Since Gael had told her that they would be staying the night, Andrea had brought extra wear for both herself and Kai.
After dressing up Kai in fresh clothes, she showered him with kisses and said, "My baby is good to go."
She glanced at her husband, who was busy on a call, and realized that despite living under the same roof for a month, they had never truly spoken.
It's not like she has not tried, but whenever she begins one, he finds a way to shut her down before she could go any further. It was like he didn't want to know her or feel any attachment to either her or Kai.
If this was the case, then why had he helped her with Kai last night?
"Stop staring at me," Gael said as he ended the call.
Andrea quickly looked away when she noticed that she had been caught. She then frowned and looked back at him, saying, "Why did you ask me not to bring Kai's stroller? I can't carry him all day long."
Gael sighed and said, "Grandfather wanted to gift him one, but after seeing it, I rejected it."
"Why?"
"The old man had brought a stroller made of diamonds. It made me wonder if his plan was to get the kid kidnapped."
The only thing Andrea could think of as he spoke was how rich the family was, because why would anyone waste so much money on a diamond stroller?
"We should get going," Gael said as he stood up.
"I have something to ask you."
"Go ahead." Gael replied; he could see that Kai was already sleeping soundly after taking a bath.
"I appreciate your help with Kai, and I'd like to treat you to a meal so we can talk and get to know each other better," Andrea said.
Gael frowned. "Is that really necessary? I think we're fine as we are."
"I don't think so," Andrea replied. "You're the only one in Henrick's family who knows the truth. I know it's selfish, but sometimes I just need to talk about him with someone. And I think you feel the same way."
Gael was quiet for a moment before saying, "Diana has a day to pack her things from Zarion High, which means you start tomorrow. When you get back, we can have a drink. We'll talk about Henrick, and you can also tell me how shitty your day was."
Andrea chuckled. "Deal."
"Let's go," Gael said, turning to leave. Andrea followed behind him.
...
Raya, on the other hand, could not stop thinking about Gael.
When she saw Hannah going to the Gael room with a bottle, she had stopped her and asked her to give her the bottle instead. After last night, she just wanted to get a glimpse of him again, but seeing him shirtless and comfortable in the same room with another woman made her realize the hurtful truth: that no part of him belonged to her anymore.
"Is Gael the reason for those tears?" A voice asked in a mocking tone.
Raya turned to see Lucas standing at the door. She had not noticed the time he came in, nor did she even realize that she was crying.
She immediately cleaned her tears and said, "Something got into my eyes."
Lucas sneered in disgust, "You are now my wife and have been so for two years, so I think it's a little too late for you to start missing Gael again."
Raya glared at him as she said, "I do not know what you are talking about."
Lucas walked closer to her and held her tightly as he warned, "Do not embarrass me, Raya. And for once in your life, have some respect for yourself. I mean, don't you feel pathetic to be here crying over a man you cheated on?"
Anger flashed in Raya's eyes as she raised her hand to slap Minzhe.
"I was drugged, and you were aware of that when you slept with me. You knew Gael and I were together, but yet, you still went ahead to... Disgusting!"
Lucas scoffed and said, "You look calm and innocent, but no one actually knows how crazy you are. Is that the story you have convinced yourself to go with? That I drugged you and then took advantage of you?"
Raya looked away, not ready to hear anything from him, but Lucas held her chin, forcing her to look at him as he said, "You knew of my feelings for you, and that is why you invited me to have a drink with you. You wanted to use me to make him jealous, and when it backfired on you, you convinced yourself that you are the victim in this situation."
"Why then are we still in this marriage? Since we can't stand each other, then it's best we get a divorce." Raya said, hoping that he would agree, but her hope shattered when Lucas let go of her chin and began laughing like a madman.
Lucas laughed as if he had just heard a funny joke, and after a while, he calmed down; his gaze on Raya became cold as he said, "I will never grant you that satisfaction, and I'm sure you already know it. A woman like you who got rid of her unborn child deserves nothing but pain and torment for the rest of her life."
Raya's eyes welled up at the mention of the child she had lost. Her lips curled into a sick smile as she said, "Say whatever you want, but I regret nothing because I would rather die than birth your child."
Lucas looked at her with pity in his gaze before leaving.
Left alone in the room, the tears Raya was holding suddenly fell, and she thought to herself that if she had not gone to that party two years ago, if she had not been obsessed with wanting to see Gael jealous and possessive over her, then she wouldn't be living like this today. She would have not only been his wife but also the mother of his child, but now, even if she finds a way out of this marriage, Gael will never accept her back into his life.