Cordelia looked to Ryan, her father-in-law, for help, hoping he might intervene on her behalf. Ryan took a deep breath, "Then, let's send a few more people to thoroughly prepare the apartment over there, and increase the alimony; after all, she's Barry's biological mother."

But Alexander seemed unconcerned.

Cordelia, trying to hold back her tears, asked for something much more than that, "Dad, Barry is still so young, he hasn't even started weaning off his bottle. Can I take him with me? I can bring him back every week..."

"Ridiculous," Cordelia's words were cut off before she could finish; not even Victoria had spoken up before Ryan's demeanor changed drastically, "The Davis family's blood cannot be left wandering outside."

Cordelia was stunned, but Ryan realized his tone was too harsh and quickly corrected himself, "As a woman, it's inconvenient for you to have a child, plus your health isn't the best and you're still taking medicine, how can you take care of Barry? Stay with us, he will receive the best care."

Victoria quickly added, "Not finishing weaning? Who says we can't afford formula milk? Get out now, don't talk nonsense. Remember, after leaving the Davis family, there are some things that must be completely forgotten, and your mouth is sealed. Got it?"

Cordelia lowered her head, her hands gripping the edge of her clothing, tears welling up in her eyes as she felt an indescribable bitterness in her heart.

Alexander continued to eat his expensive meal.

The maids went about their duties, and everyone else was busy with their own tasks.

The house was filled with an oppressive silence, not the usual calm before a storm. Yet, Cordelia felt the strange air of tension in the villa, her chest tight and aching. "I understand, I'll go pack my things."

"No need, everything you need is already there. Leave quickly, lest the child wakes up and sees you and starts crying," Alexander's words were laced with irritation.

Cordelia's eyes were filled with tears as she looked at Alexander, finally whispering, "Take care of yourself; you're a kidney transplant patient, don't overwork yourself, don't stay up late, the medicine I put by your bed, go for your regular check-up tomorrow, and..."

"Can't you ever shut up? I've been told these things a hundred times. Am I going to die without you by my side?"

Alexander hated her, convinced that she had drugged him to get close to the Davis family.

To him, Cordelia was a scheming woman who did everything to get him to marry her, then pretended to be pitiful and caused constant trouble for Victoria.

He couldn't understand how such a despicable woman could exist.

Ryan and Victoria had spoken only a few words without any real warmth. Now they were silent, and after being reprimanded by Alexander, Cordelia suddenly knelt to the ground, kowtowed to Ryan and Victoria, and said, "In the future, since I can no longer stay by your sides, please take care of yourselves. If you need me..."

Cordelia was not born into a noble family or the daughter of officials. Naturally, everyone disliked her, and no one was fond of her.

Ryan, however, liked to portray himself as a fatherly figure in public.

Cordelia shook her head and pushed the maid away, fully aware of the awkward position she occupied within the Davis family.

Victoria was cruel and harsh towards her, and though Ryan might not genuinely like her, he always said a few words to console her. Growing up without parents, Cordelia had found a semblance of "fatherly love" in Ryan.

Alexander delivered a direct kick to her lower back. "That's enough," he snapped.

Ryan slammed his hand down, shattering a plate. "Alexander, you've got some nerve. She's your wife, the mother of your child."

In the Davis Villa, there were plenty of servants, and he had to keep up appearances. But to Cordelia, it all just felt like a bitter reminder of the gratitude she no longer had.

"She's not the only one who can have a child. Bridget's baby is the one I'm acknowledging as my heir," Alexander's voice was cold.

Cordelia was roughly shoved out of the mansion. She didn't get into the chauffeur-driven car, didn't head to the apartment Alexander had arranged for her, and even forgot to take the bank card he'd set aside for her future.

Instead, she returned to her old house, the one that had burned down years ago. After it was rebuilt, she bought it back.

The pain in her body suddenly intensified. She reached into her pocket and realized she'd left her medication at the mansion. It was the only thing that kept her stable, something she had to take daily.

Feeling overwhelmed by grief, she lay in bed, drifting in and out of consciousness. The next morning, despite a high fever, she drove to the hospital to retrieve her medication.

To her surprise, she spotted Alexander and Bridget at the hospital.

Bridget, with her impressive family background and striking looks, looked dazzling next to the star-studded Alexander.

Nurses whispered among themselves as Cordelia walked by.

She picked up her medication and glanced at a newspaper on a nearby stand.

The headline blared: [The Davis Group Welcomes New Mrs. Davis.]

In wealthy circles, divorce and remarriage seemed as easy as swapping out a lightbulb.

In the hospital, gossip was buzzing like a hive of angry bees.

The nurses whispered about Bridget, who used to be Alexander's fiancée. If it hadn't been for that scandal, they might have been married much sooner.

A couple of nurses huddled behind the counter, their faces lit up with curiosity.

"Do you know why he got a divorce?"

"I thought it was all about Mr. Davis rekindling his first love. You know how that goes—first love is unforgettable."

"Ugh, that's so not it. Let me tell you a secret—Bridget is the one who donated a kidney to Mr. Davis."

"What?!"

Not just the nurses but Cordelia was taken aback. Her face went pale, and she pulled a nurse aside, her voice trembling. "Why did he marry Bridget?"

"Why else? She gave him a kidney. Of course he's going to marry her."

The nurse's eyes widened as she recognized Cordelia. She pointed her out to her colleagues, who gawked as if seeing a rare animal.

Cordelia bolted, desperate to get answers. She headed straight for the top-floor VIP ward, but Victoria intercepted her, grabbing her arm and pulling her into a side corridor, her face filled with concern. "Cordelia, what are you doing here?"

Cordelia, eyes red, demanded, "Mom, why is everyone saying Alexander's kidney came from Bridget?"

Victoria's face turned pale, her demeanor shifting instantly. "You better not say anything about your donation, or I swear I won't let it slide," she said sharply. Seeing Cordelia's stunned expression, Victoria softened her tone. "Look, Cordelia, even though you're divorced, you're still like a daughter to me. Whatever you need, just come to me. But this—this cannot get out. If people find out that you donated the kidney, how do you think they'll talk about the Davis family? About Alexander? If this news gets out, you know what will happen to the Davis Group's stock? If you don't care about that, then think about your son."

Cordelia's heart sank. Victoria was using her child as leverage.

She had spent two years with the Davis family, calming storms and managing every detail, almost like a servant. Even though Victoria had been harsh, Ryan had been kinder. Cordelia knew that being a wealthy wife was no easy task. If she hadn't donated a kidney to Alexander, saving his life, Victoria would have found a way to push her out long ago.

But no matter what, they couldn't twist the truth.

Alexander's kidney is mine. How has it become Bridget's?

Victoria had once forbidden her from telling Alexander, promising she would handle it. She'd been told to keep quiet for the sake of the family's reputation. But even though Alexander didn't know, and despite everything she had done to earn their respect, it seemed she had only ever moved her own heart.

The in-laws were still just that. Despite Ryan's apparent kindness, when it came to her leaving with the child, his attitude was the same as ever. Their main concern was Alexander's reputation and the Davis Group's stock, which wasn't surprising. After all, Cordelia was now divorced and no longer Mrs. Davis. Naturally, they'd forgotten her sacrifices.

"Does Alexander know?" Cordelia asked, fighting back tears.

Two years ago, Alexander slept with Cordelia after a night of drinking, and she ended up pregnant. Because of the scandal, the Davis family had to marry her off to Alexander. At that time, Bridget was still studying abroad and only learned about the situation a year later when she returned.

The couple got into a fight and broke up, and Alexander was hit by a car while chasing after Bridget, requiring a kidney transplant. Cordelia, who had just given birth, felt it was worth it for the father of her child.

However, she couldn't understand why giving her kidney to Alexander didn't earn his favor.

It turned out that Alexander never knew she was the one who donated the kidney.

"Cordelia, don't blame anyone. Bridget's marriage to Alexander is inevitable. You don't understand business, but this is called a political marriage. Actually, you don't need to be so upset. You should have gotten used to his indifference towards you over the past two years," Victoria said.

"But the kidney in his body is mine. Why does everyone say it's Bridget's?" Cordelia exclaimed as she rushed out.

Victoria sternly warned, "If you dare to say anything, don't expect to see your child again."

Cordelia turned around in shock, her eyes blurred with tears. Her head was throbbing, and she had missed her medication for a night. This medication was crucial, and withdrawal could be fatal.

"Keep your mouth shut, and we can maintain a superficial relationship. If you dare to speak out, don't forget that I have your child," Victoria threatened.

"That's Alexander's flesh and blood, your own grandson. How can you say such things?" Cordelia was stunned. Victoria was never a loving mother, and Cordelia had become accustomed to her harsh words and tone. But how could Victoria use the child to threaten her?

Cordelia thought, Is her heart made of stone? Even a stone should have been warmed by now.

Victoria sneered and put on a familiar expression that Cordelia knew well.

She said in a deep voice, "The Davis family doesn't lack women who can give birth."

Cordelia watched as Victoria walked away, repeatedly telling herself not to cry, trying desperately to hold back the tears.

But despite her best efforts, the dam broke.

As she exited the main hall, she ran into Alexander and Bridget. "Isn't this your ex-wife?" Bridget's voice cut through the air.

Alexander had his arm around Bridget's waist, murmuring something in her ear.

Bridget's smile was soft and affectionate. "Alexander, why aren't you talking to her? Even though she did something disgraceful before, you were once married to her, after all."

Only then did Alexander turn his attention to Cordelia, his brows furrowing. "What are you doing here?"

Cordelia's face was as pale as a sheet, her eyes red and swollen. After two years of living in the Davis family's lap of luxury, she had become alarmingly thin, with hollow cheeks. "I'm here to pick up my medication."

Bridget grinned, her smile wide and mocking. "I don't know what your condition is, but I heard from Alexander that you've been on medication for years. It's quite a feat that you managed to give him a child despite that."

Cordelia struggled to keep her composure but couldn't resist a retort. "After a kidney transplant, it's impossible to get pregnant. You're taking such risks for him—now that's love."

Bridget stiffened for a moment, then leaned into Alexander's embrace. "It's not absolutely impossible. Alexander's arranged for the best medical team for me. I'm sure we'll have a little brother for Barry."

Bridget's intention was clear—she was flaunting their love. Alexander seemed impatient, clearly not wanting to engage with Cordelia or discuss these matters in front of her.

As they walked past, Bridget tripped Cordelia with her foot, sending her sprawling. The medication was scattered across the floor. Cordelia scrambled to gather the pills, her lip bitten in frustration, before awkwardly leaving the hospital.

At three in the morning, Cordelia woke up from a sweat-soaked nightmare.

After taking her medication, her body felt better, but sleep eluded her. When the first rays of sunlight streamed in, her phone rang—it was Bridget, inviting her to meet at a café to discuss Barry.

Reluctantly, Cordelia went. From a distance, she saw a woman sitting by the café's floor-to-ceiling windows. The sunlight reflected off her coffee-colored hair, making her skin appear fair and gentle. The diamond bracelet on her wrist looked familiar—Alexander had an identical one, which he hadn't taken off since their wedding.

Bridget was dressed in an expensive cream-colored sweater dress, her belly slightly rounded, looking as soft and docile as a contented cat.

Lost in her thoughts, Cordelia entered the café. Bridget greeted her with a light smile. "You made it."

Cordelia's face was stormy. "What's this about?"

Bridget pushed a black folder towards her. "Open it. I think you'll like it."

Curious, Cordelia opened it to find a check. "What's this supposed to mean?"

"What else could it mean? It's for you to leave this city, as far away as possible."

Bridget took a sip of her orange juice, her face still wearing an innocent smile. Her freshly manicured nails painted a soft pink, looked elegant against her slender fingers.

Cordelia thought she might get a manicure herself later. "I don't need it. I'm not going anywhere. My home is here, and I have no intention of leaving."

Bridget's expression hardened. She pushed the orange juice aside. "Cordelia, don't be ungrateful. I can overlook how you wormed your way into the Davis family before, but now that I'm back, carrying the Davis family's child, this money should be more than enough for you to live comfortably for two lifetimes. Don't be greedy for the Davis Group's shares."

Cordelia was taken aback by the mention of shares. She had never desired material possessions. Maintaining a calm demeanor, she managed a faint smile. "For money? If that were my motive, I wouldn't have gone through with the divorce. Do you really think Alexander would have so easily let me go?"

"Whore, I knew you were only after money. Alexander, come out here."

Alexander emerged from behind a partition.

Cordelia's eyes widened in shock. Bridget was clearly trying to provoke her. "That's not what I meant," she stammered, "I was saying..."

Alexander, holding Bridget close with a look of contempt, interrupted, "I can't believe you're this kind of woman. Now I'm starting to doubt whether that kid is even mine."

Cordelia felt a wave of panic. The way Alexander's attractive lips moved, always managing to utter such hurtful words, was unsettling.

Bridget, clearly not ready to back down, pressed on, "If you're willing to leave, I can offer you money to ensure you want for nothing. But if you refuse..."

"I don't need to hear more," Cordelia cut in sharply. "I'm not going anywhere."