Chapter 3

Orion leaned in, his voice a low murmur in my ear. “Everyone is watching us. Don’t make a scene. If you have something to say, we’ll talk at home.”

The forced calm in his tone made my chest tighten, but I bit back my response.

“Alright, alright,” Marigold’s voice cut through the awkward silence. “Which one of you didn’t give birth to a baby while pregnant? Let’s stop the jokes now.”

Her sharp reprimand silenced the room, drawing attention back to her as she reached into a gift bag. With a practiced smile, she pulled out a dress and extended it toward me.

“Lucinda, this is our first time meeting. I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I picked a dress for you.” She paused, holding it up against me with a slight frown. “Oh no, I forgot you’re pregnant. I must’ve picked something too small. My apologies.”

Her feigned remorse churned my stomach, but I managed a tight smile. “Miss Ashford, how thoughtful of you.”

I didn’t make a move to take the dress. Orion stepped in immediately, grabbing it for me. “Of course, we appreciate it,” he said quickly.

Marigold’s fingers toyed with the necklace around her neck—a delicate piece I once thought was meant for me. My heart clenched as she smiled coyly. “Orion, you’re too kind. You knew I was coming back and prepared this necklace as a gift for me. Using Lucinda’s name, though? That’s quite clever.”

My fingers curled into my skirt. The necklace had been in a box on my dresser for weeks. I’d admired it, thinking Orion had chosen it for me. Now it gleamed mockingly against her skin.

Orion’s face reddened as he awkwardly slid into the main seat. Before I could process the humiliation, Marigold settled beside him, her movements deliberate.

“Lucinda,” she said sweetly, “that seat faces the air conditioner. You should sit over there—it’s better for you.”

Her words carried a double meaning that stung sharper than any insult. Even if I were oblivious, her intent was clear.

The others chimed in, their voices light but dripping with subtext:

“Our school beauty is still so gentle and considerate.”

“Marigold, there must have been so many guys chasing you abroad!”

“Too bad for Orion—he had no chance back then!”

Orion appeared to focus on picking up food, but I knew him too well. He was hanging on every word.

Marigold smiled at their teasing, her eyes sparkling with feigned modesty. “Of course, but it’s a shame—I already had someone in my heart.”

She glanced at Orion, her gaze lingering. The sweetness in her expression was unbearable.

Then, almost casually, she plucked a shrimp from the platter and placed it in her bowl, pausing for dramatic effect.

“Marigold,” Orion said immediately, his tone filled with concern, “you’re allergic to shrimp.”

Her eyes lit up with delight. “Oh, Orion, after all these years, you still remember?”

The room erupted in laughter again, the sound grating against my ears. My stomach twisted painfully as I glanced at Orion.

Seeing my hand resting on my stomach, Orion seemed to realize something. His expression softened as he asked, “What’s wrong? Is my son not feeling well?”

I smiled faintly, masking the bitterness rising in my chest. “Why, don’t you like the idea of having a daughter instead?”

“How could that be? I’ll love our child, boy or girl,” he said, his tone overly sweet as he placed food on my plate.

When he mentioned the baby, his demeanor shifted. His voice lowered, and he began whispering his usual string of affectionate words, the kind he used to smooth things over. Once, they might have comforted me. Now, they felt hollow.

Feigning illness, I excused myself from the ridiculous dinner, leaving behind the laughter and stolen glances.

Marigold, always the picture of concern, insisted on coming home with us. Orion, caught between us, had no choice but to cut the evening short and drive us back.

When we reached the car, Marigold was already settled comfortably in the passenger seat. She turned with an apologetic smile.

“Lucinda, I’m sorry. My stomach feels a little off. You don’t mind me sitting up front, do you?”

Her words dripped with false modesty.

“Whatever you want,” I replied, stepping into the back seat.

She was trying to provoke me, I knew that much. And perhaps yesterday, I might have fallen for it, letting anger flare. But today? Today, I didn’t care. I didn’t care for this petty game, nor for the man at the center of it.

“I told you she wouldn’t mind,” Marigold said brightly, turning toward Orion. “She’s always been so generous.”

Their laughter filled the car as they reminisced about their past—memories that didn’t include me.

I sat in silence, an outsider in my own life.

From the back seat, I caught Orion’s gaze in the rearview mirror. His eyes sparkled with warmth—directed entirely at Marigold’s smile. It was as though he had forgotten I was there, his wife, mere inches away.

I shifted my gaze out the window, feeling the cold distance stretched wider between us with each passing moment.

When we finally arrived, Marigold turned to me with a saccharine smile. “Lucinda, let me add your contact info. I’ve just returned, and I’d hate to bother Orion too much. If there’s anything I need, I’ll reach out to you first.”