Seven Years of Bitter Juice

On the day of the birthday banquet, I arrived at the ballroom of the Plaza Hotel on time.

I deliberately avoided the main hall, planning to wait for the banquet to officially begin before entering to offer my congratulations to Arthur. I never expected to run into Declan and Sienna at the entrance.

Declan was holding Sienna's hand as they walked side by side.

The moment they appeared, the gazes of the surrounding guests instantly fell upon them.

There was curiosity, but mostly, there was undisguised mockery.

"Can you believe it? Declan, with a pregnant Sienna on his arm... It's a total slap in the face to Eliza."

"I heard she only married into the family for money. It's pathetic, really. Seven years, no kid, and she still won't let go of her position. She has no one to blame but herself."

I took a deep breath and walked past them, my face a carefully constructed mask of indifference, and tuned out their venomous whispers, never once glancing in their direction.

When I reached the ballroom, I saw Arthur from a distance, sitting at the head table. His gaze fell on me, filled with a complex emotion.

I gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, then found a corner seat and sat down, waiting quietly for the banquet to end.

Before long, Sienna, holding Declan's hand, walked straight toward me.

The surrounding chatter gradually died down, all eyes following them, thirsting for drama.

Sienna stood before me, a hint of theatrical vulnerability on her face, her hand still protectively over her belly. She nudged Declan beside her, signaling him to speak.

Declan frowned, then looked at me. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke slowly:

"Eliza, I want Sienna to keep this child."

He stared at me intently, probably waiting for the hysterical outburst he’d come to expect.

After all, in the past seven years, I had personally ensured every woman he got pregnant had an abortion, taking them to the clinic myself without a single exception.

He paused, perhaps seeing that I hadn't immediately erupted, and then added:

"Sienna has already had three abortions for me. The doctor said another abortion could leave her unable to ever have children."

The whispers started again, guests likely speculating on how I would cause a scene.

But I simply met his gaze, my own calm and clear, and uttered a single word.

"Fine."