One Month Later.
At the dining table, Selina grinned, her joy illuminating her features like a woman who had just won the lottery. Her application to IRIS LUXE had finally been accepted.
It wasn't just a company to her; it held countless memories of her parents' struggles, survival, and sacrifices that contributed to its growth and foundation.
"I can see you're over the moon, Ms Selina. You look beautiful," said Eloise, who was helping set the dining table.
She glanced at her madam, who was dressed in a white satin blouse tucked into a black pencil skirt that stopped above her knees, looking appropriate in her formal attire while accentuating her figure.
Selina lifted her gaze to her. "Absolutely! I have to be. It feels like a huge part of my dreams is coming true."
Eloise smiled warmly, relieved to see Selina so excited since receiving the acceptance email.
"So, when's the interview?" Eloise asked.
"Today, at 9 am," Selina replied, placing the last plate on the table.
"That means you need to eat well! You've been skipping meals lately. You even look a bit pale. Are you sure you're not sick?" Eloise asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously at Selina. She swept her gaze over Selina's body.
Selina's hands paused; her smile almost faltered, but she quickly forced it back.
"I'm not sick. Just a slight fever," she said, waving off the concern.
Eloise nodded. Just as she was about to leave Selina to enjoy her meal, a troubling thought made her stop.
"Selina, are you sure you're not going to make something for Master Zane? He's already upset and refusing the meals I've prepared. I can't face him at the office today," Eloise lamented, recalling how coldly Zane had dismissed her. Sometimes, he wouldn't even allow her into his office if he knew the food wasn't from Selina.
This time, Selina's smile disappeared completely at the mention of Zane. They hadn't seen each other for a few days.
A month. He hadn't dropped home since then.
"Why worry about an adult? Let him starve if he chooses not to eat what you or his hotel offers," she said coldly, pulling out a chair with a screech.
"But… he's returning to the mansion tonight. We need to go to the grocery store for his dinner. How are you going to face him?" Eloise panicked, but Selina brushed off her worries.
"You worry too much, Mrs Eloise. Just stop delivering meals to him. Surely, he hasn't been starving all this time?" Selina muttered, knowing she needed to focus on filling her own empty stomach to look presentable for the interview, rather than fretting over that cold face.
As for that heartless, snobbish man—she couldn't care less anymore. While staying in the mansion as the scandal slowly faded, Selina focused on healing her broken heart by choosing to love herself more. She immersed herself in learning and sketching unique creations that spring from her imagination to keep her isolation at bay.
Yet in all, how things would unfold between her and Zane no longer troubled her. The only things that mattered now were herself, her happiness, and the passion she was finally able to pursue.
Eloise studied Selina for a moment, about to speak again, but words failed her. "But…"
No one had ever witnessed Zane truly angry. His cold, indifferent aura was terrifying enough to cause anyone's knees to go weak. She hoped her young mistress wouldn't do anything she would regret.
Selina munched her meal, looking up at Eloise. "You can join me. I made enough for both of us," she invited.
Eloise smiled, grateful. Her madam was the kindest person she had ever met, who never treated her poorly. She pulled out her chair and started digging in.
Selina scooped another spoonful, preparing to eat, when suddenly, a wave of nausea surged up her throat. She gripped her stomach tightly, her face twisting in discomfort as a bitter taste burned in her throat and her stomach churned. The smell alone made her feel as if she might vomit.
She sprang up, one hand covering her mouth to protect the marble floor, and rushed toward her room.
Eloise jolted in confusion, watching Selina hurry up the stairs.
As soon as she burst into her room and then into the bathroom, Selina leaned over the sink, emptying everything she had eaten that day. When it was over, she splashed cold water on her face and slowly raised her gaze to the mirror.
Her reflection stared back at her—a pale, damp, and weary face. This was the third time in a week, following her missed period, that she had felt this way.
Her eyes drifted to the small object resting on the sink—the pregnancy test kit she had used when she first suspected her symptoms. The sight of it twisted her stomach again, stirring up conflicting feelings.
She picked up the kit, staring at the two red lines. She was now six weeks gone.
Taking a long, steady breath, she murmured to herself, "Do I have to keep this baby when he claimed I was never fit to be the mother of his child?" she wondered, chest tightened with unease as Zane's indifferent words from that day pierced her head.
Selina slowly crouched on the floor, burying her head against her knees, trying to make sense of this impossible outcome.
"What am I going to do now? I can't get rid of this child, or beg him to have this baby together at least. I'm not financially stable enough to raise a child alone." She ruffled her hair, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her thoughts as she struggled to think clearly.
How naive did she toy with herself by not taking the pills just like he wanted?
And now she has been caught in a dilemma. She still didn't know how to live with the pregnancy without Zane knowing eventually. What tore at her was that she was about to end something so pure—and didn't want this child to suffer the same way she had—growing up in a storm of resentment and hate.
Lifting her hand to her flat belly, Selina rested it there, stroking her belly as if soothing the growing life inside her. "My baby, I promise to protect. I hope your Papa won't hate you the day he learned of the truth. But even though he does, I'll do my best to love you better. Every day," she whispered in determination.
Then, a familiar voice rang out across her, startling Selina. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Are you okay?"
Selina swiftly turned her head to face the cold-looking person standing in the bathroom doorway. The kit in her hands quickly snapped behind her.
When had he come? Did he see it? She thought, feeling anxious at the sight of his usual expressionless face.
She slowly rose to her feet.
Selina blinked hard, trying to regain her cold composure.
"Yes. I'm fine," she stammered, meeting his dubious stare.
When she felt his sharpened yet suspicious gaze trailing towards her hand behind her, she quickly added, "What are you doing in my room uninvited? Where are your manners, Mr Kaius?"
Yet he didn't move — only narrowed his eyes at her as the air around them grew slow and heavy, thick with unspoken tension.
Zane slipped his hands into the pockets of his pants before answering. "I've been knocking for a while, but you weren't answering. I need to check if everything is fine here."
Selina straightened her spine. "Do you have anything to say to me? If not, please use the door."
Zane's brows furrowed, taken aback by the icy tone of her voice.
"Why have you been refusing to do what's needed? It's been a month since I got your meal."
Such audacity! Selina scoffed inwardly.
"I'm not your nanny, Mr Kaius. If I chose to stop, you don't get to question it either," she asserted, her tone detached.
"Right. I'm used to your routine and forgot. Perhaps, you stopped lately to seek my attention?" he murmured, his tone taunting. "Funny enough, it did work, but it won't go exactly like you wanted."
Selina scoffed, grasping the fabric of her cloth on the side.
"Your attention means nothing to me. If I choose to stop, you shouldn't question me either. Leave," she ordered, her voice was sharp with dripping coldness that matched his.
He raised a brow, turning to leave.
Selina let out a long, relieved sigh. She had almost been caught. But her relief was short-lived when she noticed Zane halting after just two strides.
He turned his head over his shoulder, then faced her fully, unable to ignore the unease radiating from her, which struck him hard.
He had never seen her this way before.
"What are you hiding, Selina?" he asked, his voice deep and laced with curiosity.
"Nothing," she flatly denied, turning her gaze to the other side of the room. She feared he might see through her eyes if he continued staring deeply.
Before she could say more, Zane moved.
Selina instinctively tightened her grip on the kit in her hand, wishing it'd disappear.
"Don't come close. Keep your distance!" she yelled at him, but he remained unyielding in his quest for answers.
Zane continued until he was standing directly in front of her.
Selina tightened her grip on the kit in her hand, wishing it'd disappear.