He Risked His Life for Me, Yet I Almost Lost Myself

Chapter 3

But thinking of her mother's illness and the fact that she hadn't saved enough to leave yet, Lucy put on a cold face. Following Dany's request, she pulled out a chair and sat down heavily.

Seeing that Lucy didn't leave in a fit of anger, a hint of disappointment flashed in Nina's eyes.

Immediately after, she reached out and intertwined her fingers with Dany's, sharing their innermost feelings. Yet the corner of her eye kept fixed on Lucy, secretly hoping to see a look of pain and sorrow on Lucy's face.

But Lucy appeared calm and composed, sipping her tea as if no one else was there.

Witnessing this, Nina bit her lip and suddenly spoke up.

"Lucy, could you go and urge the kitchen for our dishes?"

Lucy paused her movements, and her gaze slowly fell on Nina, who pretended to be innocent.

Nina ignored her gaze. Her voice brimming with excitement, she bragged to Lucy as if seeking praise.

"Lucy, you have to praise me. If I hadn't pressed Dany to book the restaurant and order the dishes, he would have forgotten your wedding anniversary. Since you're too embarrassed to enjoy the benefits for free, just go and ask them to serve the food now—it's no trouble."

Upon hearing this, Lucy raised an eyebrow and glanced at Dany. Seeing he had no reaction, a twinge of disappointment welled up in her heart.

She had thought that after years of being husband and wife, even if their relationship was fractured, he would never let Nina treat her like a servant on their wedding anniversary.

Regaining her composure, Lucy spoke casually and retorted directly.

"It's fine. I have a thick skin—I don't mind. Otherwise, your kindness, Nina, would go to waste. Besides, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Shouldn't you be the one to ask for the dishes, Nina?"

The fake smile on Nina's lips could no longer be maintained.

She tilted her head, looking at Dany with eager eyes. The corners of her eyes glistened with tears, making her grievance obvious to anyone.

Dany furrowed his brows. His gaze swept over Lucy, who looked unconcerned, and a vague sense of irritation arose in his heart. He spoke impatiently.

"Lucy, do what Nina says. I won't treat you unfairly."

After hearing this out-of-the-blue statement, Lucy suddenly let out a low laugh, filled with self-mockery. She understood that Dany's "not treating her unfairly" meant he would compensate her with jewelry after this incident.

Anger surged to the top of her head. Lucy almost blurted out insults, but when Dany cast her a slight glance, the words vanished into thin air.

She was not yet strong enough; she couldn't ruin her own and her mother's chance of survival now.

As the dishes were served, the three sat apart, each in their own space.

Faced with Nina, who coquettishly said she wanted to lose weight, the furrow between Dany's brows instantly softened. His eyes were full of doting, and a faint smile curved his lips as he coaxed her in a low voice—all just to get Nina to eat a little more.

Lucy, sitting aside, tasted nothing of the food. Thinking about her current situation, her hand holding the chopsticks unconsciously tightened.

If she hadn't been dazzled by love back then, how would she be here today, humiliated by Nina?

She remembered that Dany, as an illegitimate child, had not been favored in the Hayes family.

Lucy had accidentally seen him being bullied—his face and nose were bruised, but he clenched his teeth and refused to beg for help. Her heart softened, and she stepped in to help him out of a sense of justice.

This encounter brought them together. As they spent more time together, they secretly developed feelings for each other.

Later, when the Hayes and Grant families planned to form a marriage alliance, Dany was naturally not on the list of candidates.

But looking at the garden full of roses he had planted with his own hands, Lucy defied her parents for the first time, threatening to take her own life. In the end, she overcame all obstacles and firmly chose Dany.

And Dany took this opportunity to not only rise rapidly in the military but also become the leader of the Hayes family.

Indeed, her first nine years of married life had been the envy of everyone.

But what about now?

Thinking that their solemn vows of love couldn't stand up to Nina's mere half a year in his life, Lucy felt as if her chest was blocked by a ball of cotton. Sour, bitter, and all sorts of other feelings churned inside her, making her whole body uncomfortable.

"Lucy, Nina specially served soup for you. Have a taste."