Chapter 3
Chapter 3:
“But later on,” Colin continued, his voice hesitant, “I came to realize Brinley isn’t like Milly at all. She’s softer, depends on me more, and… loves me in a way Milly never did p>
Vance let out a derisive chuckle. “And with that realization, you still justify deceiving p>
“I don’t deceive her!” Colin’s voice flared with sudden intensity, then dropped again into a whisper. “I truly do care for her… it’s just p>
“Just what?” Vance pressed impatiently.
“It’s just that I can’t seem to cut Milly off completely,” Colin admitted, sounding torn. “She was my first love. When she came back from abroad and reached out, I couldn’t push her away. But at the same time, I didn’t want to give up Brinley p>
“So you went as far as forging a marriage certificate, letting Brinley believe the two of you were legally bound?” Disgust sharpened Vance’s tone. “Colin, that makes you nothing short of a scumbag p>
Colin fell silent for a few seconds. Then he answered with a bitter, self-mocking laugh. “Yes, I’m a scumbag. I want Milly’s fire, Brinley’s gentleness… I even let myself imagine how perfect it would be to keep them both in my life p>
“You must be delusional,” Vance snapped. “If Brinley ever found out about your double life, do you honestly think she’d forgive you p>
𝗠𝗈𝘳e 𝘯o𝘃𝘦𝗅s oո 𝘨𝖺𝗅ոо𝘃e𝘭𝘀.со𝗆
“She won’t ever know,” Colin cut in. “She trusts me completely. She never questions a thing. Even when she called while Milly and I were in bed, she was too oblivious to notice anything unusual p>
Those words shattered Brinley’s heart with ruthless force.
She turned and walked soundlessly toward the elevator. Each step felt unreal, as though she were moving through thick fog.
The man she had loved for two whole years was nothing but a liar.
Brinley didn’t know how she managed to make it home.
Absentmindedly, she unlocked the door, drifted into the kitchen, and began preparing dinner with mechanical motions, as if her body were moving on its own.
At half past six, the sound of a key turning in the lock reached her ears.
Colin stepped inside with his usual easy charm, carrying a fresh bouquet of lilies.
“I’m back.” Colin leaned in and brushed a kiss across her forehead, smiling warmly.
Brinley forced her lips into a smile as she accepted the flowers.
Oblivious to her stiffness, Colin shrugged off his suit jacket and inhaled appreciatively. “Mmm. What did you make? Smells delicious p>
“Your favorite,” Brinley replied. “Grilled meat.” She turned away to place the bouquet in a vase, concealing the chill in her expression.
Throughout the meal, Brinley kept her gaze fixed on him, studying every gesture.
Colin’s phone never left the table. It lay face down, and every so often his eyes flicked toward it, as though he were waiting for a message.
After dinner, Brinley pressed a hand to her temple. “My head aches a little. Could you fetch me some medicine from upstairs? It’s in the nightstand drawer p>
“Of course,” Colin said at once, rising quickly. “You just rest here p>
The moment he disappeared upstairs, Brinley snatched his phone.
The screen lit up, prompting for a password.
She tried her birthday. Then their anniversary. Neither worked.
Just as she was about to try again, a notification flashed across the screen.
“Colin, wonderful news—I’m pregnant p>
Brinley’s fingers went numb. The words burned into her vision, piercing her like sharpened steel.
She stared in stunned silence until she heard Colin’s footsteps coming down the stairs. Panic jolted through her, and she dropped the phone back onto the table as if it had scorched her skin.
Colin returned with the pills and a glass of water. “You don’t look well. Do you want to lie down early p>
Brinley took the pills, pretended to swallow, then said quietly, “I’m fine. By the way… is something going on at the office? You kept glancing at your phone p>
For a brief moment, Colin stiffened. Then he smoothed his expression as if nothing had happened. “Yes. A project issue. I might need to head back later p>
“Then go,” Brinley said with a gentle smile, even as something inside her splintered. “Work always comes first p>
Colin slipped on his coat, then paused to kiss her cheek. “Don’t wait up for me. Get some rest p>
When the door clicked shut behind him, Brinley’s smile collapsed.
Tears blurred her vision, but she tipped her head back stubbornly, refusing to let them fall.
Only after a long, grueling struggle did she finally reach for her phone. Her hand trembled as she dialed a number she hadn’t called in two years.
“Dad, I’ve decided,” she said, her voice unsteady but firm. “I’m coming home… and I’ll accept the marriage alliance you arranged p>