Chapter 3

When I met Natalie, she was dressed in an expensive designer outfit, exuding an air of superiority.

"What did you want to see me about?" I asked coldly. I couldn't forget how she and her mother had driven my mother and me out of our home. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have suffered so much. My mother wouldn't have worked herself sick trying to pay for my college tuition.

Natalie stirred her coffee, smirking. "Mrs. Merchant, have you gotten so comfortable in your role as a wealthy man's wife that you think you can keep what isn't yours?"

I knew Alexander loved her, which always made me feel insecure and guilty in our relationship.

"You didn't want him," I reminded her.

"Well, now I do," Natalie declared, shocking me into silence.

Seeing my surprise, she continued, "It's time we all returned to our rightful places."

Return Alexander to her? No, give him back to her.

My heart sank, and I couldn't hide my reluctance.

Natalie noticed and warned, "Your mother's medical bills are still being paid by the Sinclair family. Are you sure you don't want to give Alexander back to me?"

Frustrated, I snapped, "He's not an object you can just claim whenever you feel like it!"

Natalie laughed coldly. "Lily, don't overestimate yourself. You have no right to negotiate here. Alexander has always loved me. You're just a substitute. Don't think you actually belong in his world."

Her words silenced me completely.

I'd heard that when Alexander came to propose, the value of his engagement gifts alone was worth two years of the Sinclair family's profits. They didn't dare refuse the marriage, fearing Alexander's retaliation.

Everyone in the city knew Alexander was ruthless and vengeful. Rumor had it that when he was driven out by his father's mistress and illegitimate son, he went to the countryside with his mother to recover. Years later, when he returned, he single-handedly brought down the entire company.

Now, that illegitimate son couldn't even find a job, let alone start a business. Alexander wouldn't give him any chance to succeed.

He even took down our father, personally reporting him for bribery and sending him to prison.

This ruthless man was only gentle with me. But I knew it wasn't because he favored me, but because of Natalie, his first love.

"Lily, everything that's mine, you can't take away," Natalie hissed. "Not Dad, not Alexander."

I felt suffocated, unable to breathe. I didn't dare to take the risk. I was afraid of Alexander's retaliation if he found out the truth, and I couldn't gamble with my mother's safety.

I also didn't dare to bet on Alexander's love for me, which felt so intangible. If there was one thing I'd learned from my father, it was that love was the most fleeting thing in this world.

"Give me a month," I finally said. Alexander's birthday was at the end of the month.

"Two weeks," Natalie countered.

For the first time, I stood up to her. "If you're willing to wait, I'll give him back. If not, forget it."

As I walked away, I heard Natalie's voice. "Fine."

After I left, Natalie cursed under her breath. "That little bitch, she dares to threaten me now!"

Natalie hadn't really wanted Alexander back at first. But seeing how good he was to me made her insanely jealous. After all, it should have been her life.

As I walked out onto the street, I felt homeless. Did I really have to give Alexander back to Natalie?

Without thinking, I found myself at the foot of Alexander's company building. Suddenly, I desperately wanted to see him.