Chapter 5
695words
"But I… I have commitments here."
"I've reviewed your mother's hospital expenses. No ordinary person could afford these bills. Your marriage is clearly some kind of financial arrangement. If you need money, I can help you—with no strings attached. I couldn't help overhearing… your relationship with your husband seems rather one-sided."
My love holds no value, so providing emotional support is the only genuine thing I can offer in this marriage.
Equality was never part of the equation.
A marriage defined by contract, existing solely for financial gain—what room is there for equality?
"If you can help my mother, I would seriously consider ending my marriage."
Without financial necessity, this marriage has no purpose.
Kevin Pierce smiled and gently pinched my cheek.
"Perfect. After such a productive day, the least you could do is accompany me to my welcome dinner, wouldn't you say?"
I nodded, then suddenly remembered my unfinished design draft.
"I can't stay late though—I have urgent work to complete."
Kevin Pierce took my hand with the easy familiarity of someone who had never left my life.
The dress he'd chosen complemented my figure perfectly, highlighting an elegance I'd forgotten I possessed.
For a fleeting moment, I felt transported back to my former life.
As we exited the car, Kevin leaned in suddenly, and I tensed, thinking he might try to kiss me.
Instead, he was fastening pearl earrings to my ears.
I heard camera shutters clicking behind us—a brilliant young neurosurgeon with movie-star looks naturally attracted paparazzi attention.
I instinctively took Kevin's arm, years of social training automatically kicking in.
Even the moderately priced dress seemed transformed into haute couture when draped on my frame.
"Alice, welcome back to where you belong."
As the guests of honor at Kevin's homecoming banquet, we entered to dimmed lights and a dramatic spotlight.
"Would you honor me with the first dance? After all, you were the one who taught me to waltz."
I nodded, accepting his reasonable request.
Under the spotlights, our dancing figures seemed almost ethereal.
The crowd watched, mesmerized, murmuring, "They're perfect together. Kevin's wedding can't be far off."
My moment of glory was short-lived. Through the crowd, I spotted Alexander Hart.
Beside him stood the stunning, porcelain-skinned superstar Lauren Summers.
Lauren, a former child star, had blossomed into perfection, while I had fallen from grace—from privileged beauty to ordinary woman.
Alexander's intense gaze bore into me, intimidating without a hint of visible emotion.
I felt the shameful sting of being caught in an affair. I dropped Kevin's hand and fled toward the restroom.
I splashed cold water on my face, staring at my unremarkable reflection. Who was I kidding, pretending to belong in the spotlight?
After composing myself, I planned to make a quick apology to Kevin before slipping away.
Instead, I found Alexander Hart leaning against the wall outside, obviously having waited for me.
I remembered our agreement—in public, we were to act like strangers.
As I attempted to walk past him, he grabbed my arm.
He pulled me into a secluded corner of the women's restroom. "Mrs. Hart, shouldn't you be at home working on your design draft? Or dealing with that car accident of yours?"
I scratched my head awkwardly. "It was an emergency—my friend needed a dance partner. Shouldn't you be with your grandmother right now? Why are you at a banquet with a famous actress?"
"Claire Sanders, there are certain privileges I have that you do not. Understand?"
I nodded. "Of course. Next time you need a dance partner, feel free to hire me. I worked at a club once—I know plenty of dance styles."
"Not necessary. I have a regular partner. Your amateur skills wouldn't impress anyone. Go home now. This is a family gathering—it would be awkward if my grandmother saw you."
Family gathering? I'd never been invited to any Hart family events. Apart from his grandmother when she was critically ill, no one in his family had ever met me.
"Isn't this Kevin Pierce's welcome reception?"
"Yes. Kevin is my nephew."
