"At six in the morning, Zia came to see Riley first. She reported, "Brian asked me to help check on his... on his..."

Zia's words were cut off because Riley resumed, "Claire? He asked you to check on Claire?"

Riley frowned, thinking about how Brian blamed her last night. He wouldn’t even listen to her. Then she softly replied, "You should help in any way."

"I hate him, and I hate that innocent-looking lover of his even more, but it doesn't mean an unborn child should be deprived of the best medical help. I know you are one of the best new doctors right now, Zia," Riley said. "So, you should. At least he would get off my back, I hope."

Riley saw Zia's complicated expression. Zia sighed and replied, "You really are a good person, Riley. My cousin doesn’t deserve you.”

Zia took a few steps back and said, "I better go."

"Zia?" Riley asked.

Looking down, Riley paused and pondered. Then she decided, "I don't want to have anything to do with Brian anymore. I—I don't think you need to tell him about the miscarriage. He—he doesn't care."

The thought of her husband's words the other night brought tears to Riley's eyes. "They wanted me to leave the family without troubling Claire and Brian, so I will."

"Are—are you sure, Riley?" Zia asked.

Riley nodded. She said, "I don't want Brian to come looking back for me, be confused, or feel guilty. I want him out of my life, so I also don't want him to know that I had a miscarriage."

"Maybe in the future, I will tell him. I don't know," Riley muttered. "For now, I don't want to be bothered by him and his family anymore."

Zia's reluctantly replied, "Okay. I understand. I'll try to hold back."

***

"It's nice to meet you, Doctor Zia," Claire Monet greeted. She had such doe eyes; anyone would think she was blameless.

Zia stood before Claire in a hospital room at Halliport's General Hospital, and she could not help but think, 'She is so young—a child! Brian has become a sugar daddy!'

"Hello, Claire. I'm here to check on you," Zia responded.

Before a resident doctor, Brian and Beatrice Martin, Zia reviewed Claire's medical chart. After half an hour, she gave her instructions, "I will prescribe dydrogesterone and progesterone gels, together with her prenatal vitamins, to thicken the lining of her uterus. It will keep the baby safe. She must be on complete bed rest for one month in the hospital with a twenty-four-hour nurse to watch over her, and she will need regular ultrasounds to monitor the baby and the condition of her uterus."

"Is—is that necessary?" Claire weakly asked. "I want to go home."

"You want the baby to live, right?" Zia asked Claire.

Claire nodded shyly and said, "Yes, yes, of course."

"Then, do everything I say," Zia responded.

The truth was that Zia thought the baby was out of danger. However, Adrian King's instructions were clear: this child in Claire's womb must live. Thus, she might have exaggerated her doctor's orders.

Also, noticing how emotionally distraught the girl was over the false trauma she had created, Zia turned to Brian. She suggested, "Brian, you must be with her to support her emotionally. If this baby is important, you must give your time. She is not allowed to feel depressed or sad."

"My son will make time," Beatrice said. She looked at Brian and confirmed, "Right, Son?"

Zia faked a smile, saying, "I will coordinate Claire's progress with the resident."

"Make sure to eat healthy, Claire," Zia addressed Brian's mistress before reminding her cousin. "Make sure she gets all the nutrition she needs."

"I will. Thank you, Zia, for coming to see Claire," Brian said.

Zia exited the room with the resident doctor when Brian chased after her. He said, "Zia, thank you very much."

"I didn't want to, Brian, but -" Zia paused. She suddenly remembered what Riley had told her about keeping the miscarriage from Brian.

She sighed angrily and said, "I don't get you, Brian. Why are you replacing Riley with this child? You've been married to her for four years and have known her since college. Is it because she's young? Is it the sex? Claire hasn't even finished college, while Riley is an accomplished jewelry designer! How can you choose beef cubes when you have a steak at home?"

"Stop it!" Brian said angrily. "Be careful what you say. Claire has more potential than you think. She just didn't have the same opportunities as Riley.”

“Claire is innocent,” Brian insisted. “She didn't want to be part of this, but she got pregnant. She needs my support, so I have to take responsibility. Moreover, Riley couldn't give me a child, so stop questioning me and just support me–"

"You don't know what you–" Zia stopped herself, recalling her promise to Riley. Was there a point in telling Brian that he had just killed his son? "I swear to god, Brian, you will regret–"

"Mr. Martin?" Zia was this close to telling Brian the truth about Riley's miscarriage, but someone interrupted their heated exchange.

A resident doctor approached Brian and reported, "Mister Martin, Miss Allen is awake. What should I tell her?"

Brian froze. He gulped and answered, "You need to call Riley–"

"Renee is awake?" Beatrice Martin stepped out of the room, having heard the conversation. "Finally! We have spent too much money on her!"

Zia did not get to speak to Brian anymore because her aunt, Beatrice, had pulled Brian aside, and they debated on something clearly important. Whatever it was they were talking about, Zia saw a hint of malice in her aunt's eyes.

'Miss Allen? Renee Allen?' Zia's recollection dawned as she remembered that this was Riley's mother.

Renee Allen had been involved in a car accident five months prior and had remained in a coma ever since. This was why Riley had been preoccupied. Maybe she was too busy visiting her mother and attending to Miss Allen's needs, and Riley didn't notice signs of Brian's betrayal.

***

At the King's Medical Center, Riley ate her hospital food with no enthusiasm. She had coleslaw and beef steak. Although the food looked enticing, it seemed so bland to her. Her heart was still aching from everything that was happening in her life.

Riley's phone rang suddenly. She picked it up, and upon seeing the name, she panicked. It was her mother's doctor!

"Hello, Doctor Wilson? How is my mom?" Riley asked on the phone.

"Mrs. Martin, your mother woke up from her coma earlier today. She has been asking for you. You must see her. Her recovery depends on it. Please, Misses Martin, this is important," the doctor said.

Riley immediately cried upon hearing the news. Her marriage may have failed, but at least her mom was now awake. She replied, "Thank you! Thank you! That's good news. Thank you for calling me Doctor Wilson."

"You are welcome, Mrs. Martin. There is just one problem, though," The doctor revealed.

"What is it?" Riley asked, still sobbing.

"Your mother needs a refill on her medications, but your—your husband, Mr. Martin? He has not paid for your mother’s medical fees for three months now, and he said that he won’t. He said he wants to talk to you first," the doctor resumed, shocking Riley.

Riley's lips trembled upon hearing this. She thought, 'Brian had not paid for three months? How could Brian do this?’

"Mrs. Martin?" The Doctor repeated.

"How come you never told me this, Doctor?" Riley asked.

"Mr. Martin always promised to pay and specifically instructed not to tell you, except until today when I met him," the doctor replied.

Riley felt her heart constricting again. What in the world was Brian doing with the money allocated for her mother’s hospital fees?

She and Brian had a company together. Well, technically, it was his money, but Riley co-managed the business. Together, they created Brey Jewelry & Apparel Co. Brian was the CEO, while Riley was the design director. Brian had given her shares of the company, and as a couple, they had agreed to pay the hospital with Riley’s profit shares. So, where had the money gone?

Her heart pounded violently as she replied, "Doctor, let me call Brian first because he should have made those payments.”

"Okay, Mrs. Martin. I’ll wait for your feedback. More than anything, your mother needs you for her own healing,” the doctor on the other line suggested.

Riley nodded. She responded, “I understand. I’ll be there.”

After ending the call, Riley contacted her husband, Brian. When he answered, Riley curtly asked, “Why didn’t you pay my mom’s hospital bill?”

“I was going to pay, but I got occupied,” Brian replied. “I will pay it right away as long as you sign the divorce papers today. Our lawyers are bringing the documents to me. Where are you?”

Riley knew Zia would oppose her leaving, but her mother's life was at stake. The nurses mentioned that Zia was still due to report for work in eight hours. Riley could not wait. So, Riley decided to sign a discharge waiver against medical advice.

After leaving the hospital, Riley went to her mother's house to freshen up and change. Later, she arrived at the Halliport General Hospital.

"I'm in the lobby. Where are you?" Riley asked Brian over the phone.

"In the ICU floor," Brian replied coldly. "Hurry."

In the four years of her marriage to Brian, Riley had earned a lot while leading their company's design team. However, she had also spent lavishly on her mother.

Renee Allen was a single mother who had made many sacrifices to raise Riley. When Riley began earning decent money, she bought her mother a house, car, jewelry, and other luxuries. Riley also had her own investments. Asset-wise, she could cover the hospital bills herself, but she lacked liquid funds, making Brian paying the bill the quickest solution.

When Riley arrived at the ICU, she saw Brian and his mother standing in the waiting area. She shook her head and walked toward them.

Thankfully, no one was nearby. Brian immediately handed her the divorce papers. "Sign this, and I'll pay your mother's hospital bill."

Riley felt Brian's curious gaze on her while his mother, Beatrice, was evidently glaring. Riley took the document, found a seat, and read the terms. She was shocked by his decision—he was taking back all her shares!

Riley’s brows met. She clarified, "You are taking back my shares?"

"I funded the company," Brian explained. "I gave you the shares so I can take them back. As part of the divorce settlement, you'll receive five million dollars, and I'll cover your mother's hospital bill up to the current date."

Riley took a deep breath. Sure, she had no monetary investment in the company, but she had put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. She reacted, "That may be true, but you can’t deny how I contributed to the company's success."

"Says who? You are a mere jewelry designer. My son can readily hire another one. You only got the director position because you are Brian's wife!" Beatrice Martin said in a harsh tone.

Beatrice's dislike for Riley stemmed from Brian's investment choices. She had always wanted him to invest in movies and real estate, not jewelry. However, Riley had always dreamed of becoming a jewelry designer, so Brian created the jewelry company for her.

Since Riley and her mother-in-law were not necessarily on good terms, it no longer surprised her that the older Mrs. Martin sided with Brian's mistress.

Riley read through the other terms in the contract. When she did, she grimaced and said, "You want me to give up all claims to my previous designs? Despite them being my designs?”

"The company's designs, Riley. As an employee, all your work belongs to the company," Brian corrected. "And aside from that, you'll need to be dismissed, Riley."

"We both know it will never work in our situation," he described. "The next part of the agreement will include a hundred-thousand-dollar compensation for your dismissal."

"Think about it, Riley. We won't have anything to do with each other after this," Brian concluded. "I'll move on with my life, and so should you."

'It still hurts,' Riley mused. No matter how much Riley thought about it, the pain lingered in her heart. However, she acknowledged Brian was right. Even though she felt she wasn't paid enough for her jewelry designs, she wanted this. This was an opportunity to have no more connections with Brian and his family.

Riley took a deep breath. She shut her eyes and focused on her anger. Brian had caused her emotional stress and pushed her to the floor for his mistress. He had caused her miscarriage.

When Riley opened her eyes, a tear fell down her face. Looking straight at Brian's eyes, she said with conviction, "I regret everything. I regret loving you and marrying you. You are right. I don't want anything to do with you. I hate you. It's better this way."

Riley noticed the shock on Brian’s face. However, she did not give him a chance to react. She signed her name and the other copies of the agreement.

Brian later awkwardly gave her the check, which Riley stuffed in her purse. She rose from her seat and demanded, "Now, pay the hospital fees, Brian. From this day onwards, we are strangers."

After leaving Brian and Beatrice, Riley went straight to the ICU. Her chest was congesting, still pained from seeing her husband. However, the second she saw her mother, she felt a sense of relief. She cried. Indeed, her mother was awake, and she was no longer connected to the ventilator.

Renee had her hands raised, reaching out to Riley.

"Ri—" Renee attempted to speak, but no words came out.

"Stay still, Mom. Stay still." Riley said before embracing her mother. "I'm here. I'm here. I'm not leaving you. You are going to get better soon. We will be together again."

Behind Riley, the doctor explained, "Since we had just removed her from the ventilator, it will take a few days for her voice to come back."

"We had already explained to her what happened. So far, she is responsive, nodding, and crying. So, she understands her situation. She simply needs more time to recover her strength," the doctor added.

Riley remained to hold her mother. At that point, she thought it was okay. She lost her husband and her baby, but she had her mother back. She supposed it was heaven's way of giving her something she had lost, and her mother was more than enough.

While tears continued to flow down her cheeks, Riley said, "Thank you! Thank you for my mother's recovery."

***

A few hours later.

"Mrs. Martin-"

"Please, stop calling me that. Brian and I have already divorced," Riley explained to Doctor Wilson.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," the doctor responded.

From outside the ICU rooms, Doctor Wilson discussed Renee's treatment plan, "We will start your mother with a soft diet: water and gel-based food, but most of her nutrition will still be delivered through IV. It's the rehabilitation that I am very concerned about. While we offer basic rehabilitation, our hospital is not fully equipped. We highly recommend moving your mother's care to the King's Medical Center. They have the best doctors and high-end facilities."

With the doctor's suggestion, Riley replied, "I think that's a good idea too."

When the doctor left, Riley received a call from Zia. She said, "Riley, how could you do this to me? Do you not realize I could get fired for leaving the hospital?"

"Zia, you won't get fired. I signed a waiver," Riley responded. "I texted you all the details. My mom is awake. She needs me."

"No, that's not it! The boss will fire me! You were my responsibility!" Zia said before making a fake cry over the phone.

"Boss?" Riley inquired. "You mean Adrian King? Don't be silly, Zia. Why would he?"

"He - he," On the other line, Riley could hear a man's voice talking to Zia, and she assumed it was Adrian. When Zia came back on the phone, she said, "Mister King said he came back to the hospital to collect a favor you promised."

'A favor?' Riley thought. Then, she remembered how they had this discussion last night.

"Oh, I see." Riley gulped. "I'm not running away. I just needed to see my mom. Right now, she is all that I have left, Zia."

Before Riley knew it, Adrian was talking to her on the phone. His voice was deep as he said, "Meet me at the Plaza Hotel in half an hour. It is important."

***

Half an hour later, Riley was sitting across the table from Adrian King.

As usual, Adrian looked like a force to reckon with despite sitting in a wheelchair. He was incredibly handsome. His face was very symmetrical, with sharp jawlines, a long and pointed nose, and piercing grey eyes.

However, despite being blessed with good looks, he had such an authoritative aura. His gaze was intense and unwavering, reflecting the strength of his character.

He heard everything that had happened to her that day: the divorce signing, her mother waking up, and potentially moving her to another hospital. He answered, "I will let my assistant arrange your mother's move to The King's Medical Center as soon as possible."

"It doesn't have to be soon. My mother won't be ready for rehabilitation in a few days," Riley said. "But I am very thankful for your help. I will surely repay you for your kindness."

"I only need one favor from you," Adrian said. He looked impassive at that moment, giving no hint of his inner thoughts.

"Yes, what is it? Anything," Riley willingly offered.

Adrian stared into Riley's eyes and declared, "After your divorce is finalized, marry me."

Riley's mouth fell on the floor, and her eyes rounded in shock. "W-what?"