Not Yours to Control

People began whispering among themselves.

"That ring she's wearing… Isn't it a knockoff of the 'Only Love' pink diamond William spent a fortune on for his wife?"

"Today is Mrs. Fields's first public appearance. Showing up with a fake like that is practically a provocation, isn't it?"

A sharply dressed man frowned and asked, "Hayden, is she your friend?"

Hayden tugged at his tie and answered in an indifferent tone when I still would not look at him. "No."

Selena straightened up when she heard him. She lifted her chin high and snapped, "Take off that knockoff ring and get out of here now!"

I looked at her evenly and asked, "Do you really want me to leave?"

My composed expression only enraged her more. She probably pictured me weeping, bowing low, and begging her to let me stay.

A fierce glare flashed in her eyes, and she barked, "Quit the act. Take it off now!"

The next second, she came over and tried to yank the diamond ring from my finger.

I dodged her and stepped back two paces.

Just then, someone suddenly stretched out a leg from behind and sent me stumbling.

My palm hit the floor, and I went dizzy.

Selena let out a cold laugh, then ground my hand down with the heel of her stiletto, tore the ring from my finger, and threw it hard on the floor.

"This junk? Only someone as lowly as you would call it a treasure!"

Pain shot through my arm. The back of my hand was raw and bloody.

I remained frozen, eyes fixed on the diamond lying broken on the floor, unable to react.

"Lift her and throw her out!" Selena ordered haughtily.

People closed in immediately.

As someone reached for my limbs, I forced the words out through the pain, "Stop! I'm William's…"

Slap!

Before I could finish, Selena struck me hard across the face.

"Still pretending, huh? Are you planning to spread rumors that you're William's mistress again? As if you even deserve that title!"

She was not satisfied, so she slapped me again.

My cheek burned. I clenched my teeth, and a burning fury lit inside me.

I was pregnant. Anger would do me no good, and I thought there was no point in bothering with her.

Now, I swore I would make Selena regret everything she had ever done to me.

Hayden crouched down in front of me, reaching for the wound on my wrist, but I instinctively pulled away before he could touch me.

His face hardened. "Vivian, have you had enough of this?

"You showed up at the annual gala today in that outfit and wearing a fake diamond ring. Wasn't it all just to get my attention and win me back?

"If you beg me now, I can smooth this over. I'll let you stay by my side."

I could not help but let out a short, bitter laugh. "Hayden, you're ridiculously full of yourself."

He frowned, about to answer, when suddenly the room fell quiet.

Everyone present began straightening their outfits, and their eyes fixed on the main entrance.

Hayden hurried to pull me to my feet and spoke in a low voice, "William will be here any minute. You'd better behave.

"As long as you play your cards right, you might even get a chance to win me back."

I could not be bothered to say another word. As I clutched my throbbing wrist, all I could think about was how loathsome the man in front of me had become.

Lights at the entrance flared.

William entered with our child in his arms, moving slowly through the crowd. He was like the center of a galaxy, every gaze in the room drawn to him.

The little one wriggled out of his father's arms the moment they stepped in. His lively, cherubic energy instantly drew everyone's eye.

He glanced around the hall with wide, curious eyes. Everyone he looked at straightened up, clutching their chests as though they had just been granted the highest honor.

Hayden turned to me abruptly and said, "Vivian, as long as you stop being jealous and causing Selena trouble, I'll forgive you for disappearing for three years.

"But you've got to give me a child! I want one even cuter than William's kid."

I could not be bothered to respond to him. My eyes had already found my husband and child in the crowd.

The moment our gazes met, both their faces lit up.

Moments later, William took our little one by the hand and walked straight toward me.