The days after Samantha's sharp intrusion at the Cole mansion passed in heavy silence. Elara and Adrian moved around each other as though bound by invisible glass walls—close enough to feel the tension, yet too distant to touch.
Elara buried herself in her café, working longer hours than usual. She smiled for customers, laughed with Clara and Maya, but at the end of each day, her heart still sank when she returned to Adrian's mansion. Adrian, for his part, remained cold and unreadable, drowning himself in meetings and business calls from Cole Enterprises, as though silence could erase what had happened.
Neither spoke of Samantha. Neither spoke of the sting Elara felt when Adrian had remained silent at the breakfast table. And yet, that silence seemed to say everything.
---
By the weekend, the mansion garden had transformed into a celebration. White and gold balloons floated over neatly arranged tables, fairy lights twinkled in the morning sunlight, and a large board stood at the center with bold letters: "HeorShe?"
Guests arrived in fine clothes, their chatter filling the air. Helena glowed beside Lucas, her happiness infectious as she welcomed relatives, friends, and even some of Adrian's business associates.
Elara moved gracefully among the guests, making sure everything was in place. Her lilac dress brushed against her ankles as she adjusted trays of pastries and checked the drinks table. She forced herself to stay focused on the little details—it was easier than dwelling on the storm she carried inside.
Helena noticed and leaned in with a warm smile. "Elara, you're such a lifesaver. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"I'm happy to help," Elara replied softly.
Across the lawn, Adrian stood with Lucas, entertaining a group of investors. He looked effortlessly composed in his navy suit, his expression unreadable. Yet every so often, his gaze drifted toward Elara. He noticed the way she moved with quiet elegance, how her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. But, as always, he kept his distance.
---
The party began to take shape as laughter floated through the air. Helena's parents mingled with relatives, while the younger guests placed playful bets about whether the baby would be a boy or girl.
"Elara," Helena called, drawing her close. "Come take a picture with me."
They posed together, Helena radiant, Elara glowing beside her. Lucas joined them, slipping an arm around Helena's waist as the photographer captured the moment.
Adrian was invited into the frame too, and for a brief moment, they looked like a family united—Lucas and Helena with their new life ahead, Adrian standing tall, and Elara by his side, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.
When the camera clicked, Elara felt a pang in her chest. She smiled for the photo, but the truth lingered inside her—she was still an outsider in this world.
---
Later, as trays of champagne glasses were passed around, Elara found herself at the refreshment table, placing fresh napkins when she heard whispers behind her.
"Is that Adrian's wife?"
"She's beautiful… but so quiet."
"I heard their marriage was sudden. Strange, isn't it?"
Elara's fingers tightened around the stack of napkins. She forced herself to keep calm, pretending not to hear. But inside, her heart burned.
Then Helena appeared, sliding beside her with a reassuring smile. "Ignore them," she whispered. "People will always talk. But today isn't about them—it's about family."
Elara's chest eased, and she managed a small, grateful nod.
---
The cheer of the crowd was at its peak. Helena and Lucas were preparing to open the giant balloon box that would reveal the baby's gender. Guests clapped, laughter filled the air, and anticipation sparkled on Helena's face.
Then the sound of heels clicking against the stone path cut through the noise.
Heads turned.
Samantha.
She walked into the garden as if she owned it, her red dress a stark flame against the pastel decorations. And she wasn't alone. Her hand clung to the arm of a man, tall and sharp-featured, with a confident smirk on his lips.
Elara's heart dropped.
Daniel Carter.
Her ex-boyfriend. The man who had broken her heart before she left for the city.
"Hello, everyone," Samantha's voice carried, honeyed yet sharp. She tilted her head with a smirk. "I hope you don't mind me joining this little family affair. And… this is Daniel, my date."
Whispers erupted. Guests leaned into one another, exchanging surprised glances.
Elara's chest tightened. Her fingers gripped the edge of her glass until her knuckles turned white. Of all people, why him? Memories she had buried clawed back to the surface—the betrayal, the humiliation, the pain she thought she had left behind.
"Daniel Carter?" someone muttered in disbelief. "With Samantha Cole?"
Samantha's smirk widened when her eyes landed on Elara. Victory flickered in her gaze, as though this was all planned—for her.
Elara forced herself to stand tall, her lips curving into a fragile smile. She would not let Samantha see her break. Not here. Not today.
Across the garden, Adrian's jaw tightened. His eyes, cold and unreadable, lingered on Elara for a brief moment before shifting to Samantha and Daniel. A storm brewed behind his composed mask, but he said nothing.
Helena, sensing the heavy silence creeping into her celebration, quickly clapped her hands together.
"Alright, everyone!" she said cheerfully, pulling the attention back to herself and Lucas. "Let's not get distracted—we're here to find out if we're having a little prince or princess!"
The crowd cheered, the tension thinning though not vanishing. Elara exhaled quietly, grateful for Helena's timely rescue.
Still, as she glanced at Samantha's smug smile and Daniel's familiar face, Elara felt a sting deeper than words.
For once, she wasn't sure who hurt her more—the ex who had betrayed her… or the husband who stayed silent beside her.