Chapter 15
After a long moment, Amber finally admitted the truth. “Julian has an apartment closer to where I work now. He said he won’t be using it for the next few years, so he’s letting me stay there temporarily.”
Mrs. Westwood Sr. sighed with relief, though her expression remained disapproving. “At least Julian knows how to take care of his sister, unlike SOME people who can’t even treat their own wife properly.”
Amber forced a small smile, lowering her gaze as her eyelashes cast shadows on her cheeks.
After chatting a while longer, Mrs. Westwood Sr., whose health had been fragile for years, looked increasingly exhausted and yawned.
“Grandma, I’ll stay here tonight with you.”
“No need, dear. The nurses will look after me. I didn’t even let the others stay. Amber, focus on your own life, and when you have time, please give Blake a child. That boy is getting more rebellious by the day-contradicting everything I say. Perhaps becoming a father would finally knock some sense into him.”
Amber murmured vague agreements. As she left the hospital room, a hollow feeling settled in her chest. She walked quietly toward the elevators.
But before she could round the corner, she overheard Renée talking with Blake.
“What’s going through that head of yours? Your brother refusing to find a girlfriend just to spite me is bad enough, but you’ve been married for three years without producing a single child. If you don’t love Amber, then go have a baby with Victoria. I’ve always liked her. Or better yet, just get divorced and stop making Victoria wait. Don’t think I don’t know she’s still holding out for you.”
Blake leaned against the wall, his posture relaxed, his thoughts unreadable.
Renée’s voice softened with exasperation. She’d never been able to figure out her younger son.
“Do you even like Victoria? Don’t keep the poor girl waiting forever. Your brother is already driving me crazy-I tell him to find a girlfriend and he drags his feet. At least you have a woman in your life, even if it’s the wrong one. He doesn’t have anyone! Just go ahead and have a baby with Victoria. I won’t feel settled
until you do.”
Fine.”
Blake’s single word hung in the air as he stared out at the pitch-black night through the window. “It’s late, Mom. You should go home and rest.”
Renée’s face lit up instantly at his agreement.
‘I knew I could count on you! Get this marriage with Amber sorted out quickly. We already owe Victoria so much-we can’t keep letting her suffer like this.”
‘Mm-hmm.”
Finally satisfied, Renée stepped into the elevator.
Amber remained frozen around the corner, unable to move. Her chest constricted painfully as all color drained from her face.
she had once dreamed of having children with Blake, but he’d always responded with cold laughter and cutting remarks. Yet here he was, casually agreeing to father a child with Victoria just because his mother asked.
Refusing to transform into the hysterical, unreasonable wife they all believed her to be, Amber quickly ducked down the hallway toward the restroom.
In the mirror, she stared at her pale, disheveled reflection before splashing cold water on her face.
Droplets rolled down her long eyelashes, highlighting her vulnerability and pallor.
She stayed there for a long time, trying to compose herself, when her phone chimed with a message from Victoria.
Over the years, Victoria’s messages had always been carefully crafted displays of concern, like this one:
[Amber, is your injury feeling any better?]
Sure enough, Victoria had posted today.
The photo showed her wine glass, and beside it, Blake’s hand.
His hands were beautiful-more elegant than anyone else’s-but he had never worn a wedding ring.
For years, Victoria had posted frequently, each photo subtly featuring some part of Blake.
Amber, the wife in name only, could only track her husband’s activities through Victoria’s social media.
Christmas at the ski resort. Dinner at the underwater restaurant.
They’d visited Antarctica together to see glaciers and penguins. Stayed in glass igloos in Norway to watch the Northern Lights.
Meanwhile, Amber remained confined to River Haven, guarding her small corner of existence-like a caged bird whose spirit had long since withered.
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