Chapter 3

Leah and I stood on either side of Victoria Moretti.

The guests stared at me with strange expressions, whispers buzzing like flies.

"Elena's changed, hasn't she? This isn't like her."

"She would've flipped the table in the past. Why is she so calm today?"

While the crowd murmured in confusion, Victoria beamed with joy and raised her glass.

"I have wonderful news to share with you all. My daughter-in-law, Leah, is three months pregnant. The family doctor confirmed—it's a boy. This is a double blessing for the Moretti family."

The room erupted in sycophantic applause. Among the elite, such announcements were routine. But few families would humiliate their daughter-in-law so brazenly in public.

Leah lowered her eyes, feigning shyness. Ricardo wrapped an arm around her shoulders, smiling like a man who believed he had everything.

I stood beside them like a fool, the forgotten wife turned spectacle.

Finally, I spoke. "I had intended to wait until after Victoria's birthday to bring up dissolving the marriage contract. But since Leah is already pregnant, we can't let her child carry the stigma of being illegitimate. So I believe now is the right time."

I looked toward Sophia Rossi, our family lawyer. She understood immediately, stepping forward and handing the annulment agreement to Ricardo.

He frowned, stunned, his eyes sharp as knives as he studied me. "Are you causing a scene again?"

I smiled faintly, my voice steady and quiet. "I'm completely serious. Or is this your way of loving Leah—by keeping her a mistress forever?"

My stillness shook him. There was nothing behind my gaze, only a blank, unmoving calm.

He once believed I would never leave him, not even in death. But now, I stood before him—calm, determined, and ready to walk away.

He was speechless. He loved Leah too much to say a single word that might wound her.

The room fell silent, every guest holding their breath, waiting for his response.

Leah stared at him, unblinking.

After just two seconds of hesitation, she couldn't hold back. She stepped forward, her voice trembling with false vulnerability.

"Ricardo, don't put yourself in a difficult spot. I know I don't come from a family that matches yours. I'll take care of the baby. I'm fine staying in the shadows forever."

She paused, then added with a soft sob, "But honestly, I don't want my child called a 'bastard' or an 'illegitimate.'"

"So I'll give him up."

Ricardo panicked. He reached for her hand, his voice rising in urgency. "Don't say that! He's the symbol of our love—he's my firstborn. No one will call him illegitimate. I'll give him the highest status."

I gave a look of gentle approval. "That's more like a man. Now sign it."

Under pressure from both Leah and me, Ricardo picked up the pen. Without even glancing at the document, he signed his name.

He leaned close, his voice low enough for only me to hear. "Once Leah has the baby, I'll remarry you. Just wait a little longer. I won't abandon you."

I remained calm, a quiet sense of freedom rising in my chest.

Ricardo, I don't want you anymore.

Not now. Not ever.