Lowering her voice so only the two of them could hear, she sneered, "Back when the house was still under renovation, the workers had just moved the master's bed in. "You were out of town that night. Sebastian and I spent it there, went through an entire box of condoms. For the next two days, every corner of that room carried traces of us. He was crazy for me-pressed me beneath him, calling me 'baby.' "Anastasia, you've been with him for years, and now you're still in your honeymoon phase, yet has he even touched you? He doesn't feel anything for you. You grew up together-he's seen every side of you. "But what matters in a relationship is novelty. Touching you is like touching his own hand. What thrill can you possibly give him? Those thrills-only I've given him." Juliana's words stunned Anastasia into silence. Her fingers clenched tight until her knuckles whitened, a chill surging from the soles of her feet straight to her chest. 1 That villa had been the Kairos family's betrothal gift to her, set in the most exclusive neighborhood in Brisden, worth billions. Anastasia had always dreamed of having a home of her own. With bright hopes for the future, she poured her heart into the renovations. From major wiring plans to the color of the most miniature ornaments, every detail was personally designed and chosen by her. At the time, she was swamped with a major project at work, but the house was also at a critical stage of construction. She spent her days working overtime at the office, then rushed over after hours to revise blueprints. Many nights, she finished well past midnight. Some days she only slept a handful of hours, exhausted yet fulfilled. - Sebastian knows how much it means to me. He knows everything... and yet why had he still brought Juliana home behind my back? Anastasia staggered back a few steps, her dark lashes trembling with grief. She looked so fragile, as though she were a radiant flower stripped of all its color in an instant. Heartache rose like a tidal wave, swallowing her whole. The world dimmed and collapsed around her. She gagged twice, unable to stop the sick churn of nausea. Seeing her stricken face gave Juliana a surge of satisfaction-but not nearly enough. She pressed on. "That pearl necklace at the auction today-do you know why Sebastian had a ceiling bid for me? Because I'm pregnant. Soon, I'll give Sebastian a child. "To him, I matter more than you. A necklace is nothing-of course, he'll indulge me, because he loves me, and he loves our child. But you? You're nothing but dead weight left behind by the Abbott family. "You're just a clinging parasite, a dodder vine wrapped around Sebastian. The Abbotts are gone, and you think you're still some grand Abbott heiress? Without Sebastian, you wouldn't even know where you belong-ah!" Her words cut off when Anastasia's eyes snapped up, cold and sharp. In the next instant, Anastasia's hand whipped across her face with a resounding crack. 2/3 1:59 pm DDDD. Juliana's forehead slammed against the solid edge of the doorframe. Dizzy from the blow, she reeled. Anastasia had struck with so much force that she drove her straight into the frame. Juliana hadn't expected her to hit that hard, let alone in front of so many people, without a shred of hesitation. The noise drew every eye in the room. The shock sobered Juliana instantly. Humiliated, she stared at Anastasia with red, tear-filled eyes. "Anastasia, how can you hit me?!" Anastasia shook out her stinging arm and said slowly, "You said you're pregnant, didn't you? Sebastian gave you a grand gift. As his wife, it's only fair that I don't fall behind." She stepped closer, towering over her. "One slap isn't enough, Juliana. Want me to even it out with the other half of your face? Wouldn't that make a perfect pair?" When Anastasia picked up a wineglass from the table and looked ready to hurl it, Juliana screamed in panic. "Anastasia, you're insane!" Anastasia smashed the stemmed glass hard against the wall. It shattered with a shrill crack, shards spraying in every direction. Gripping the broken stem tight, she advanced on Juliana. "Weren't you just so proud a moment ago? Where did that arrogance go? You said I was nothing but a parasite clinging to Sebastian. Then tell me- who told you the Abbott family was gone? I'm standing right here, aren't I?" Juliana shrieked again, stumbling backward in terror until she collapsed onto the floor. And just then, Sebastian appeared out of nowhere. He rushed forward and shoved Anastasia away. B 3/3 2:00 pm DDDD. The Rose Who Chose His Rival Over Him