I Can't Hear You

It was Claudia's special Valentine's outfit.

Claudia invited me out for dinner, but James immediately stopped her.

"It's late, and Layla isn't feeling well. Let's make it another day," he said.

Claudia ignored him completely. She linked arms with me and was ready to leave.

I didn't refuse. I wanted to see just how shameless these two could be.

At the restaurant, Claudia sat across from me.

I kept my head down, focusing on my food.

James whispered to Claudia, his tone laced with irritation. He deliberately lowered his voice, as if worried I might overhear.

"I told you not to mess with her. What's wrong with you?"

I intentionally glanced up at them. Claudia flashed me an innocent smile as she popped a bite of food into her mouth.

"Are you serious about marrying her? What about me, then?" she asked, her tone slightly displeased.

James tried to soothe her. "I'm just marrying her for show. You're the one I really love.

"Besides, you know that at the wedding, Mr. Becker will give me 15% of his company's shares. Once I fully take over Becker Group, we'll live a carefree life."

I tightened my grip on my fork.

I had thought James was only deceiving me emotionally, but it turned out he was also after my family's wealth.

I deliberately raised my head and looked at him.

He casually placed a piece of meat onto my plate and smiled at me—his eyes devoid of guilt or shame.

A chill ran through me.

I never realized the man I had shared a bed with was this cunning and ruthless.

Claudia poked at her plate, clearly displeased. "It had better be that way, or I might start thinking you actually have feelings for her. Don't you dare keep any secrets from me, got it?"

Swallowing my bitterness, I purposely picked up the piece of meat and put it back onto James's plate.

"Did you forget? I'm pregnant—I can't eat greasy food," I said calmly as I secretly took out my phone and started recording.

As I expected, Claudia was pissed at the news. "What? James, she's pregnant? I thought you said you always took precautions! What about me? We've been together for years—don't tell me you're planning to ditch me now that you're climbing the social ladder!"

James panicked and shot me a quick glance. I remained as indifferent as ever.

He lowered his voice and said, "Don't overthink it, Claudia. I got her pregnant on purpose. With the baby, we'll have even more leverage to take control of the Becker family."

Suppressing my disgust, I rushed to the restroom and threw up over the toilet. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

These two had no shame at all, scheming right in front of me.

I took out my phone and sent James a message, saying I wasn't feeling well, so I was heading home first.

After forcing myself up, I splashed cold water on my face at the sink.

Just then, my mother called.

"Layla, Miguel Lampe wants to meet you. I've sent you the location."

Miguel Lampe—the scion of the Lampe family—the man I was set to marry on February 19th.