Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 170: Behind Closed Doors

The soft murmur of conversations filled the elegant dining hall, accompanied by the gentle clinking of silverware against porcelain. Delphinia sat at the VVIP table, her posture relaxed but her mind slightly restless. Across from her sat Lydia, who smiled politely as Ashton picked at his food. Though the tension between Lydia and Ashton was still evident, the lunch had been surprisingly smooth.

"I hope the pasta is to your liking," Lydia said, her tone light as she glanced between Delphinia and Ashton.

Delphinia returned the smile. "It’s delicious, thank you for the recommendation."

Ashton nodded briefly but remained mostly silent, occasionally sneaking glances at Delphinia for reassurance.

"Excuse me for a moment," Delphinia said, pushing her chair back. "I need to use the restroom."

Lydia gave a small nod while Ashton barely lifted his gaze. Delphinia left the room quickly, her heels tapping softly against the marble floor as she headed toward the restroom. She didn’t plan to take long—leaving Ashton and Lydia alone still felt risky, but nature called.

As Delphinia stepped into the restroom, she let out a slow breath, pressing her hands against the cool marble sink. This was the second time she had left Ashton alone with Lydia today. The thought made her uneasy. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Ashton—he was a strong, smart kid—but well...

She turned on the faucet, letting the water run for a moment before cupping her hands under the stream.

Just be quick, she told herself, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t want to keep disappearing. Ashton might not say it, but she knew her absence wouldn’t go unnoticed. He was already on edge, and the last thing she wanted was to make him feel like she was leaving him alone in this situation more than necessary.

With a sigh, she shook off the thoughts, dried her hands, and straightened her posture.

After washing her hands, Delphinia made her way back but slowed her steps when she passed another VVIP room. Her attention snapped toward the slightly ajar door as a familiar voice floated out.

Helena.

Delphinia froze, her stomach twisting at the unmistakable sound of Helena’s voice drifting from the slightly open door.

Seriously? Of all the places, of all the moments—did she really have to run into her here?

Her fingers curled at her sides as she exhaled slowly, forcing herself to keep her expression neutral. She had no intention of stopping, no reason to engage. But still... she hesitated. The weight of old memories pressed against her chest, making her pulse quicken.

What a small world indeed.

Delphinia’s pulse quickened. Her first instinct was to walk away—she didn’t want trouble—but then she heard it.

"... Harrington—now Walton. She’s been a thorn in my side ever since the wedding fiasco," Helena’s voice sneered from inside.

Delphinia froze, her heart pounding. She knew Helena meant her. The urge to storm in and confront her was strong, but instead, she edged closer, staying just outside the thin opening of the door. The conversation inside was muffled, words fading in and out, but she caught enough to understand Helena’s frustration.

"She’s a useless pawn," Helena continued, her voice dripping with disdain. "I thought she’d be gone by now, but she just keeps crawling back."

Delphinia clenched her fists, her jaw tightening.

"Perhaps she’s not as naive as you think," another, unfamiliar voice replied calmly.

Helena scoffed. "Please. Delphinia Walton is nothing more than a stubborn little girl playing house. She has no idea what she’s doing."

Delphinia’s nails bit into her palm, but before she could eavesdrop further, she heard the scrape of chairs from within. Her heart raced. Helena was about to come out.

Panicked, Delphinia quickly retreated, but instead of heading straight back to the VVIP room, she ducked near the hallway leading to the restrooms, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Her mind buzzed with anger and curiosity—who had Helena been speaking with? She didn’t catch their face or voice clearly. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Her thoughts shattered as someone bumped into her. The sharp tap of heels echoed before Helena herself appeared in front of her, her cold eyes narrowing in recognition.

"Well, if it isn’t Delphinia Walton," Helena sneered, folding her arms.

Delphinia straightened her back, masking her earlier panic with a cool expression. "Helena."

The air thickened with tension as they stood face-to-face. Helena’s eyes flicked over Delphinia, her lips curving into a mocking smile.

"Eavesdropping now? My, how classy," Helena said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Delphinia raised a brow. "I could say the same. Funny how my name always seems to slip into your conversations."

Helena let out a dry chuckle. "Don’t flatter yourself. You’re barely worth mentioning."

"Yet here we are." Delphinia tilted her head, her smile tight.

Helena’s eyes darkened, but she quickly masked it. "You always were good at pretending, weren’t you? Acting like you belong in places you clearly don’t."

Delphinia’s jaw clenched, but she didn’t rise to the bait. "If I don’t belong, then stop obsessing over me."

Helena’s smirk faltered for a split second before she leaned in, her perfume thick and suffocating. "You think you’ve won something, Delphinia? You’re still the same pathetic girl I left behind."

"Funny," Delphinia shot back. "Because I don’t feel pathetic. But you? Still lurking around, whispering about me behind closed doors. That’s pathetic."

Helena’s smile faded entirely now, a flicker of irritation flashing across her face. She straightened her shoulders, brushing invisible dust from her blazer. "This is pointless. Enjoy your little game, Delphinia. But it won’t last."

Delphinia offered a saccharine smile. "Goodbye, Helena. Hope I never see you again."

"Likewise," Helena hissed before walking away, her heels clicking sharply against the marble.

Delphinia watched her retreating figure, her chest still tight with frustration. Her heart thudded as she thought of the cryptic conversation she overheard—Helena was up to something, that much was clear.

With a long exhale, Delphinia pushed away from the wall, her heels carrying her quickly back to the VVIP room where Ashton and Lydia still sat. She forced a smile as she opened the door, masking the storm swirling inside her.

But as she sat back down, Helena’s mocking voice echoed in her mind, and Delphinia knew this wasn’t the last time she’d cross paths with her stepmother.

Not by a long shot.