Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 534

**Chapter 534: A Room Meant for Someone Else**

“Madam Lorcila dedicated years of her life to serving Sunlit Glade. She retired not long ago, but she confided in me that the princess room was intended for the third sister-in-law,” Felyxia announced, her voice brimming with excitement.

“That means you should admit it now, right?” Felyxia’s smile was radiant, illuminating her face with a mixture of pride and glee.

It struck me as completely logical—my cousin, who had always maintained an aloof demeanor and shown no interest in women, had suddenly tied the knot? It made perfect sense to me. If Anneliese wasn’t the girl he had cherished for years, I would be utterly shocked.

Jonathan had always been the epitome of discipline, his demeanor distant and reserved. He had lent me a helping hand during my childhood, but that was the one and only time I had witnessed a crack in his stoic facade. The memory of that night lingered vividly in my mind, watching him carry his wife home with such tenderness, shielding her from the world with an open protectiveness…

Everything fell into place seamlessly.

Felyxia felt a surge of triumph. I have uncovered the truth.

Yet, as she turned her gaze back to Anneliese, her enthusiasm came to an abrupt halt.

Anneliese’s complexion had drained of color. The faint, vacant smile on her lips and the fragility of her expression were strikingly evident.

Shouldn’t Anneliese have looked touched? Happy? Perhaps even moved by the revelation?

But instead, she appeared as if she was struggling to draw breath.

Oh no.

Have I just made a grave error?

“Anneliese, are you alright? Am I being too loud? I promise I won’t disturb you! I’ll leave right now!”

Panic surged within Felyxia at the thought of upsetting her cousin. In a flurry, she leaped to her feet and dashed out of the room, slamming the door behind her with a decisive thud.

Silence enveloped the space once more.

Anneliese stood frozen, her eyes fixated on the closed door, slowly unclenching her fingers, which had been tightly curled, leaving deep crescents in her palm.

The portrait… It was from a decade ago.

Ten years past, Jonathan had already held someone dear in his heart. How could that possibly be me?

Felyxia must have been guessing wildly. She remarked that the girl in the portrait bore a resemblance to me, and so she assumed it was me.

On the journey back, Jonathan had mentioned this cousin of his with an unusual softness in his tone, an affectionate warmth that struck me as odd.

Yet, Felyxia had merely stumbled into that room by chance, and Jonathan had scolded her fiercely, indicating that the girl meant more to him than anyone else ever could.

He even painted her portrait—I had no idea he possessed such artistic talent.

Felyxia claimed I resembled the girl in that portrait. I tried to dismiss the thought, but doubt crept in, gnawing at me—was I merely a substitute?

The notion twisted around my chest, tightening with every breath I took.

When I finally regained my senses, I found myself standing in the corridor. My hand reached out instinctively, searching for the doorknob of the princess room Felyxia had mentioned.

I needed to see it for myself.

“What are you looking for here?”

Just as my fingers brushed the doorknob of the room adjacent to Jonathan’s bedroom, a voice rang out from the far end of the corridor.

Startled, I turned to see Elizabeth approaching, her deep purple couture dress embroidered with gold, a shawl elegantly draped over her shoulders, her sharp eyes glinting with curiosity.