Chapter 1
754words
Jade's face instantly flushed crimson, her hands protectively cradling her belly as she backed away.
I'd already lost interest. I removed the necklace and handed it casually to the nanny standing nearby.
"I've seen plenty of girls like you before, each thinking they're Ethan's final conquest."
Jade stumbled backward, steadying herself against the coffee table while struggling to maintain her haughty posture.
"Ethan doesn't love you at all. Playing the role of Mrs. Grant—don't you feel like a complete joke?"
"He only married you for your family's influence! In his heart, it's always been me—only me!"
I looked at her and raised an eyebrow, my voice laced with mockery.
"Miss Sheridan, I suggest you wake up. Ethan's true feelings have never been worth much."
Even though Jade was supposedly Ethan's true love, he still turned around and married me for his own benefit.
At our wedding, Jade knelt in the pouring rain outside the hotel. Ethan didn't even bother to glance her way.
"As for whether it's a joke or not, I hardly think an outsider like you has any right to comment."
Suddenly, the rumble of a car engine cut through the air. Jade rushed to the window as if grasping for a lifeline.
"Ethan's here! He'll make you apologize to me, then divorce you to marry me. Just you wait and see!"
I shrugged indifferently. Ethan walked in with his tie slightly askew—no doubt the handiwork of some lovely lady.
"Ethan!" Jade immediately threw herself at him, tears falling on command. "Iris said the blue diamond you gave me is fake. She must be jealous! You know I don't care about the value—but it's from you..."
Ethan instinctively sheltered her behind him, shooting me a displeased look as he spoke impatiently.
"Iris, what nonsense are you feeding Jade now? Don't you know she's pregnant?"
I picked up my tea from the coffee table and gently blew across the surface, not bothering to give him a glance.
Ethan's tone darkened, his eyes narrowing with impatience.
"Jade is in no condition to be upset right now. Since you're playing the role of Mrs. Grant, couldn't you show a little class?"
As he spoke, he reached out to wipe away Jade's tears. "Sweetheart, don't cry. It's not good for the baby. I know you've been wronged."
"Ethan, you have to stand up for me..." Jade nestled into his arms, her eyes meeting mine with a challenging glare.
Ethan shot me a cold look, then softly comforted Jade.
"Be good, Jade. I have some matters to attend to. Let the driver take you home, and I'll join you shortly."
Jade nodded obediently, flashing me a smug look before leaving.
The moment the door closed, the gentleness vanished from Ethan's face, his tone turning scornful.
"Iris, why bother arguing with her? Jade is pure-hearted, unlike you with your mind full of schemes."
I set down my celadon teacup, my voice cool. "How nice that you still remember the way back to the Grant family home."
"Iris," he rubbed his brow irritably as he emphasized,
"We agreed before marriage—I won't question your affairs, and you don't interfere with mine!"
"I don't meddle with your romantic entanglements, but that doesn't mean I'll let your mistress—pregnant with God knows whose child—come into my home and cause trouble."
I stood up and walked over to adjust his tie, my voice carrying a hint of playfulness.
"I'm doing you a favor by making them face reality, take their payoff, and disappear quietly. After all, the Grant family name isn't something your little songbirds deserve to wear."
Ethan grabbed my wrist with such force that I winced slightly.
"Iris, you're really overstepping your boundaries!"
I yanked my hand free, my voice turning to ice.
"Ethan, everything you have now exists because of our marriage. Don't bite the hand that feeds you."
Ethan's eyes darkened, as if I'd struck a nerve. He opened his mouth but couldn't find a retort.
Just then, his phone rang, "Jade" flashing repeatedly on the screen.
Ethan immediately answered, his voice instantly softening.
"Jade, what's wrong? Don't cry, baby. Tell me slowly... Okay, I'll be right there."
After hanging up, he looked at me, his tone commanding.
"Jade's at the door and refuses to leave. Says you humiliated her and wants you to apologize in person."
"So?" I replied indifferently.
"So go say something nice to her. Make her feel better so she'll go home."
Ethan said it as if it were perfectly reasonable.
