She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

At 8:00 PM, the car pulled into the courtyard of Stein Mansion.

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Aiyana was the first to jump out, heading straight inside without looking back. Laylah followed behind her parents, carrying the sleeping Ricardo in her arms, and walked slowly into the living room.

The mansion was nicely renovated, but compared to the Lucero family’s old estate, it felt new and lacking in depth.

A few expensive art pieces were displayed in the living room, all bought over the years with the money Nash had made from his business.

“Katie,” Monica said to the nanny, “warm up a cup of milk for Ricardo. Have it ready for when he wakes up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The nanny left.

Aiyana had already collapsed onto the leather couch, scrolling through her phone with her legs crossed. When she saw Laylah come in with Ricardo, she didn’t even look up.

“Laylah, give Ricardo to me.” Monica reached for the boy. “You’ve had a long day.”

“It’s fine, Mom. I’ll carry him upstairs to sleep.” Laylah kept her voice low. “He’ll cry if he wakes and doesn’t see me.”

up

Monica and Laylah went upstairs and settled Ricardo in the nursery. The Stein family had specifically prepared a room for their grandson, decorated with great care, and filled with toys that scattered across

half the room.

Once Ricardo was asleep, they tiptoed out.

“Ma’am, the milk is ready,” the nanny whispered from the stairs.

“Just leave it for now. We’ll give it to him when he wakes up.” Monica waved a hand.

Back in the living room, Nash was already making coffee. Freshly brewed, the rich aroma drifted up from the pot.

Aiyana was still on her phone, her fingers flying across the screen, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth every now and then.

“Aiyana,” Nash frowned, “put the phone down. Let’s talk as a family.”

Aiyana set her phone down reluctantly, but her eyes kept drifting back to the screen. “What is there to talk about? Didn’t we see everything today? The way the Luceros acted clearly showed they wanted to bring Laylah back.”

“Watch your tone,” Monica shot Aiyana a look, then turned to Laylah. “Laylah, what did you think of Emily’s attitude toward you?”

Laylah sat down on the couch, a proper smile on her face. “She really liked Ricardo. She kept playing with him. And Beckham liked him too.”

12:56 Sat, May 9 MMO.

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“That’s good.” Nash nodded and took a sip of his coffee. “If the Lucero family values their grandson, you have leverage.”

Aiyana let out a sudden snort, crossing her legs and swinging one foot. “Dad, don’t get too hopeful. The way Beckham held Ricardo today felt off to me.”

Laylah’s smile stiffened slightly. “What felt off?”

“I can’t really explain it.” Aiyana tilted her head, pretending to think. “It just didn’t feel warm enough. Did you see his face today? He didn’t look excited to be a dad at all. It was more like he was checking off a box.”

The words cut through the room, and the atmosphere turned cold.

Monica frowned. “Aiyana, don’t talk nonsense.”

“I’m not talking nonsense.” Aiyana put on an innocent face. “Mom, think about it. Wasn’t Beckham distracted all day? He seemed more concerned about Celia not showing up.

“When he was holding Ricardo, his eyes kept drifting to the door, like he was waiting for someone.”

She glanced at Laylah as she spoke, her eyes full of undisguised curiosity. “Laylah, be honest. Has Beckham actually fallen for Celia these past three years?”

Laylah’s hands tightened on her knees, but her face remained calm. “Beckham just feels guilty. They’ve been married, after all. Getting a divorce so suddenly would make him look bad.”

“Guilty?” Aiyana raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I think it’s more than that. Emily was so mad today, cursing Celia for having no manners, but Beckham still defended her. Who in their right mind would buy that he has no feelings for her?”

“Aiyana.” Nash’s face darkened. “Watch how you speak to your sister.”

“I’m just being honest.” Aiyana pouted, but her voice dropped a little. “Dad, I just think Laylah’s strategy is risky. She left the country for three years, left her man behind, and let him marry someone else.

“Now she’s back, and they’ve already had time to develop real feelings. Squeezing her way in now? That’s going to be hard.”

“What do you know?” Monica snapped. “Laylah had no choice but to leave back then. The Luceros wanted Beckham to marry Celia. If Laylah had stayed, she would’ve been a laughingstock. Coming back now with Ricardo, she has every right.”

“Every right?” Aiyana laughed, the sound sharp with mockery. “Mom, you’re being naive. Celia is the legal Mrs. Lucero right now. An ex-girlfriend? And with a kid that no one can prove…”

“Aiyana Stein.” Laylah’s voice cut like ice. “Ricardo is your nephew. Keep talking nonsense, and I won’t be nice.”

Aiyana flinched at the look in Laylah’s eyes. She had seen that look once before back in Redhaven. A dancer had stolen a solo opportunity from Laylah, and Laylah had looked at her exactly like that. That dancer never appeared on stage again.

But Aiyana recovered quickly and shrugged. “I’m just trying to help you, Laylah. Don’t forget, the Lucero

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family cares more about blood than anything. What if, and I’m just saying what if, Beckham wants a paternity test…”

“Enough!” Nash slammed his hand on the table, rattling the cups. “Go to your room.”

Aiyana stood up grudgingly. Before she left, she shot Laylah one more look, her eyes full of jealousy and

resentment.

When Aiyana’s footsteps faded up the stairs, the living room fell quiet.

Nash rubbed his brow and sat back down. “Laylah, Aiyana’s words were harsh, but she wasn’t entirely wrong. Where does Beckham really stand?”

Laylah was silent for a few seconds. She picked up her cup, took a sip, and then spoke slowly. “He said he’d take care of us. But…”

“But what?”

“But I can tell he doesn’t want a divorce right now.”

Monica squeezed Laylah’s hand, worry in her eyes. “Laylah, has Beckham actually started to love Celia over the past three years?”

“No way.” Laylah’s voice was firm. “Mom, don’t worry. Beckham has always loved me. He just feels guilty. Celia hasn’t done anything wrong in the past three years. Suddenly asking for a divorce might make him look like a bad guy.”

“Then what’s your plan?” Nash asked.

“We wait,” Laylah said. “We let the rumors spread, let Emily put on the pressure, and let Beckham be forced to make a choice.”

“And what if he chooses Celia?” Monica still wasn’t convinced.

Laylah smiled, that same confident smile she always had. “He won’t. Dad, Mom, have you forgotten? I made Beckham fall for me once. I can do it again. And now I have Ricardo as my trump card.”

She paused and lowered her voice. “Tyshawn isn’t well, and Tanner cares so much about the family’s reputation.

Everyone already thinks Celia pushed me out, that I’m the wronged ex-girlfriend who waited three years with the Lucero family’s grandson. If the Luceros don’t give me a proper title after this, the public will tear them apart.”

Nash nodded. “That’s true. The Lucero family cares more about appearances than anything.”

“Exactly,” Laylah said. “So all we have to do is wait. We’ll wait for the pressure to build and for Beckham to have no choice but to get a divorce.”

Monica sighed and patted Laylah’s hand. “Laylah, I just feel sorry for you. These past three years, you were all alone abroad…”

“Mom, it’s in the past.” Laylah took Monica’s hand, her voice soft. “What matters now is that I have to become Mrs. Lucero. Once I’m part of the Lucero family, we’ll turn everything around. Then we can give

Chapter 15

Aiyana whatever she wants.”

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At the mention of Aiyana, Monica’s expression grew complicated. “Aiyana is getting more and more unreasonable. Laylah, don’t let her get to you.”

“I won’t.” Laylah smiled. “She’s my sister. I won’t hold it against her.”

That was what she said, but deep down, Laylah knew she had to be careful around Aiyana, especially when it came to Beckham.

Upstairs, Aiyana didn’t go to her own room. Instead, she stood at the turn of the staircase, holding her breath and listening to the conversation downstairs.

When she heard Laylah say she was going to become Mrs. Lucero, a cold smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. ‘Mrs. Lucero? What makes you qualified? With that kid of unknown origin?’

Then Aiyana tiptoed back to her room, closed the door, and immediately took out her phone.

In her contacts was a number labeled “Private Investigator.”

She hesitated for a few seconds, then dialed.

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