He once promised to share every joy and sorrow with me.

Now, he wouldn’t even drink the bitter medicine that left his tongue numb.

But I always saw him eating cake in the pictures Holly posted in her circle of friends.

I was the only one who made endless trips to the hospital—enduring examinations, filling prescriptions, and boiling medicinal brews.

I drank it all in one breath, as if the child was an answer to my prayers.

I took a taxi to the hospital, touching my belly and bowing my head in silent prayer.

My child.

I’m sorry that your father doesn’t look forward to your birth.

Maybe you are more suited to be reborn into a happy, complete family.

After going through the tedious process, I trembled and signed my name on the surgery confirmation form.

The result of three years of hope and prayers was ended by my own hands today.

Walking out of the operating room, I felt dizzy and weak.

I sent Darrell a message, asking him to pick me up.

In the chat window, a photo popped up—Holly in revealing lace underwear.

From the angle, it was clear the picture was taken by someone standing directly in front of her.

I clicked on it, but it was withdrawn almost immediately.

I turned, and her sweet, delicate voice broke the silence behind me.

"I’m so sorry. I sent it to the wrong person," Holly said, her tone dripping with mock innocence.

"Are you asking Mr. Thornton to pick you up from the hospital? Sorry, but he’s busy with business matters right now and may not be able to come."

"Who are you to decide for him? Are you his secretary or his keeper?"

Before she could say anything else, I turned off the phone, my chest tightening with heaviness.

…Even his secretary had control over his phone now.

I remembered the last time he had quickly turned his screen away when I glanced at it.

Later, he explained he was waiting for updates from an important client and couldn’t risk distractions.

But I had already seen the truth—there was only one name in his chat box: Holly.

Darrell’s Porsche eventually pulled up, the window rolling down to reveal his indifferent expression.

"What’s so urgent that I had to come here myself? Can’t you just take a taxi back? And seriously, be more polite when you talk to Holly. Since when did you develop such a bad temper?"

His words cut deeply, but I remained silent.

I opened the car door on my own, feeling the faint ache in my abdomen from the operation.

Without a word, I reached for a bottle of water, but my hand froze.

There were items in the car that didn’t belong to me—a strawberry-shaped hairpin, scattered food crumbs, and… a woman’s thong tucked discreetly under the seat.

Darrell had always prided himself on being a clean freak, never allowing food in the car.

Yet here was undeniable evidence of someone else’s presence.

Once, when I had dysmenorrhea, I craved a hot milk tea to ease the pain, but it wasn’t allowed.

Now, not only is food allowed in the car—

Even...

Principles can be bent, but only for someone else, never for me.

The pit in my stomach deepened, a wave of nausea rising as my emotions hit rock bottom.

"What’s wrong now? Still sulking? Do you even realize how much business I lost because of your call?"

Darrell frowned, his tone carrying a hint of reprimand.

"Forget it, I won’t argue with you. It hasn’t been easy for you with all these hospital visits lately. As for the child, don’t stress about it. It’s not urgent."

I nodded mechanically, my mind blank. I just wanted to get out of the car, away from him, and return to the quiet of my room.

At home, I took a long, hot bath, hoping to wash away the weight pressing on my chest, and then tried to sleep.

Darrell returned at noon.

He held a bouquet of radiant foxtail lilies in full bloom, his features softened by tenderness.

Kneeling beside my bed, he gently brushed the stray hair from my face.

"Baby, I saw these lilies you love at the flower shop and thought of you."

I froze for a moment, startled by the gesture. But before I could speak, Darrell continued.

"I’ve been thinking a lot about Holly these past couple of days. She’s from a poor family, but she’s incredibly capable at work and takes great care of me. I can’t stand to see such talent wasted."

"Fortunately, you’re tolerant enough to let Holly live in our house. I promise she’ll move out once she officially joins the company."

It turns out that all of this was for Holly.

Darrell smiled as he pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it. Inside was a sparkling five-carat diamond ring.

He took my hand, intending to slide it onto my finger immediately.

He always tried to smooth things this way whenever we fought.

I instinctively pulled my hand back.

Darrell paused, his expression shifting into confusion.

He always said I looked paler on the days I took medicine, but today felt different.

"... A beautiful diamond ring like this, and I haven’t even put on makeup or changed my clothes yet. It wouldn’t feel right to wear it now."

He didn’t seem to notice the awkwardness of my lie—or maybe he didn’t want to question it too much.

Darrell smiled softly, gazing at me with affection, and spoke, "No matter how time changes, you are as beautiful to me as ever."

"I once swore that even though I couldn’t provide you with the best material life, I would compensate with my heart. Now, I have a material life, and my heart is still yours."

Darrell and I were college classmates.

Back then, his family wasn’t well-off, and he worked hard for scholarships.

I was drawn to his determination and passion.

Even though my mother didn’t believe he had potential later, I resolutely chose the latter between family and love.

I gave up my career and devoted myself to cooking for him.

Five years have passed since then.

For his son, whom he constantly yearned for, I’ve become like a medicine jar, soaked in the scent of medicine.

I am no longer young and beautiful.

Yet, when I hear Darrell’s words again, my heart is moved.

How much does our eight-year relationship truly weigh in his heart?

"Wife, you look very uncomfortable. Let me take you to the hospital."

"You’re always taking medicine, and your complexion is even worse."

I didn’t have time to respond.

In the next moment, Darrell suddenly received a call and rushed out.

"Wife, I’ll take you to the hospital later. There’s a client I need to meet personally."

"It won’t be long, wait for me."

I sat quietly on the sofa, waiting for him for two hours.

Two hours later, I saw a post from Holly’s circle of friends.

The photo was taken at a high-end custom restaurant.

There was a very conspicuous heart-shaped candle placed between the two sets of tableware.

The caption read "He said I’m the most beautiful woman. Stinky men are always slick, so annoying~"

I once wanted to try this restaurant.

It's just that Darrell said he couldn't get an appointment.

But it wasn’t impossible to get one.

The "client" he needed to receive wasn’t me.

I clicked a thumbs-up.

I called the lawyer and asked him to draft a divorce agreement.

Darrell called, "I won’t be back tonight. Remember to attend the family dinner tomorrow at noon. You can take a taxi here by yourself. Holly got hurt and I took her to the hospital."

"...Brother, I want more..."

He hung up the phone hurriedly, as if he were afraid I’d hear him.

I pulled a mocking smile at the corner of my mouth.

There was no more ripple in my heart.

Even if I didn’t want anything to do with the Thornton family anymore, there were some things I had to handle personally.

At the family dinner, Thornton’s mother glanced at me and finally settled on my belly.

With a tone of regret, she said, "Alex, why is there still no movement in your belly? It’s been so many years, it’s really a sin."

"Our Thornton family finally produced a dragon and phoenix-like Darrell, and we can’t let your hands tarnish it."

I took a sip of hot tea, my expression unchanged.

If it weren’t for the last 600,000 I had used as startup capital for Darrell, there wouldn’t be a Thornton family today.

But all they seem to care about is pressuring me to have a child, as if I were nothing more than a reproductive tool.

Darrell’s cousin, Red Thornton, looked at me with disdain.

She echoed Thornton’s mother’s words, "Yes, I think it’s better if my cousin finds someone else. We can’t let our Thornton family name be cut off like this."

"Some people take up space without contributing anything. You’ve been living off the Thornton family for so long—outsiders call you Madam Thornton out of respect, but in reality, you’re just a useless ornament who can’t give birth."

I raised my head and met Red’s gaze with a fake smile.

"Okay, Red is 20 this year. I think your age would be perfect. You seem so concerned about your brother, why don’t you go ahead and give him a child?"

Mother Thornton looked absolutely shocked by my words, her hand pointing at me, speechless, stuttering "you, you, you" repeatedly.

Before she could respond, Darrell and Holly arrived late.

He didn’t even glance my way, instead pushing a perfectly dressed Holly forward.

"Mom, this is my new assistant, Holly, the one I mentioned before. Isn’t she beautiful and capable?"

"You’ve always wanted to meet her. I’ve been so busy lately that today is the first chance I’ve had."

Mother Thornton nodded with a satisfied smile, and Holly lowered her head shyly.

She leaned in and whispered to Aunt May.

"Auntie, I’m pregnant…"

Mother Emily Thornton’s eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly pulled Holly to sit next to her, whispering.

The words reached my ears, and my heart sank slightly. A faint, mocking smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

Darrell’s mother must be disappointed in me—Mrs. Thornton, who couldn’t give her a grandchild.

Perhaps she’s eager to replace me. I just wonder if Darrell knows.

I reached out and casually pulled the jade bracelet Mother Emily gave me from my wrist.

I placed it on the table and began to stand up to leave.

The bracelet, once elegant, had become tarnished over time. It was the same bracelet Thornton’s mother gave me when I first met her, after eloping with Darrell.

It symbolized her recognition of me as her daughter-in-law.

Even though I received more expensive pieces later, I never took it off.

But now, it seems she’s found a more suitable candidate, and I no longer wish to be Mrs. Thornton.

It’s time to return it.

Darrell’s gaze darkened, his voice laced with impatience. "Alex, can you stop causing trouble? This was my mother’s dowry. You can wear it if you want, or toss it aside if you please. Who do you think you are?"

"I think you take yourself too seriously. You’re not as obedient or sensible as Holly. If you walk out of this door today, you won’t be part of the Thornton family anymore. Do whatever you like!"

I paused briefly before turning and walking out quickly.

"Oh, Alex looks upset. You brought Holly in and made her angry. Are you going to chase her now? After all, you’ve known each other for eight years, gone through highs and lows together. Back when the company was in crisis, Alex sold all her valuables and somehow got two million to save the company."

Someone at the table offered the reminder kindly.

Darrell curled his lips, shaking his head with a sneer. "I’ve never been unfair with her financially. I’ve just spoiled her too much. Her temper is getting worse. She’s not as gentle or sensible as Holly."

"Where else would she go? Don’t worry about her. She’ll come back on her own."

Unfortunately, he was wrong this time. I had already booked a flight to New York for 8 o’clock tomorrow night.