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."

With those words, Cordelia stood up and walked out, leaving the two of them behind.

Her reluctance to departure was because her child was still here.

Barry was the only connection she had with Alexander, and she couldn't just walk away.

She was convinced that Bridget's lies would eventually unravel, and when that day came, Alexander would remember the good times and come back for her, if only because of Barry. But she was wrong. Dead wrong.

When the medication she'd gotten from the hospital ran out, she went back for a refill.

Back when she was Mrs. Davis, a simple phone call to the nurse would have her medicine ready. Now, things had changed drastically. Those precious medications required her to pay out of pocket.

She hadn't taken the card Alexander had given her, and her savings, built up over the years, were barely enough to cover the cost of the house that had burned down.

Not being able to get the medicine meant that her time was running out.

Panic gripped her.

She feared dying before Alexander figured out Bridget's schemes.

She feared that Bridget's child would mean Barry would lose his place in the Davis family's favor. Most of all, she was terrified of dying alone on some cold, forgotten night.

She needed money and fast.

But where could she find a job that would pay tens of thousands in such a short time?

Desperate, she tried to call Alexander. The response she got was cold and mocking. "You didn't want the money before, and now you come begging? Do you take me for a fool? If you really need money, sell the house to me."

Cordelia was shocked. They said men could be heartless, but she hadn't expected Alexander to be this cruel. That house was her last link to the past, her only place where she could still see her child.

Is he really going to take everything away for Bridget? Does he truly not care about the years we have spent together? Even if he doesn't know I've donated a kidney, can't he show a shred of compassion for our child?

But she had no choice but to comply. She thought if she could get the money, buy the medication, and rent a small place where she could see Barry often, perhaps when Bridget's child was born, she might be able to get Barry back and have a small life together in that rented space.

She agreed to Alexander's terms and immediately went to hand over the keys and collect the money.

But that night, the house burned down in a massive fire.

If she hadn't been jolted awake by a nightmare, she might have perished in the flames.

Furious, Cordelia called Alexander.

On the other end, he was silent for a few seconds before calmly telling her to sign the agreement and leave Los Angeles forever.

So it was Bridget's doing. Alexander knew everything.

Cordelia couldn't believe it—Alexander was willing to go as far as committing illegal acts for Bridget.

In her despair, she pawned her wedding ring. It was worth a decent amount and was the only thing she had left from her life with the Davis family.

When Bridget found out, she was so enraged that she smashed her computer and immediately called the hospital.

When Cordelia went to the hospital to pick up her medication, the doctor told her it had been discontinued.

If she wanted it, she'd have to go to the black market. The medicine she needed, costing thirty thousand, might be priced at 300 thousand on the black market.

Where could she possibly come up with that kind of money?

It was like they were pushing her towards her death.

Who else could it be but Alexander?

She called Alexander again, her anger boiling over. He was stunned to hear this new, fiery side of her—is she no longer the meek woman who would quietly cry in the shadows?

After her outburst, she decided to sign the agreement. Survival was the priority.

She went to the Davis Villa to finalize everything. The place was eerily quiet, with the front door slightly ajar.

She found it odd—there were usually people around, even if Alexander wasn't home.

Today, when she had come specifically to sign the agreement and grab the money, the house was completely still.

She had expected to see the arrogant Bridget the moment she walked in.

To her relief, there was no one in sight.

Without a second thought, she headed straight upstairs, her mind fixed on Barry.

Barry's door was slightly ajar. Through the crack, she could see tiny little feet lying still on the floor. Her heart skipped a beat, and she rushed to push the door open, but as soon as she stepped inside, she froze for several seconds.

Barry... what is wrong?

Barry lay so quietly on the floor. How can he... be lying there like that?