Finn was about to say something when Kate suggested taking me shopping for New Year's gifts—as an apology.

I wanted to refuse, but he pulled me into the car.

When we got out, I realized where we were: the boutique.

The Manager lit up the moment she saw Finn and Kate, her face breaking into that indulgent "auntie smile."

"You two! It's been years—did you run off on a world tour or something?"

"I still remember how Dr. Gilbert used to bring Katie here every other day to buy her clothes. I was so jealous I could die."

I stood off to the side. Finn shot me an awkward glance.

"You've got it wrong, Manager. Katie's my ex-wife now. She's here to buy something for my current wife."

The Manager's face fell. She looked almost... disappointed.

Once inside, I understood why. Their photos were still on display—Finn and Kate, frozen in time. You could tell they'd been deeply in love.

The Manager was clearly a fan of theirs, still sighing over what they'd had.

Strange thing was, the sourness I'd felt at first slowly faded as I listened.

While they reminisced, I quietly contacted Attorney Blake to draft the divorce agreement.

Over the next two days, Kate used the excuse of "keeping Finn company" at the hospital.

And I stayed home. It was actually... peaceful.

Until the eve of Lunar New Year.

Finn looked up from his rice during dinner. "Honey, why didn't you buy New Year's couplets this year?"

I set down my chopsticks. "Forgot."

His hand froze mid-air, rice suspended on his spoon.

"Forgot? Then how are we supposed to decorate?"

"We won't."

He stared at me. Started to say "Then—" but stopped.

Every year before this, I'd bought the couplets. Decorated the house. Made it feel like a celebration.

My answer caught him off guard.

The next day—New Year's Day—Finn said he had a shift at the hospital. Kate tagged along, same excuse as always.

Before leaving, he turned to me, his tone generous, like he was granting me a favor.

"If you want me to spend the holiday with you, I can ask someone to cover."

He opened his mouth to add something, but I cut him off.

"No need."

He froze. Then left in a huff, slamming the door behind him.

A while later, Kate sent me a video.

They were in the hospital equipment room. Kissing like the world didn't exist.

"Finn, we've never done it at the hospital before. Want to try?"

"You in a white coat, me in a nurse uniform—admit it, you just want something new."

Finn's breathing was ragged. He lifted her onto the table, knocking over a rack of reagent bottles.

"Katie, give me a child too. Bella can raise it with ours—you won't have to lift a finger. How does that sound?"

I couldn't watch anymore. Couldn't listen.

Finn—who treated medicine like religion—broke every rule for her.

And me? I was just the breeding tool. The nanny.

Another message from Kate popped up.

"Isabella Henson, Finn doesn't even have a shift today. He just wanted to bring me here. New positions. New places. New thrills he's never had."

This time, I didn't spiral.

I called a cab. Went to the hospital. Had the surgery.

On the cold operating table, the doctor tried one last time.

"Miss Henson, the baby is perfectly healthy. With your condition, if you terminate... it may be very difficult to conceive again. Are you certain? Should we contact the father?"

I closed my eyes.

"No need. Abort it."

He shouldn't come into this world. I won't let him be born without a father.

But midway through the procedure, I started hemorrhaging.

And suddenly, I was the one in danger.

In my haze, I heard the doctors using my phone to call my emergency contact—Finn.

Not a single call was answered.

"What kind of husband is this? His wife is getting an abortion, going under the knife, and he won't even pick up?"

"It's New Year's Eve, for God's sake. Does he have any conscience?"

"If something goes wrong and we need a signature, what then?"

The doctors were sweating with anxiety, but something inside me kept holding on.

Maybe God took pity on me. In the end, the bleeding stopped.

When I opened my eyes, the surgery was over. I could be discharged the same day.

After entrusting Dr. Reynolds with a few things, I dragged my battered body to get my medication and pay the bills myself.

In the lobby, I ran into Finn and Kate.

Her neck was covered in hickeys. He tried to explain.

"Katie suddenly had an allergic reaction. I was just getting her some medicine."

"Bella, why didn't you tell me you were coming? Did you even eat the New Year's dinner?"

He was blaming me—for almost ruining his fun.

But I no longer had the heart to argue.

I said nothing and walked straight toward the exit.

Finn tried to follow, but Kate stopped him.

"Finn, we still have to check the pharmacy storeroom..."

I walked faster and didn't hear the rest.

My ID was in my hand. I didn't want to bring a single thing from that house.

I hailed a cab and went straight to the airport.

Mom, Dad—your daughter is coming to spend New Year with you.

After sending the message, I turned off my phone and boarded the plane.

After Finn and Kate finished in the pharmacy storeroom, he still wanted to know why Isabella had come to the hospital.

A bad feeling crept over him. Just as he was about to call her, her surgeon approached.

"Dr. Gilbert, Miss Henson asked me to give you these—her divorce agreement and abortion report."