"I'm not accepting no for an answer!" She cut me off, tightening her grip on my wrist. "Harper, lift your head. Stop cowering like a punching bag. Remember this—as long as I'm alive, no one threatensyour status."
I knew I couldn't convince Olga.
But I also knew that as long as Kirill loved Genevie, no matter how fierce Olga was, no matter how hard she tried to protect me, nothing would change.
My throat tightened with bitterness. I fought back the tears threatening to spill and forced a smile. I couldn't let Olga worry about me. She'd already done enough.
This party might be my final curtain call at this manor.
The night of the birthday party, the manor transformed into a crystal palace from a fairy tale.
Countless crystal chandeliers lit the hall bright as day. Flowers lined the entrance all the way to the stairs. Every corner dripped with luxury, every detail broadcasting the Orlov family's power and wealth.
I sat before the vanity, staring at a stranger in the mirror.
Olga had personally chosen a deep red velvet gown for me. It hugged my body tight, tracing my curves, exposing pale, almost translucent skin at my chest and shoulders.
"Perfect."
Olga stood behind me, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
"Where's Kirill?" I finally couldn't help asking.
Today was my birthday party. He was my husband. But even now, with the party about to start, he was nowhere to be seen.
Olga's expression darkened, then quickly smoothed. "He'll come. As long as he wants this family, he has to come."
She bent down, linking my arm through hers, straightening her spine. "Let's go, child. Tonight, you're the star. You don't wait for anyone."
I took a deep breath, forcing down the churning sourness in my chest, stood up, and followed Olga out.
When I appeared at the top of the stairs on Olga's arm, the noisy hall seemed to hit pause. Every gaze locked onto us like spotlights.
"Don't be afraid," Olga whispered in my ear, voice iron-firm. "Look ahead. Don't look down. You are Mrs. Orlov. They can only look up to you."
I bit my lip, forcing myself to lift my head, scanning the unfamiliar faces. I searched the crowd for that familiar dark figure.
But no.
My husband was absent at the biggest moment of my life.
"Thank you all for coming tonight," Olga announced with a smile. "Today is Harper Orlov's birthday. On this special day, I have an announcement."
She turned, accepting a black velvet box from the butler behind her. A diamond necklace set with an enormous ruby glittered under the lights.
"I've worn this necklace for forty years." Olga's fingers lightly traced the ruby, nostalgia flickering in her eyes. "It witnessed the Orlov family's storms and struggles, my life's glory and hardship. Today, I give it to Harper."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Everyone understood what this meant—Olga was publicly establishing my position. No matter how many mistresses Kirill had, I remained the unshakable lady of this house.
Olga turned, lifting out the necklace and fastening it around my neck herself. The cold metal touched my warm skin, sending fine shivers through me.
"It's yours now." Olga looked at me, eyes reddening. "Harper, you're a good girl. You have a heart of gold. That idiot Kirill doesn't know how to treasure it, but I do."
My tears broke free. In this world full of calculation and profit, this unconditional love felt almost too heavy to bear.
"Thank you..." I choked out, throwing my arms around her. I buried my face in her neck, breathing in faint lavender, sobbing like a wronged child.
I knew this might be the last time I held her like this. Soon enough, Kirill would talk to me about divorce.
