Chapter 15

When I returned home from the interview, Hugo was still waiting downstairs. He held a cigarette, his expression annoyed. His mobile phone rang repeatedly. He finally answered.

I felt a strange intuition that the call concerned me. Instead of confronting him, I secretly listened.

"Hugo, honey! Tell me, will you give Sophia's work to me or not?" Bella's sultry voice came from the phone.

"I'll give it to you, all of it!" Hugo coaxed patiently. "Even my life, if you want! But Sophia just lost her father, and I don't know how to ask"

"How is her father as important as my award?" Bella retorted. "Besides, you promised to marry me!"

Hugo hesitated—a rare sight. He thought a moment, then said, "All your award-winning designs were actually stolen from Sophia. If we suddenly marry, she won't willingly hand over her designs! Those resources are too valuable to waste!"

Bella huffed. "No way! I just want to marry you. And my mother already knows we're together; she's discussing a marriage alliance between her and the Swinton family's second young master!"

"But what if Sophia doesn't agree?" Hugo asked.

Bella sneered. "How is that possible? If she doesn't agree, my mother has plenty of ways to take her father's inheritance! If you're worried she'll find out, we can have a secret wedding."

"Alright, alright! I promise you!" Hugo conceded.

Bella blew a kiss into the phone. "Oh darling, you're the best! Let's get our marriage certificate tomorrow!"

Standing at the doorway, I felt numb with pain. I had been dating Hugo for five years, envisioning a future and marriage with him. Throughout our relationship, he’d given my design drafts to Bella, claiming he was protecting her and that we should help her career. Hopelessly in love, I'd fallen for his words, unable to refuse him.

But I never imagined he was only with me to obtain my designs. Even the piece Bella used in the city-level jewelry competition was mine. I have a natural talent for jewelry design; my casual drafts easily win awards.

Each time I gave Bella a design, I consoled myself: It's okay, I'm still young. I can create even better designs.

Today, Bella is a successful designer, winning awards and serving as Hugo's personal secretary. I, however, am an unknown, a full-time housewife caring for Hugo, unable to secure even the simplest job.

Even more unbelievable, my mother, who knew about their affair, helped them hide it. She even wanted to marry me off to the Swinton family's second young master—a notorious person! But I couldn't abandon my father's inheritance; it's all he left me.