you all waiting for me? I'm a little hungry. Could you pass me one of those pastries?"

The air went still. The silence was so deafening that you could hear a pin drop.

The group exchanged startled glances before bursting into raucous laughter.

Selena laughed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. "Seriously? You think we're waiting for you? Do you really think you're that important?"

She shoved the pastries even farther away and pointed at the welcome sign. "Take a good look at this. We're waiting for Mrs. Fields. Do you even know who that is?"

Of course I knew. That woman was me.

Everyone else jumped in to agree.

"Vivian, stop dreaming. You think you can sneak a pastry meant for Mrs. Fields? You're not even worthy of carrying her shoes!"

"Rumor has it that although William is ruthless in business, he's the ultimate romantic when it comes to his wife. He refused to get married until she agreed to be with him."

"Everyone says if you want to get on William's good side, you should butter up his wife. She's his favorite person in the world…"

I could not help but curl my lips into a faint smile as I listened to their chatter.

After three years of marriage, William had become more than a business legend. Every woman wished her boyfriend were like him, and men could not hope to match him when it came to the love he showed his wife.

Selena, who loved digging up gossip about powerful businessmen, flaunted what she knew. "I heard that William once spent five million on a giant pink diamond just to win his wife's heart. The diamond symbolizes a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. It drove women all over the world absolutely mad with envy!"

She paused for a moment, then suddenly caught sight of the diamond ring on my finger and let out a sharp cry. "Wait, that's the one!"

The room instantly fell silent again. Everyone held their breath and turned to look at my ring.

Hayden suddenly grabbed my hand, scrutinizing it with a mocking sneer.

"Not a bad knockoff," Hayden scoffed. "Who gave you this? Some broke loser trying too hard?"

I shook off his hand and gave a faint smile. My fingers gently brushed over the ring.

It was the proposal gift William had given me on our very first Valentine's Day together.

It was not the most expensive piece he had ever given me, but it was irreplaceable to me.

To me, it was a symbol of his love. To them, it was something they could not even dream of touching.

Realizing I was not the least bit flustered, Hayden's pupils tightened with a sudden flash of fury. Without warning, he lunged forward, seized my hand, and tore the ring off my finger with a brutal yank.

Before I could react, he had already taken it from me.

Selena took the ring from Hayden and held it up, turning it over as she examined it.

"It's definitely nicer than the knockoff I bought, but at least I have some dignity. I'd never wear a fake in public and make a fool of myself.

"Or are you claiming that you're the guest from abroad, the legendary Mrs. Fields?"

Her words set off an uproar of laughter.

To them, it was utterly ridiculous.

William Fields was a world-class business leader known for his sharp instincts and decisive judgment.

As for me, I was nothing more than the worthless ex Hayden tossed aside three years ago.

They could not even put us together in the same sentence.

Selena tossed the ring lightly in her hand, flipping it up and catching it with careless ease. "Vivian, I really like this knockoff of yours. Sell it to me. Whatever you paid for it, I'll give you double."

Afraid she might scratch the diamond, I quickly said, "Give it back. That ring was a gift from William…"

Before I could finish, Hayden's palm flew across my face, snapping my head to the side. Blood filled my mouth.

"Shut your mouth!" With his jaw tight, he hissed in a low, furious voice, "Who gave you the confidence to keep William's name in your mouth? Do you want to get me killed with your lies?!"

His lackeys glared at me as though I had committed some unforgivable crime.

"Do you have any idea what you're saying? This is our only chance to make a good impression on Mrs. Fields! The head office is sending people down to inspect soon. Are you trying to ruin Hayden's career?"

"He fought tooth and nail to become an executive. Do you think a pathetic ex like yourself can pose as Mrs. Fields?"

I wiped the blood from my lip and slowly turned back to face Hayden.

Perhaps my gaze was too cold and sharp as he actually flinched. A hint of unease flickered across his eyes.

Selena noticed and immediately shrieked, pointing at me, "Vivian, you ungrateful woman! Hayden's already agreed to take you back, yet you're still pushing your luck?!

"Even if you still hold a grudge against Hayden, you can't stoop this low just to get revenge on him!"

Her words dragged me back to three years ago.

Back then, no matter what I did, Selena always managed to twist my intentions and belittle me in front of Hayden.

In the beginning, Hayden stood up for me, even lashing out at Selena on my behalf.

Over time, he began to echo her words, turning his anger to me.

Just like now. Hayden's face hardened, and his voice was harsh with disappointment. "You pathetic, jealous woman!"

However, his gaze lingered on my clothes. Unlike before, he did not pile on the insults.

After a moment's hesitation, he pulled out a bank card and flicked it at me.

"I'll let this slide just once for the old times' sake. There's $500,000 on this card. The password's your birthday. Take it and buy yourself some decent clothes. And if you're not willing to deliver meals for the kid, I'll help you find some other respectable work in a few days.

"Relax! I'm an executive now. That kind of money is nothing to me."

I glanced at the bank card, then at his smug face.

With everyone staring in shock, I slowly pushed away the card he offered and took my ring back from Selena.

"Keep your card. I'm not short on money," I said indifferently, "If you've got that much to spare, go donate it to children in need."

I ignored Hayden's flushed, angry face and strode away.

I had not taken more than a few steps when he suddenly grabbed me. He questioned me in a cold voice, "Vivian, are you still putting on an act in front of me? You're my woman, so spending my money is only natural. Don't act like you don't care. I know better than you what you really want."

I met his gaze. "Do I need to remind you? We were over the moment you threw me out of our wedding three years ago."

If anyone truly knew me better than myself, it was William.

He never made a show of it, yet he remembered every little thing I loved.

I loved the scent of roses in the morning, so he always put a fresh bouquet by the window.

I preferred my coffee with milk, and his assistants had never once brought me the wrong cup.

I got cold easily. He quietly kept that in mind, always making sure I had a shawl and gloves before I could even ask.

If William knew another man was standing before me, boasting about how well he understood me, that man would have to start praying.

Hayden seemed to misunderstand. He glanced at Selena with a knowing smirk.

"Throwing another little tantrum, are you? Fine. The Fields Corporation is holding an annual gala in three days to welcome William back to the country. Every big name in the business world will be there. I'll take you with me and let you see how the real upper circle looks.

"But you'll need to ditch that dowdy outfit. Don't embarrass me."

I did not wait for him to finish and immediately declined. "No, thank you."

Upon being turned down once more, Hayden's irritation flared. He clenched his teeth so hard they rattled.

"Vivian, I see you've got a bit more bite these days, but you're still thinking way too small.

"If you won't go, I'll take Selena. Don't regret it!"

Selena's eyes lit up when she heard that, and she was quick to respond.

"Hayden, give me the card. I'll dress nicely, and I promise I won't embarrass you."

I did not want to waste another second on them. Turning on my heel, I left, letting a single, icy remark hang in the air.

"We'll see if you're still so confident in three days."

As I stepped out into the fresh air, the nausea that had been pressing on my stomach finally eased.

Three years ago, my parents arranged a marriage for me. Under the crushing pressure to settle down, I begged my boyfriend of seven years, Hayden, to marry me, planning to tie the knot first and explain to my family later.

Hayden had agreed.

I never imagined that on my wedding day, I would not just be waiting for Hayden, but also his childhood sweetheart, Selena.

"Selena's child needs a father. I'll marry her first. Once we've fooled her family, I'll come back and marry you.

"It's all for the child's mental health. Don't overthink it."

Watching him walk into the chapel hand in hand with Selena from behind, I felt my heart shatter into pieces.

That night, I accepted my parents' arrangement.

A month later, I married William, and a year later, I gave birth to our first child. Now, our second was on the way.

If not for returning to visit my parents, I would not have come back to this country or seen Hayden again.

…

Three days later, I put on a touch of makeup, slipped into loose, understated clothes, and went alone to the annual gala.

The moment Hayden saw me, his eyes lit up, and a smug smile tugged at his lips.

"You said you wouldn't show up, but your actions tell a different story.

"If you actually think you can win me back, the least you could do is learn some high-society manners. You should wear a gown to a fancy event like this. What kind of woman would show up here in pants?"

I ignored his sudden ego trip and made my way to my seat.

He blocked my way, his tone furious.

"Vivian, I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me? Our white seats are right by the door. Where do you think you're going?"

I pulled my hand free and replied in a cold voice, "That's your seat. Mine is over there."

Following the direction of my hand, Hayden's gaze landed on the most prestigious golden seats in the banquet hall. His face darkened instantly.

Selena shot me a venomous look, then jabbed her finger at me and shouted,

"Vivian, how did you sneak in here? And how dare you wear a replica of Mrs. Field's diamond ring? You're here just to make trouble, aren't you?!"

Her voice rang out loudly, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall.

People began whispering among themselves.

"That ring she's wearing… Isn't it a knockoff of the 'Only Love' pink diamond William spent a fortune on for his wife?"

"Today is Mrs. Fields's first public appearance. Showing up with a fake like that is practically a provocation, isn't it?"

A sharply dressed man frowned and asked, "Hayden, is she your friend?"

Hayden tugged at his tie and answered in an indifferent tone when I still would not look at him. "No."

Selena straightened up when she heard him. She lifted her chin high and snapped, "Take off that knockoff ring and get out of here now!"

I looked at her evenly and asked, "Do you really want me to leave?"

My composed expression only enraged her more. She probably pictured me weeping, bowing low, and begging her to let me stay.

A fierce glare flashed in her eyes, and she barked, "Quit the act. Take it off now!"

The next second, she came over and tried to yank the diamond ring from my finger.

I dodged her and stepped back two paces.

Just then, someone suddenly stretched out a leg from behind and sent me stumbling.

My palm hit the floor, and I went dizzy.

Selena let out a cold laugh, then ground my hand down with the heel of her stiletto, tore the ring from my finger, and threw it hard on the floor.

"This junk? Only someone as lowly as you would call it a treasure!"

Pain shot through my arm. The back of my hand was raw and bloody.

I remained frozen, eyes fixed on the diamond lying broken on the floor, unable to react.

"Lift her and throw her out!" Selena ordered haughtily.

People closed in immediately.

As someone reached for my limbs, I forced the words out through the pain, "Stop! I'm William's…"

Slap!

Before I could finish, Selena struck me hard across the face.

"Still pretending, huh? Are you planning to spread rumors that you're William's mistress again? As if you even deserve that title!"

She was not satisfied, so she slapped me again.

My cheek burned. I clenched my teeth, and a burning fury lit inside me.

I was pregnant. Anger would do me no good, and I thought there was no point in bothering with her.

Now, I swore I would make Selena regret everything she had ever done to me.

Hayden crouched down in front of me, reaching for the wound on my wrist, but I instinctively pulled away before he could touch me.

His face hardened. "Vivian, have you had enough of this?

"You showed up at the annual gala today in that outfit and wearing a fake diamond ring. Wasn't it all just to get my attention and win me back?

"If you beg me now, I can smooth this over. I'll let you stay by my side."

I could not help but let out a short, bitter laugh. "Hayden, you're ridiculously full of yourself."

He frowned, about to answer, when suddenly the room fell quiet.

Everyone present began straightening their outfits, and their eyes fixed on the main entrance.

Hayden hurried to pull me to my feet and spoke in a low voice, "William will be here any minute. You'd better behave.

"As long as you play your cards right, you might even get a chance to win me back."

I could not be bothered to say another word. As I clutched my throbbing wrist, all I could think about was how loathsome the man in front of me had become.

Lights at the entrance flared.

William entered with our child in his arms, moving slowly through the crowd. He was like the center of a galaxy, every gaze in the room drawn to him.

The little one wriggled out of his father's arms the moment they stepped in. His lively, cherubic energy instantly drew everyone's eye.

He glanced around the hall with wide, curious eyes. Everyone he looked at straightened up, clutching their chests as though they had just been granted the highest honor.

Hayden turned to me abruptly and said, "Vivian, as long as you stop being jealous and causing Selena trouble, I'll forgive you for disappearing for three years.

"But you've got to give me a child! I want one even cuter than William's kid."

I could not be bothered to respond to him. My eyes had already found my husband and child in the crowd.

The moment our gazes met, both their faces lit up.

Moments later, William took our little one by the hand and walked straight toward me.