Chapter 4

Everyone's jaws hit the floor.

"They went viral with that story about Mr. Smith buying that insane gem necklace! That looks exactly like what Audrey's wearing!"

"Does that mean... Audrey really is Mrs. Smith?"

Camille’s eyes went wide when she recognized the necklace, jealousy flashing across her face.

Before I could react, she lunged forward and snatched it, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Audrey, you’re shameless—wearing fakes to trick people! How dare you pretend to be Mrs. Smith?"

"I’ll admit, this knockoff is pretty good—but it’s still a fake."

"Marcus is about to close a deal with Mr. Smith. Are you trying to sabotage him by pulling this Mrs. Smith act?"

I gave her a icy stare.

"Who said it’s fake? Give it back—now!"

I stepped forward to take it back, but she pulled away, clutching the necklace tightly. The sharp setting could scratch the gem.

My chest tightened. Liam had picked that out specially for me.

Marcus scowled. "Audrey, it’s just a necklace. If Camille likes it, can’t you be the bigger person? I’ll buy you a better one later."

"Don’t bother," I said coldly, stepping closer again.

But Camille suddenly stumbled back with a gasp, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at Marcus. "Marcus, I didn’t mean to! I was just curious… I thought Audrey might still be mad at me…"

Marcus rushed to hold her, then turned his anger on me.

"That’s enough, Audrey! Camille’s sick—can’t you cut her some slack?"

"You started this by pretending to be Mrs. Smith! Are you trying to ruin our company’s chance? Two years later and you’re still this bitter!"

I met Camille’s provocative look, and it all clicked.

She wasn’t even that sick. Her "terminal diagnosis" had always been fishy—her medical records wouldn’t hold up to real scrutiny.

I’d mentioned it to Marcus before, but he’d called me bitter. Said I was just being malicious.

And now? He was still choosing to believe her.

I didn’t have the energy to argue. I braced myself for more accusations, just like old times.

But he took a deep breath, like he was forcing himself to stay calm.

"Fine. If Camille likes the necklace, just give it to her as an apology."

"Let’s drop it. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that crazy talk earlier."

That necklace was from Liam. No way was I handing it over.

When Camille looked away, I snatched it back quick but careful, my voice icy. "This was a gift from my husband. You have no right to it."

I moved too fast—Marcus reached for it, but missed.

Marcus’s face darkened when I wouldn’t let him off the hook.

"Audrey, it’s just a necklace. Are you for real?"

"Camille, forget it. I’ll buy you something even better—something that’ll make certain people sorry they crossed us!"

I tuned them out, tucked the necklace safely away, and headed for the door.

Later, I went back to the hotel to rest.

That evening, I changed into a formal gown and headed to the charity gala.

Before I left, Liam texted—he and Leo had just finished the amusement park fireworks and were on their way. He told me to go in and wait for them.

Knowing Liam and Leo have a sweet tooth, I grabbed some desserts on a china plate, planning to find a seat and wait for them.

I turned and ran straight into Marcus and Camille, both dressed to the nines.

When he saw it was me, Marcus scowled.

"How’d you get in here? What, you tracked me down hoping to get back together?"

"Weren’t you so high and mighty earlier? Turns out you’re not that tough after all!"

Camille saw me holding the pastries and giggled, her voice dripping with mockery.

"Audrey, don’t tell me you’re working here? I heard the pay’s decent, but it’s still serving people. You’d be better off coming back to take care of Noah."

Marcus looked down his nose at me.

"Audrey, if you beg nicely, I might—for old times’ sake—let you come back."

I kept my voice steady.

"Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not staff. I’m waiting for my husband and son."

Camille laughed like she’d heard the funniest thing ever.

"Audrey, the only family attending tonight is Mr. Smith’s. You’re not still claiming to be Mrs. Smith, are you?"

"I’ve been telling the truth all along."

Camille crossed her arms and sneered.

"Audrey, you’re a compulsive liar! How dare you spout this garbage at an event like this—still wearing that fake necklace!"

"If Mr. Smith finds out, you’ll ruin this for all of us!"

Before I could stop her, Camille lunged again, trying to grab my necklace.

I stepped out of the way, but her momentum made her stumble into a nearby server table. Wine glasses crashed to the floor, shattering loudly.

Her nail scraped my wrist, sending a sharp pain through my arm.

Before I could check the injury, Camille pointed at me and screamed to the gathering crowd.

"She's a fake! She's pretending to be Mrs. Smith! Get her out!"

The commotion by the champagne tower drew a crowd. Marcus watched coldly from the sidelines, not saying a word to defend me.

Then someone in the crowd murmured, "Mr. Smith is here!"

Heads turned toward the entrance. I tried to catch Liam's eye.

But Marcus grabbed my wrist, his voice low.

"Audrey, calm down! I know you followed me here because you can't let go."

"If you stop this now, after the gala, I might hear you out. We could even have another baby—our own this time..."

He tried to pull me closer, but I wrenched my hand free.

Liam had already noticed the chaos. He walked over holding Leo, his forehead creased.

"What's going on here?"

Camille instantly put on a polite, wronged expression.

"Mr. Smith, this woman is impersonating your wife and making a scene. I was just trying to ask her to leave..."

Marcus jumped in, "Yes, Mr. Smith, just a little misunderstanding. Nothing to worry about."

Suddenly Leo squirmed out of Liam's arms and ran to me. When he saw the red mark on my wrist, his little face fell.

"Mommy, what happened to your hand? Who hurt you?"