Chapter 3Beneath the Wedding Veil

Seeing my silence, Nathan put on an aggrieved expression.

"Dorian, how about this? I'll explain everything to the guests and publicly apologize to you in front of them.

"It doesn't matter much to me. The worst that can happen is that I'll lose face in front of my relatives and friends, and my elderly parents will worry about me. As long as it doesn't hurt the relationship between you two, I'm willing to bear these sacrifices."

He sounded so self-righteous, but I could hear the insincerity dripping from every word.

Yet Ophelia seemed completely moved by his performance. She glared at me and was about to scold me when Nathan's father walked over.

Nathan's father asked, "Ophelia, what are you doing? This is your wedding. Why are you here arguing with another man?"

The moment Ophelia saw Nathan's parents, her demeanor shifted instantly into one of meek compliance.

"This is just my neighbor. He happened to be passing by and stopped in to congratulate me."

To protect an outsider, she could so casually refer to me, her husband of six years, as merely her "neighbor." That was probably all I was to her—a man who shared a roof but held no place in her heart.

When I met her gaze, I saw a flicker of panic in her eyes.

"Fine. Let's grant her wish," I thought.

Faced with the curious stares of Nathan's family and friends, I decided to help them keep up appearances.

"Yes, I'm just her neighbor. I came by to wish them well. I'll leave now. Enjoy the party."

Perhaps my resoluteness caught Ophelia off guard. For a moment, it looked like she might come after me. But Nathan grabbed her hand.

"Ophelia, don't go. My aunt and uncle are waiting for us to toast them.

"After everything's settled, I'll go with you to find Dorian and clear things up. Once he's calmed down, it'll all be fine."

At Nathan's words, Ophelia stopped in her tracks.

However, I walked out of the hotel without looking back.

When I got home, Selina threw herself into my arms. "Daddy! You're finally back. I don't have to sleep alone tonight!

"Daddy, the wind outside was so scary last night. I was hiding under the blanket all by myself, and I was so scared."

When I looked at her sweet, innocent face, my heart ached.

I deeply regretted leaving her with her unreliable mother while I went on that trip.

Seeing the empty croissant box on the table, I praised her, "Wow, my little princess is amazing! You finished all four croissants I bought for you."

Selina pouted and mumbled, "Daddy, I'm still hungry. Mommy hasn't cooked for me in three days. She said she's been busy with Mr. Blackwell..."

A lump formed in my throat, and guilt washed over me.

Gently stroking her head, I pressed my cheek against hers to comfort her. "Daddy's here now. I'll make you something delicious to eat right away."

Selina cheered and jumped up. "Yay! Daddy's back, and I can have real food again!"

Her words brought tears to my eyes as I headed to the kitchen to prepare a meal for her.

But when I opened the fridge, I found only some pasta and nothing else.

Clearly, no one had cooked at home for days.

In the end, I made a simple creamy pasta soup for Selina.

Even so, it lit up her face with joy.

"Daddy, this is so good! You're the best!"

Hearing her childlike praise filled me with mixed emotions.

Just then, the door clicked open.

Ophelia walked in, her face sullen, holding a takeout box in her hand.

She tossed the box onto the table and glared at me.

"What's wrong with you? All you made for Selina is some lousy pasta? Is this how you take care of your daughter?"

Chapter