Chapter 4 Deliberate Provocation

There was even the faintest imprint of teeth along its edge, a small, telling detail that made it painfully clear just how completely the person who left the mark had lost control in that instant.

Lindsay's stomach lurched.

She gently slipped out of Tyler's embrace, swallowing hard against the nausea rising in her throat. "I'm okay. I just feel really drained all of a sudden, and my head's a bit light... I've probably been under too much pressure lately, preparing for IVF."

"Sweetheart." Tyler instantly resumed that perfectly rehearsed gentleness, smoothing a hand over her hair. "We don't have to rush the baby plans. It'll happen in its own time. Your wellbeing matters more than anything."

Lindsay looked up, her eyes drifting past him toward Jenna.

Tonight, Jenna had on an off-white cashmere dress, something soft enough to make her appear fragile and demure.

"Jenna, you're here too? Did Tyler call you?" Lindsay managed a faint, strained smile. "It's already so late. Sorry you had to come all the way here."

Jenna stepped forward immediately, enclosing Lindsay's hand in both of hers, her fingers noticeably cool. "What do you mean? Tyler was worried sick about you. How could I stay home knowing that? You look terrible. I'll go heat up some milk for you."

As she spoke, she turned and made her way to the kitchen with familiarity, as though she were the one who truly belonged there.

Soon after, Jenna returned with a steaming mug and gently urged Lindsay to drink.

Lindsay accepted it and took slow sips. The warmth slid down her throat into the chill of her stomach, but it offered no real comfort.

Tyler lowered himself beside her, his tone soft. "Take it easy. Drink slowly, and then get some rest. Try not to think about anything."

At that moment, a flicker of jealousy passed through Jenna's eyes.

A wave of disdain swirled in Lindsay's chest.

Then, as though something had just occurred to him, Tyler's voice grew even more solicitous. "Oh! Your birthday's coming up, Linds. How about I host a birthday banquet for you this weekend at Cloudland's rooftop garden? We'll invite your closest friends and make a night of it."

Cloudland was the city's most exclusive rooftop garden hotel, both exorbitantly priced and nearly impossible to book, famed for its luxury and privacy.

Cradling the warm mug in both hands, Lindsay moved her eyes gradually from Tyler's soft smile to Jenna's face behind him, the corners of her mouth already beginning to drop. Then Lindsay squinted and smiled brightly at him.

"That sounds lovely. Thank you, honey. You're always so thoughtful."

Tyler returned the smile. "If I don't spoil my wife, who will?"

The remark made Lindsay's stomach twist all over again.

"Oh, and I had a diamond necklace custom-made for you," Tyler added, pulling a red velvet box from his pocket. He flipped it open to reveal a sparkling diamond necklace inside.

"Let me put it on you." Without waiting for her response, he leaned in and fastened it around her neck.

Taking a small step back, he looked at her with obvious satisfaction. "Perfect. It looks beautiful on you."

"I actually think the design feels a bit outdated," Jenna said before Lindsay could respond. "The newer styles are much nicer and probably more your style."

As she spoke, her fingertips brushed lightly against Tyler's hand before he had fully withdrawn it. Her expression remained innocent, but the challenge in her eyes was unmistakable.

Already losing her composure? Lindsay scoffed silently.

Tyler's face tightened slightly, a trace of warning flickering in his eyes.

Jenna acted as though she hadn't noticed. Then, all at once, she gasped softly and covered her mouth, adopting a look of exaggerated remorse. "Oh no, Lindsay, I completely forgot you're turning twenty-six this year. Maybe those younger styles wouldn't really suit you anymore. I'm so sorry."

Her lips curled upward again, and this time, the smug satisfaction in her smile was impossible to hide.

"I actually think," Lindsay replied, raising her eyes to meet Jenna's directly, "that many of those so-called trendy designs come across as superficial. Once you take a closer look, they don't really stand up, and the craftsmanship tends to feel subpar."

She let the words hang, her smile growing more pronounced. "But that kind of bold, eye-catching style really does complement you, Jenna. You should consider wearing it more often."

The pleasant little smile Jenna had been maintaining instantly stiffened.

She understood perfectly well what Lindsay meant. Lindsay had just labeled her a knockoff, someone who clung to passing fads, lost relevance quickly, and could never truly embody sophistication.

Jenna turned toward Tyler, her face changing into one of distress and confusion. Her eyes grew red almost instantly, tears welling up so fast that she appeared painfully vulnerable.

Tyler's arm remained draped around Lindsay. At her words, he simply dipped his head and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Lindsay's hair. "You're right, honey. When it comes to diamonds, timeless designs are always more polished. Chasing after whatever's trending..." He trailed off briefly, his tone calm but curt. "It comes off as a bit superficial. Not exactly graceful."

Jenna's eyes filled with tears almost at once. Her voice quivered, adding to the impression of vulnerability. "Y-You're right. I just don't understand these things well enough. How could I possibly compare to you, Lindsay? With Tyler taking such good care of you, anything would look beautiful on you. I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said anything."

Suppressing the nausea stirring in her stomach, Lindsay gave Jenna's hand a light pat. "You'll find a good man someday too. Actually, have you given any thought to what I mentioned last time? My friend is still waiting to hear back."

Jenna's smile faltered for the briefest second. "What are you talking about?"

"Introducing you to someone," Lindsay answered, her voice deliberately a little louder. "The Parker family's second son. He just returned from studying abroad. He's good-looking and well-mannered. I think you two would get along really well."

Tyler's brow creased slightly, and the arm around Lindsay slackened for a moment.

"Lindsay, I'm not really interested in dating right now..." Jenna said, forcing a polite smile. "I'd rather spend more time with you."

"That's sweet, but you'll need your own life eventually," Lindsay replied, her tone gentle, almost sisterly. "What, do you plan to never marry and just stay with Tyler and me forever?"

Jenna's complexion paled a little more, and her eyes flicked toward Tyler before she could stop it.

Tyler spoke at last. "Lindsay's right. Jenna, it's time you started thinking about your own future. I've met the Parker boy; he's a reliable choice."

Jenna's eyes turned red again immediately.

She bit her lower lip and looked at Tyler with resentment, as though silently accusing him.

Tyler didn't meet her eyes. Instead, he redirected his attention to Lindsay, his tone softening once more. "Honey, let's go choose a dress for you tomorrow."

"Alright," Lindsay replied, putting on a bright, cheerful smile.

Watching the color drain from Jenna's face, Lindsay felt nothing but cold disdain.

That fragile, injured act had fooled her more times than she could count, and behind that gentle exterior, Jenna had undermined her in ways she might not even be fully aware of yet.

"Lindsay, I..." Jenna began, her voice catching as though she wanted to say something more.

Lindsay didn't allow it. She let out a perfectly timed yawn. "Honey, I'm really tired. I want to go to bed."

"Okay. I'll take you upstairs," Tyler said.

Roughly thirty minutes later, after confirming that Lindsay had fallen asleep, Tyler gently eased his arm out from beneath her, rose from the bed with as little noise as possible, and quietly stepped out of the room.

Lindsay slowly opened her eyes, completely awake.

Barefoot against the cold floor, she moved silently toward the guest room door, which had been left slightly open.