I was now seated beside Nathan as we all dined, my gaze drifting to Lucas, whose eyes didn't meet mine for a second. It was as though he was deliberately ignoring me for a reason I could not fathom. How could he act that way toward me when he was the one who abandoned me?
Watching him behave like that made me remember my mother's words. She always said men were all the same and that nothing you did for them would make them stay. I never believed her, but right now, I was forced to.
"So, Jane, what do you do for a living?" I heard my mother-in-law ask, and I lifted my gaze to her.
"I worked as a secretary in a textile company," I answered, knowing it was a lie. Nathan had given me a pamphlet containing my new profile upon signing the contract, and I had memorized everything. I didn't like that I had to change my identity, but since it was only a contract marriage, I figured it was for the best. I wouldn't have any problem resuming my life after the three-month period.
My gaze accidentally landed on a beautiful young lady sitting beside my mother-in-law, and the hatred in her eyes toward me was unmistakable. Her eyes were red and swollen, as though she had been crying, and I soon understood why. Nathan had told me the reason he wanted to enter a fake marriage was to avoid marrying someone he didn't love. She must be that person.
"Worked?" My mother-in-law repeated, and I returned my gaze to her.
"Yes. Nathan loves me so much and wouldn't let me work, so I stopped," I replied, and she scoffed.
"So, a spoiled brat," she muttered, shaking her head, and my smile faded. Nathan turned to me and blinked, and I instantly knew what he wanted. I picked up my spoon and continued eating, ignoring her.
"Where is your wife? You should have come with her," my mother-in-law said, and I raised my head, following her gaze. I gulped, repeating the word wife in my head. Lucas was married? I knew it had been years, but hearing that he was married made my heart ache. I shouldn't have been worried or sad, but once again, my stupid heart refused to follow my mind. I had thought I was finally over him, that I wouldn't be swayed even if he got on his knees begging me. Yet, after five years, my heart still beats for him. I was hopeless and hated myself for being so naive. He didn't even look concerned about my marriage with his brother, yet here I was, heartbroken that my ex was married.
"I will go get her," Lucas replied casually and rose to his feet, about to leave when the door suddenly burst open.
"I am so sorry for being late," a woman who looked about my age said as she walked in, apologizing to my mother-in-law.
"You still can't control your husband after all these years. Why am I so unlucky with daughters-in-law?" Mother said, and the beautiful lady sitting beside her moved to comfort her.
I cringed at the sight and felt sorry for Lucas's wife, but I reminded myself it wasn't my place to speak.
"Take a seat," Lucas told her. She nodded and walked toward him. He pulled out the chair for her, and she sat calmly, murmuring a soft thank you.
I watched as the entire scene unfolded, my chest tightening. It reminded me of when we were once lovey-dovey. I would never have imagined us separating.
"You have gotten even more beautiful, sister-in-law. It seems my brother is taking good care of you," Nathan said.
"You have grown even more handsome too. Is this my sister-in-law's doing?" The lady replied, smiling brightly, her beauty shining through. I suddenly felt intimidated and averted my gaze. It seemed Lucas had truly moved on, and I was the only one still reminiscing about the past.
"Yes, she is. Jane, meet my brother's wife, Catherine. Catherine, my wife, Jane," Nathan introduced us, and I lifted my gaze to her, smiling politely.
"Hi, sister-in-law. Thank you for taking care of my brother-in-law. Now I see why he keeps gatekeeping you, you are really beautiful," Catherine said sincerely, her genuine tone making me feel uncomfortable. She harbored no resentment toward me and seemed truly kind. Besides, not even my family knew about my past relationship with Lucas, so there was no way Catherine knew who I was.
"Thank you for the compliment. You are beautiful too," I replied.
"When are you leaving?" My mother-in-law cut in, clearly irritated by our interaction.
"Tomorrow," Nathan answered. The word tomorrow echoed in my mind as reality sank in. Yes, once I left tomorrow, I wouldn't see him again, and it would all be over. I would return to my normal routine for the next three months and finally part ways with Nathan after securing my son's operation fee.
"So fast? You spend your days frivolously in the human world, and when you finally return home, you are only staying for a day? Having unlucky daughters-in-law wasn't enough, now my sons give me headaches," my mother-in-law said dramatically, and I almost rolled my eyes.
"Thankfully, my grandson is on the way. That will comfort me," she added, and Catherine smiled, placing a hand on her stomach.
I didn't know what came over me, but my spoon slipped from my hand, clattering loudly against the ceramic plate. I couldn't tell if I was sad, shocked, angry, or disappointed, but the news affected me more than I cared to admit.
"Are you okay?" Nathan asked, and I shook my head, stuttering, "I…I need to use the restroom."
"I will take you," Nathan offered, already standing.
I rose, and he led me out of the hall.
Inside the restroom, I stared at my reflection, barely recognizing the woman staring back at me. I knew I shouldn't be feeling this way, especially after five years, but it hurt knowing he had moved on while I struggled to. It hurt seeing him perfectly fine while I fought to keep our son alive. If I hadn't been unable to give up my son, I wouldn't be living such a miserable life. I felt betrayed seeing him live a perfect life while I was going through hell to cater for our son.
The door creaked open, and I turned toward it, calling, "Nathan?" When there was no response, I moved toward the exit but stumbled back when my gaze met his, my heart skipping a beat.
"Your husband has returned to the hall," he said, and my eyes dropped to his lips, full and dangerously alluring, making me gulp. I told myself I wasn't going to fall for it again and lowered my gaze.
"I will get back to him," I said, trying to avoid doing something I would regret, but he stepped forward, forcing me back until my hips hit the edge of the sink.
"What's the rush? I won't bite…yet."