Elena’s heart sank to the pit of her stomach. How could she not recognize her?

It was the woman who had given birth to her—the same woman who had abandoned her when she was only five years old.

For twenty years, that woman had never contacted her. Not once. And now, she had suddenly appeared before her. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Elena’s head spun. The chatter around her faded into the background. The lights blurred before her.

She felt as though the walls were closing in on her.

A suffocating pressure crushed her chest.

Her body swayed, and her legs moved backward.

"Elena." Elias caught her immediately. Worry clouded his face. "Are you okay?"

Elena shook her head. "I..." Her lips trembled. "I’m not feeling well."

She felt suffocated. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, and couldn’t process what she was seeing.

"I’ll take you upstairs." Without waiting another second, he lifted her and carried her away from the crowd.

When they were inside a room, Elias put Elena gently on the bed. His worry deepened.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

Elena was still numb. Her mind was in complete chaos.

"You know Mrs. Sterling?"

Elena blinked. No matter how messy her mind was, she couldn’t help but think that the Sterling family might be close to Rowans. After all, only relatives and close friends had been invited to Arthur’s birthday celebration.

Revealing the truth would only complicate things.

Besides, that woman had stopped being her mother the moment she abandoned her and her father.

Twenty years...

That woman had not contacted her for twenty years. She might not have even remembered her.

Whatever blood connection they once shared had been severed long ago. Now they were nothing more than strangers.

Taking a deep breath, Elena forced herself to calm down.

"No... I-I don’t know her. I just mistook her for someone else."

"You scared me." He enveloped his arms around her and pulled her close. "Rest here. I’ll take you home after the party."

Elias rose from the bed, ready to leave. But Elena’s warm fingers wrapped around his wrist. He paused and looked down at her.

"Do you need something?"

Elena shook her head. She got out of bed. "I’m coming with you?"

Elias studied her face. Her complexion was still pale.

"Are you sure?" he asked, unsure.

"Yes," she answered firmly. "Tonight is important to Grandpa. He invited all his friends. He is excited. I don’t want to ruin the evening."

Elias hesitated.

"I swear I am fine," Elena said.

"Alright. If you say so."

Elena slipped her arm around his and walked out of the room.

The pain still lingered in her heart. She was nervous, too. But she wanted to face that woman, her so-called mother. She wanted to see her reaction.

Truth be told, a small part of her wanted her mother to recognize her, hug her, and apologize to her for what she had done. She wanted to know why she had abandoned her family all those years ago and chosen another man instead.

When they returned to the hall, Arthur immediately approached them.

"What happened to Elena?" he asked anxiously. "I heard she almost fainted."

His eyes scanned her carefully. "Are you alright, my dear?"

Elena smiled. "I am fine, Grandpa. Don’t worry."

She squeezed his arm affectionately. "Let’s cut the cake."

Arthur laughed softly. "Yes, yes. We will cut the cake. But before that, let me introduce you to everyone."

He turned to the crowd. "Everyone..." His deep voice echoed throughout the hall, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

A proud smile spread across his face.

"Allow me to introduce my granddaughter-in-law." He gestured toward Elena. "This is Elena..."

At once, Elias wrapped an arm around her waist.

"She is beautiful," a woman remarked. "She and Elias look perfect together."

"What a lovely couple."

Compliments came from every direction.

Elena smiled as she thanked everyone. She looked at her mother through the corners of her eyes.

Mrs. Sterling was staring at her. There was no smile on her face, not a trace of pain or guilt.

Nothing.

Certainly, she had not recognized her.

A bitter ache spread through Elena’s chest.

What was she expecting? Recognition? Regret? Apology?

This was the woman who had abandoned her husband and daughter for another man. How could someone like that still care?

Disgust churned inside Elena. Even so, she maintained a smile on her face.

Across the hall, Amber Sterling couldn’t take her eyes off Elena.

Something about the young woman felt strangely familiar. Elena reminded her of the five-year-old girl she had left twenty years ago.

"Elena," she mumbled under her breath. A distant sadness crossed her face.

"My daughter’s name is also Elena. I wonder where she is now and how she is doing."

"Mom..." Vivian’s sharp voice snapped her out of her reverie.

She turned to her, only to meet her furious gaze. Concern entered her eyes. "What’s the matter? Did someone upset you?"

"You really have to ask?" Vivian hissed, baring her teeth. "I’ve loved Elias for years. I should be the one beside him."

She glared at Elena. "And now, that woman stole my place."

Her face twisted in rage. "And you asked me if someone upset me? Yes..."

She fisted tightly. "She did. Now do something. I want that woman gone."

"Vivian..."

"If you won’t do anything, I’ll do something. I’ll destroy everything."

"What is going on?" A deep voice interrupted them.

Vivian snapped her head up and saw her father.

"Dad." She tugged at his arm. Tears immediately filled her eyes. "I want Elias. I want to marry him."

Cedric Sterling’s jaw tightened. He glanced at his wife, clearly annoyed.

"This is how you’ve raised her?" he muttered through his clenched teeth. His tone was ice-cold. "Creating a scene here? If anyone overhears this conversation, the whole family will be humiliated in front of the elite society."

"Cedric, please listen..."

Cedric lifted a hand and stopped her. "Take her away from here. Right now."

Amber held Vivian’s arm. "Come with me."

Vivian resisted. "I am not going anywhere."

"Vivian," Amber said sternly. "Don’t make your father angry."

She pulled her all the way out of the hall.

Once they were outside, Vivian yanked her arm free.

"Why did you bring me out here?" she barked. "I’m not leaving. I need to talk to Elias."

"Have you lost your mind?" Amber snapped back. "Elias is already married. He seems happy with that woman. And Arthur approves of their marriage. There is no way we can fight the Rowan family over this."

Vivian wasn’t ready to accept it. "No. I won’t accept it."

There was wildness in her eyes. "Elias is mine. How could he marry someone else? If you don’t help me, I’ll kill myself."

"Vivian..." Amber panicked. "Don’t say such things."

"Then help me." Tears streamed down Vivian’s cheeks. "I can’t lose him."

Amber pulled her into a hug. "Foolish woman. Stop crying."

But Vivian kept sobbing.

Amber pulled back, her hand resting on Vivian’s shoulders.

"Listen to me." Her voice softened. "Your father’s company has not been doing well lately. We need Rowan’s investments. This is not the time to offend them."

"Are you telling me to swallow the pain?" Vivian’s whole body trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I can’t. If I don’t get him, I’ll die."

"Don’t be impulsive." Amber caressed her hair. "You don’t need to hurt yourself."

A calculating look flashed through her eyes. "I’ll think of something."

Hope instantly brightened Vivian’s face.

"Really?" She looked up eagerly. "Are you really going to help me?"

Amber nodded. "Yes. You are the precious princess of the Sterling family. You will get whatever you want."

"Thanks, Mom..." Vivian hugged her tightly.

A twisted smile slowly curled her lips. ’Elena, you dared to stand between Elias and me. A lowly woman like you doesn’t deserve him. I’ll make sure you disappear from his life.’