Chapter 2
Beatrice arrived early at Echo Coffee House, choosing a window seat to watch people pass by outside, lost in thought.
"Bea." That familiar yet strange voice sounded above her.
She looked up to see Lucius, whom she hadn't seen in five years. Time had left its mark on him. The once awkward boy now stood before her in a tailored suit, his demeanor cool and distant. Only his eyes remained as she remembered them.
Lucius pulled a small, elegant box from his inner pocket and gently placed it before her. Inside lay a diamond ring—a brilliant center stone surrounded by tiny heart-shaped pink crystals.
She caught her breath. The design was unmistakable. It was the necklace sketch she'd created for her "Eternity" collection during junior year.
Back then, Lucius had said he wanted to enter it in a design competition. Later, she discovered he'd sold all her sketches to Frederick in exchange for ten million dollars and that recommendation letter.
"How did you—"
"I had someone buy it back for me." Lucius's voice was soft. "Bea, I can protect you now. Divorce him and be with me. I'll make you happy."
Beatrice slowly closed the box and pushed it back toward him.
She then pulled out another small box from her purse and emptied its contents—the Cartier bracelet, a small model, several photos, and those love letters they'd exchanged before dating in college. Relics of a romance that had long since expired.
"I'm returning these to you."
Lucius stared at the items on the table, his expression darkening. "Bea, are you still upset about me leaving back then?"
"No." Beatrice shook her head. "It's just that I'm married to Frederick now."
"Do you love him?" Lucius suddenly asked. "Beatrice, tell me, do you love Frederick?"
Beatrice didn't answer, just looked down at her hands. "You've changed," she said quietly.
"A loveless marriage has no reason to continue!" Lucius pressed on. "Aren't you trying to register your jewelry brand? The process keeps stalling, yet you don't dare ask Frederick for help. If you marry me, I can solve all these problems for you. No one will truly help you except me."
His words made Beatrice look up. She remembered years ago, after her adoptive father beat her, how Lucius would climb to her window, tend to her wounds, and stay with her until dawn. Back then, he would say, "Don't cry, Bea. You still have me."
But now? Even his declaration of love sounded like a business proposal. She hadn't mentioned the brand registration to Frederick simply because she didn't want to burden him further. He'd already done so much for her.
Beatrice sighed and stood up. "Lucius, I've returned your things. I hope we won't see each other again."
Lucius jumped to his feet, reaching for her hand, but Beatrice avoided his touch.
"Beatrice!"
His voice was cut off by the coffee shop's heavy glass door. Beatrice didn't look back, walking quickly as if fleeing from something.
...
When she returned to the villa, darkness had completely fallen. The moment she opened the door, a rich aroma of home cooking enveloped her, instantly dispelling the chill she'd brought in from outside.
Beatrice froze in the entryway. Frederick rarely cooked, so today was...
"You're back?" Frederick's deep voice came from the kitchen.
Beatrice looked toward the sound. Frederick was walking out, wearing an incongruously gray apron over his expensive tailored pants. The image was somewhat comical, yet it made her heart skip a beat.
"You cooked?" Beatrice's voice sounded distant, as if she suspected she'd entered the wrong house.
Frederick untied the apron and draped it over a chair. "Yes. Go wash your hands. Dinner's ready."
The table was set with four dishes and a soup—all her favorites.
Beatrice sat down and took a bite of sweet and sour meatballs. The tangy flavor burst perfectly on her tongue. He'd remembered she didn't like green onions and had made every dish she'd ever casually mentioned.
"Is it good?" Frederick watched her, his emotions hidden behind his glasses.
"It's delicious!" She nodded, then remembered something. "By the way, today I—"
Frederick cut her off. "Eat first," he said, serving her more food, his tone neutral. "We're celebrating today."
Celebrating? Beatrice looked puzzled. "Celebrating what?"
"Your personal jewelry brand. The registration went through." Frederick spoke casually, as if merely commenting on nice weather.
Beatrice dropped her utensils onto her plate. She stared at him intently. "What did you say? How is that possible? I asked, and they said the process was extremely complicated. I didn't want to trouble you, so I never mentioned it..."
"It wasn't complicated. Just a phone call." Frederick ladled soup into a bowl and placed it before her.
Steam clouded Beatrice's eyes. He was so good to her, quietly solving all her problems. And what had she done? Today she'd met with Lucius—the same Lucius who had used her work as a bargaining chip.
If Frederick found out, what would he think? Would he believe she was just like Lucius—someone who would betray trust for personal gain? The thought chilled her to the bone.
"Where did you go today?" Frederick suddenly asked.
Beatrice's heart raced. She kept her head down, speaking softly, "I was preparing for the design competition, busy in the studio. Didn't go anywhere else."
Frederick's movements paused noticeably, but he continued eating without further questions.
Beatrice could feel the temperature in the room drop several degrees. What she didn't know was that Frederick had already received his assistant's report and knew perfectly well she'd met with Lucius.
After dinner, Frederick began clearing the dishes. When Beatrice tried to help, he refused.
"I have a video conference to attend. You should get some rest," he said after putting the dishes down.
"A meeting this late?"
"Yes, due to the time difference with Sovereign City." Frederick untied his apron. "It might run late. Don't wait up for me."
With that, he went upstairs to his study. Beatrice sat in the living room, watching the light from his study upstairs, feeling uneasy.
Frederick was angry. Though he hadn't said anything, she could feel it.
At eleven, Beatrice went upstairs after washing up. Passing the study, she could still hear Frederick's cool, pleasant voice inside.
She stood at the door for a moment but ultimately didn't knock, returning to the master bedroom instead.
Lying in bed, Beatrice tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
At midnight, she heard the study door open, followed by Frederick's footsteps—not heading toward the master bedroom, but to the guest room.
Beatrice was taken aback. Throughout their marriage, except when staying at the Stuart Manor, it was always she who went to the guest room. Frederick had never once slept there.
He was so attentive and considerate toward her, even buying this house specifically to shorten her commute to the studio. He'd arranged for staff to handle meals and housekeeping.
As his wife, she already felt inadequate—how could she let him sleep in the guest room?
Beatrice put on a cardigan and tiptoed to the guest room door. When Frederick saw Beatrice's slightly dark-circled eyes, his brow furrowed.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Beatrice approached the bed and reached for his hand. "Go back to the master bedroom. I'll sleep here."
Frederick's hand stiffened before he slowly withdrew it. "No need."
"Frederick, are you angry?" Beatrice asked directly. "If it's because today I—"
"You what?" Frederick looked at her, his eyes unfathomably deep.
Beatrice opened her mouth but couldn't finish her sentence. She lowered her head, her voice barely audible. "Anyway, I should sleep here. You're exhausted from work—you'll rest better in the master bedroom."
Seeing her hesitation, Frederick understood she still intended to hide her meeting with Lucius. He took Beatrice's hand and coldly led her away from the guest room. "Good night."
The door closed in Beatrice's face, and she heard the sound of the lock turning.
Beatrice's thoughts were in turmoil. She picked up her phone to text Frederick an apology. As soon as she unlocked the screen, she saw a breaking news notification:
#SHOCKING: Actress Letitia Morgan's Public Proposal to Financial Prodigy Lucius Jones Rejected! Jones Claims Saving Himself for His First Love.
Beatrice was so startled she nearly threw her phone across the room.