"Sophia!" Richard suddenly appeared, catching me as I nearly collapsed. I fell into his arms, leaning against his warm chest, but I felt cold all over.

"What's wrong? You look pale." He looked at me with concern, the kind of gaze that would convince anyone he was a loving husband devoted to his wife.

"I'm fine. Susan is here, so I should go down and greet her. We can't neglect our guest." I forced a smile, trying to maintain my composure.

"Aren't you feeling well?" You should rest and let me handle this. "I will go instead." Richard frowned and told Mary to call the family doctor.

He hurried toward the living room, his behavior only deepening my unease. Was he trying to keep me from seeing Susan? Was it because of that pink diamond bracelet? Was he feeling guilty?

If I hadn't received the snapshot, I may not have been suspicious. But now I couldn't convince myself there was nothing between Richard and Susan.

"Mary, don't call the doctor. I'm fine." The more I thought about it, the more anxious I became. Unable to help myself, I hurried toward the living room.

There, I found my husband kneeling on the floor, gently massaging Susan's ankle.

"Does it still hurt?" Richard inquired softly.

"It's much better now. You're pretty good at this," Susan teased with a smile.

The concern on Richard's face made me wonder if Susan had some kind of incurable illness. But wasn't she sitting perfectly fine on the sofa?

Susan noticed me first and pushed Richard aside, greeting me with a calm smile. "Sophia, you're here. I'm sorry, I twisted my ankle earlier, and Richard was just helping me out."

Richard turned to look at me as well, a flicker of panic and unease crossing his face before he quickly composed himself. "Susan hurt her foot. Don't get the wrong idea."

"I haven't said anything. Why do you think I'd get the wrong idea?" I said with a scoff. "Susan is your stepsister. Of course, you should look after each other."

Richard's expression froze, and he scolded Susan, "Next time, be more careful. How do you even manage to twist your ankle while walking?"

"Sorry, it won't happen again." Susan lowered her head, her tone heavy with resentment.

"You're always like this—acting like a child despite your age." Richard sighed, giving Susan a helpless look before walking over to me. He took my hand gently and said, "You're not feeling well. You should rest."

"I'm fine. It's rare for Susan to visit." I discreetly pulled my hand away, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of him having just massaged Susan's ankle.

"Susan, that bracelet is stunning. I saw the news about the pink diamond—it cost two million dollars, didn't it?" I glanced at the bracelet on Susan's wrist.

Richard was ashamed and was ready to say something when Susan interrupted him.

"This bracelet was purchased by Richard. It was meant to be yours, Sophia." Susan quietly removed the jewelry, her face peaceful.

She handed me the bracelet with a smile. "I shouldn't have accepted such an expensive gift from Richard. Since you seem to like it, so why don't you take it?"

She appeared to be understanding, but when our gazes connected, I noticed a flicker of provocation and satisfaction in her eyes.

How ironic. My spouse gave another woman the gift I had longed for. Now she was returning it to me as if she didn't care.

Perhaps Richard had given her so many gifts that this bracelet was the least important of them all.

I looked at the dazzling pink diamond bracelet, my throat tightening with bitterness. For a moment, I was speechless.

"Sophia, do you like the bracelet? Let me put it on for you." Richard's voice broke the tension as he gently tried to fasten the bracelet around my wrist.

But I stopped him, looking at him coolly. "There's no need."

I turned and went to our bedroom. Staying here for even a second longer felt like suffocation.

What exactly was the relationship between Susan and Richard? If there was something between them, then what did that make me? Why did Richard marry me at all?

Stumbling, I made my way upstairs to our bedroom. Just as I reached the door, Richard caught up with me. He grabbed my wrist and pinned me against the wall.

"Sophia, are you upset?"

"Shouldn't I be?" I laughed bitterly, feeling as though all the strength was draining from my body. "Richard, you've been lying to me."

"That bracelet—it was obviously purchased by you. Not only that, you handed it to Susan!"

"What am I to you?" I nearly choked on the words, my voice shaking and tears welling up in my eyes.