I Only Needed Your Face

The room fell silent. No one had expected that answer.

Everyone in their circle knew Eliza's reputation. She had chased Alban relentlessly, married him, and catered to his every demand. For her to say that in front of everyone was the same as slapping him across the face.

Alban's expression darkened. He picked up his glass and downed several drinks in quick succession.

In the next rounds of the game, he could not focus. Eliza's words replayed in his mind, and he lost again and again.

His friends, eager to stir things up, suggested they check his photo album and his pinned contact.

The result surprised no one. His album was filled with photos of Davina. Some showed her smiling. Others captured her in quiet moments or in candid shots taken from behind. His pinned contact list held only one name: Davina Buckley.

He was so distracted that he failed to realize he had just made his feelings for her public.

Color crept up Davina's cheeks. She lowered her head and glanced at him shyly. "Al, I didn't realize you felt so strongly about me…"

The rest of the sentence seemed too embarrassing to say. No one pressed her to finish.

When the gathering began to break up, Davina spoke again. "Al, things haven't felt safe around my place lately. The security guards have been checking for days and still haven't figured out what's going on. Could you come stay with me for a few days?"

The group erupted in cheers. Only Eliza remained silent, calmly spearing pieces of fruit on her plate with a fork.

Davina enjoyed performing for her. Eliza did not mind watching.

What no one expected was Alban's response. He had always indulged Davina without hesitation. This time, he refused.

"Vina, I still have some things to handle," he said. "I'll come by later, all right?"

He sent Davina off with the driver, then turned and grabbed Eliza's wrist, pulling her toward the car.

…

The ride home passed in heavy silence.

As soon as they stepped inside, Alban caught the scent in the air. A bitter herbal smell lingered throughout the house.

Eliza had been drinking herbal remedies to stabilize the pregnancy. He usually paid no attention, but now the scent struck him all at once.

He studied her. "What exactly are you taking? You drink it three times a day without fail."

A flicker of guilt rose in Eliza's chest, but she kept her expression steady. "Just something to nourish my body. I'll need it for a while. If the smell bothers you, you could stay at Miss Buckley's place. That way you won't have to smell it, and you can protect her at the same time."

Alban froze. In all their years of marriage, she had worked without complaint and never objected to his feelings for Davina. This was the first time she had pushed him toward her.

He should have felt relieved. Instead, a strange tightness gripped his chest.

Then a thought took shape, and he felt certain he understood. "You're jealous? That answer during the game—was it because you're upset I've been taking care of Vina and ignoring you?"

As he spoke, his body relaxed. "When we got married, I told you clearly. I love someone else. I can give you a title, not love. And after what happened last time, you were at fault. Taking care of her was only right.

"Stop sulking. Didn't you always want the sculpture in my study? I'll give it to you."

Eliza had intended to explain. After hearing that, she changed her mind.

The sculpture was a birthday gift Kyran had carved by hand for his brother. She had wanted it for years. She had asked countless times, but Alban had never agreed. Now he offered it as if it meant nothing.

She nodded. "I understand. I won't cause trouble anymore."

When she yielded so easily, Alban's lips curved in satisfaction. *I knew it. Just as I thought.*

At that moment, Davina called again. This time, he did not hesitate. He turned and left at once.