Chapter 1

I was known throughout Brightville as the hopeless romantic, devoted to my wife, Valerie Lindberg, as if she were my very life.

But to her, our marriage was nothing more than a cage she desperately wanted to escape.

We were locked in this struggle for a full decade. I humbled myself completely, just to hold on to the title of her husband.

However, she did everything she could to break free, cycling through one young lover after another—even bringing them into our bed to indulge in their wild pleasures.

I thought we'd continue torturing each other like this for the rest of our lives.

Then the doctor told me I had late-stage brain cancer.

Holding that diagnosis in my hands, I looked back on everything I'd been through and felt nothing but exhaustion. Thus, I made my decision—I'd divorce Valerie and enjoy the three months I had left.

…

After sitting alone in the hospital corridor for what felt like hours, I finally put away the piece of paper that sentenced me to a countdown on my life. Reluctantly, I dragged myself back to the suburban villa.

To my surprise, Valerie was home.

As I listened to the escalating sounds coming from the bedroom, my heart twisted in the familiar sharp pain it had experienced countless times before.

But this time, it quickly faded, leaving only a bitter smile on my lips.

"Maybe this is for the best. At least I won't have to go around searching for her."

After a brief hesitation, I knocked on the door.

In the past, I never would've disturbed her at a time like this.

She had a fiery temper, especially when she was interrupted. And if her pleasure was cut short, she'd fly into a rage, smashing all the antiques I painstakingly gathered, just to vent her anger.

I used to feel the sting of my wasted efforts, hating myself even more for not being able to satisfy her in bed. As such, no matter how much my heart felt like it was breaking, no matter how bloody my hands became from pounding the walls, I never once interrupted her.

But now, I wasn't going to waste another second.

I didn't know how long I'd been knocking before I finally heard those familiar footsteps inside.

The door swung open, and there stood Valerie, her hair in disarray, a light sheen of sweat on her forehead, and an unnatural flush still coloring her cheeks.

The first words that escaped her lips were, "What's the matter? Couldn't handle eavesdropping anymore? Want me to help you get laid?"

She blocked the doorway with her slender frame. Her brows knitted tightly together, and her cold eyes were filled with nothing but disgust.

"Valerie, I want to talk to you."

Though I'd known for a long time that she didn't love me, the moment her gaze pierced me with that unmistakable disdain, it felt like a knife had been driven straight into my heart.

The pain made my voice catch in my throat, but my tone was more resolute than ever.

She hissed, "It had better be something urgent!"

Perhaps it was the determination in my eyes, but Valerie finally pulled her robe tighter and headed downstairs, throwing one last dagger of a glare my way as she walked past.

I eventually mustered the courage to say to her, "Let's get a divorce. I've already prepared the divorce papers. All you need to do is sign them."

Watching Valerie reluctantly sit on the couch, I forced myself to swallow the bitterness and handed her the papers. She didn't even bother to glance at them, only scowling deeper with impatience.

"It's been years, and this is the best you've got? Don't you find this little act boring, Jeffrey?"

"I'm serious this time. I've already signed them. You can give them to your lawyer and make it official right away," I said calmly, ignoring the contempt and hatred in her eyes.

Valerie glanced up at me, as if trying to gauge whether I was telling the truth. After what felt like an eternity, she reached out and took the papers at last.

"What's this? You're giving up the house, the savings, the shares? You don't want anything?"

She flipped through the pages and frowned at me in disbelief.

I replied, "Yeah, they're just material things. They're of no use to me now."

Over the years, I'd saved up a little money—not much, but enough to live worry-free for the next three months.

With my parents long gone and no other family left, there was nothing holding me back. I didn't want a penny from her; I just wanted a clean break.

But instead of signing the papers like I expected, Valerie threw them down in irritation.

"Who do you think you're fooling? Trying to play the victim by walking away with nothing, so everyone will point fingers at me? If you want a divorce, fine, but have the lawyer draft a new agreement.

"The villa is yours, pick any sports car you want, and I'll throw in another ten million dollars. Don't think you're going to make me look like the bad guy here."

She shot me a withering look and stormed off.

I wanted to call after her, but my head suddenly throbbed with such intensity that the world spun around me.

"Are you trying to fake being sick again to get sympathy? Jeffrey, even if you died right here, I wouldn't spare you a second glance."

Just before I lost consciousness, her voice echoed in my ears, as cold and full of contempt as ever—but this time with a faint trace of panic.

When I came to, I found myself lying in a hospital bed. Sensing someone nearby, I looked up instinctively, but Valerie wasn't there.

Instead, Andrew Stuart was in a chair, clumsily peeling an apple.

Andrew joined the company three years ago. Back then, he was barely over 20 years of age, in the prime of his youth. He had a face that looked as harmless as a puppy's, a six-foot frame, and a body rippling with muscle—perfectly playing up that irresistible contrast.

He quickly amassed a legion of adoring fans and caught Valerie's eye as well. She spoiled him endlessly, not just with luxury cars and villas, but with the best opportunities the industry had to offer.

She even gave him company shares and made an exception to let him attend board meetings.

Valerie devoted every free moment she had to him. They were inseparable, indulging in their desires wherever they pleased—at the company, hotels, even in the villa we once shared, leaving their mark everywhere.

Emboldened by Valerie's affection, Andrew transformed from an innocent young man into an ambitious wolf who treated me with blatant disrespect.

He constantly leaked information to the press, suggesting that he would soon replace me as the husband of Brightville's richest woman, with every intention of taking over my place in her life.

During his time in the spotlight, Valerie mentioned divorce almost daily, even openly declaring to the media that she planned to marry Andrew.

But I clung to our marriage and refused to let go, which only prolonged their frustration. Because of that, Andrew saw me as a thorn in his side, the one obstacle standing in his way.

"Jeffrey, you're awake. Are you feeling any better? Oh wait, I forgot. You're in the late stages of brain cancer. There's no getting better for you now."

Andrew paused his movements when he noticed I had woken up. He feigned concern while his voice,

only loud enough for us to hear, dripped with mockery.

The satisfaction in his eyes was evident.

I didn't have the strength or the desire to argue with him, so I slowly closed my eyes. Then, out of nowhere, I heard a set of familiar footsteps approaching the door.

Valerie came to see me in the hospital? Could it be that she found out about my cancer and was starting to feel regret, maybe even a bit of pity?

The sudden wave of hope that washed over me drowned out the bitterness in my heart. I snapped my eyes open, only to be met with the same icy expression.

"It's just a cold and fever, and here you are acting like you're on your deathbed. You're pathetic. Didn't you want a divorce?

"Well then, sign the papers, pack your things, and get out of my sight so I don't have to look at your face again!"

Valerie shot me a glare full of disdain, her words full of contempt. It was as though she were addressing something unworthy of being acknowledged as human.

"Valerie, don't be mad. Jeffrey's just too in love with you. He wants you by his side so badly that he's pretending to be sick. It's pretty sad, actually."

Andrew stood up and draped his arm around Valerie's shoulders, pretending to be understanding while falsely explaining on my behalf. Yet, he deliberately touched on her most sensitive nerve.

Ever since Valerie revived the Lindberg family with the support of my family, she had come to despise anyone mentioning my so-called devotion to her.

Andrew knew exactly what he was doing, adding fuel to the fire.

As expected, Valerie exploded in anger. Abandoning her polished socialite facade, she let out a harsh, cold laugh directed at me.

"Love me? He's not even worthy of that! Sign the papers now, take the money, and disappear from my life. If not, don't blame me for what happens next!"

With that, she grabbed her handbag and stormed out. Andrew quickly followed, but not before casting one last mocking glance at me, silently mouthing, "Die, loser."

Chapter 2

Even though I tried to keep myself in check while watching the two of them walk away arm in arm, I couldn't help the sharp, familiar ache that spread through my chest.

For a moment, I even regretted bringing up the divorce, tempted to tear the papers to shreds like I'd done so many times before.

Nevertheless, before I could act on the thought, a violent wave of pain crashed through my head. It felt like thousands of needles were stabbing into my brain and my skull was being pried open.

I clutched my head with both hands, gasping for air, desperately trying to find even a moment's relief. The pain was excruciating, leaving my body cold and drenched in sweat, each drop sliding down my forehead.

I had no idea how long it lasted, but when it finally eased, I found myself staring at the divorce papers in my hands. Without hesitation, I signed them and handed them to the nurse, asking her to send them to Valerie's lawyer.

Ten years of pouring my heart out hadn't moved Valerie one bit. How could I expect her to soften now, with only three months left for me to live?

It was time to live for myself, to experience whatever beauty and peace I could find in the world. That way, when the end came, I wouldn't regret my time on this earth.

With that resolve, I threw off the covers, got out of bed, and left the hospital, heading straight to the airport. I bought a ticket for the next flight to Netherwood.

My family had established their roots in Netherwood before relocating to Brightville when business priorities shifted.

I had spent a carefree childhood and the best ten years of my life in that city. It was where my life began, and it seemed only fitting for it to end there as well.

Valerie called in the middle of the night, just as I was settling into my hotel room.

"Jeffrey, get back here now! My stomach hurts!"

Her voice was strained with pain, each word spoken through gritted teeth. I could easily picture her pale and curled up on the bed, clutching her abdomen in agony.

In the past, I would've been beside myself with worry, rushing to soothe her with acupuncture and heat compresses. But now, I felt nothing. No panic, no urgency—just an unsettling calm.

Her pain was nothing compared to the physical and emotional torment she had put me through all these years. And it wasn't even real suffering; it was a hell of her own making.

Ever since Andrew came into the picture, Valerie had become reckless, throwing caution to the wind even during her menstruation.

Eventually, she developed chronic pain that even Brightville's top gynecologists couldn't cure.

I remembered watching her writhe in pain, torn between anger and heartbreak, feeling as though a knife was twisting in my gut.

Regardless, I used every connection I had to track down a traditional medicine doctor in a remote town who specialized in treating such conditions.

The old doctor was reclusive, refusing even the most exorbitant fees to make a house call.

In desperation, I spent three sleepless nights outside his clinic, pleading with him until he finally agreed to teach me his acupuncture techniques.

From then on, whenever Valerie's pain flared up, I would carefully perform acupuncture to ease her agony. Those were the rare moments when she showed me any kindness, and the faint smile that would grace her lips afterward was my only solace.

"I'm not in Brightville, and I can't return. Have Andrew take care of it. By the way, I've signed the divorce papers and sent them to your lawyer. Don't contact me again."

If my guess was right, she'd probably just slept with Andrew ten minutes before this call.

Be it the numbness of a heart that had finally died or the pain I wanted to return to her, my voice was flat and devoid of any emotion.

"You've got some nerve ignoring me! Jeffrey, you're going to regret this!"

Valerie's voice was a mix of fury and pain. I could almost hear her grinding her teeth through the phone. Then, there was nothing but the steady beeping of a disconnected call in my ear.

I stared at the phone for a moment, then turned it off and went back to sleep, though a small ripple of emotion lingered in my chest.

After all, she was the woman I had cherished for ten long years. It wasn't something I could just let go of overnight. That said, my life was ticking away. Even if I softened, I could only spare her three more months of pain relief.

Sure, I could be generous and teach Andrew the acupuncture and compression techniques. For the right amount of money, he'd probably take good care of her.

However, I didn't want to. I wanted her to remember me every time she doubled over in pain, to regret not treasuring me when she had the chance.

After Valerie's phone call, sleep was elusive, and I was restless. Thankfully, the night eventually passed, bleeding into dawn.

I tossed off the covers, got up, and went through my morning routine, deliberately dressing in the suit I'd carefully chosen the night before, trying to look as put together as possible.

I planned to visit the old Page family estate. Although it had been sold off years ago to cover debts when my family business, Page Group's finances took another hit, the place still held my childhood memories.

It was worth the visit for old times' sake.

But the moment I opened the door to my hotel room, I was met with an unexpected sight.

Valerie stood right in front of me. She was dressed in loose, casual clothes, yet still managed to look effortlessly stunning with her long legs, slim waist, and perfect curves.

However, her face was pale, and she appeared exhausted with dark circles under her eyes. It looked as if she hadn't slept all night.

"What are you doing here?" I hadn't anticipated seeing her and couldn't hide my surprise.

"Jeffrey, you've grown some nerve! You ran off and left me in pain all night. I almost died! So what if I left you alone in the hospital for one night? It was just a fever. Must you make such a big deal out of it?"

Seeing me seemed to unleash the full force of Valerie's pent-up frustration. She glared at me with such intense fury that I thought she wanted to tear me apart.

In the past, I would've rushed to her side and begged for forgiveness. But now, I didn't feel the need to placate her.

I considered walking away without a word, but there was a small part of me, a lingering sense of injustice, that wouldn't let go.

After a brief internal struggle, I decided to tell her the truth about my terminal brain cancer.

In any case, we were still married, so she deserved to know. And if she had even a shred of the affection we once shared, maybe she'd stay with me until the end.

At least then, I wouldn't have to face my final days completely alone—a fate too pitiful to bear.

"Valerie, I wasn't in the hospital because of a fever—" I began, looking directly into her eyes, speaking slowly. But before I could finish, a familiar voice cut me off.

"Valerie, it's all my fault. I didn't take good care of Jeffrey, and he felt neglected, so he ran away. Please, don't be mad at him!"

Andrew rushed over, his face filled with remorse as he looked at me, then turned to Valerie with those big, innocent eyes of his, ready to spew more nonsense.

"I-I'm so useless. Jeffrey helped you with acupuncture so many times right in front of me, but I still can't learn how to do it. I'm just too dumb!"

His sickly sweet words made my stomach churn, and I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes in disgust. But as usual, Valerie fell for it, her gaze softening as she looked at him.

Chapter 3

"It's not your fault; he's just acting out," Valerie said, looking up at Andrew with a tenderness I had never been the recipient of.

"Valerie, you don't have to comfort me. I'm not as smart as Jeffrey, and I'm always so careless. If it weren't for me, Jeffrey wouldn't have run off and left you suffering from stomach pain while you searched for him."

Despite Valerie's attempt to soothe him, Andrew didn't back down. Instead, he leaned into his role, eyes slightly reddened and voice softened, painting himself as the epitome of innocence.

He looked like the most harmless person on earth, and Valerie's heart melted instantly. Her delicate fingers brushed against his cheek, her voice full of sympathy. "Alright, don't be sad. It's not your fault."

Watching the two of them being so affectionate, I felt a sharp pain in my heart, as if a thorn had lodged itself deep within.

But I quickly forced myself to let go, realizing how foolishly fragile I still was.

Valerie had never hesitated to flaunt her relationship with him in front of me, even going so far as to bring him into our home, letting him wear my clothes, and sleep in our bed.

A few sweet words from her to him were nothing in comparison.

A wary smile crossed my face as I felt my heart harden. I stepped aside, intending to leave. But before I could, Valerie grabbed my wrist.

"Jeffrey, how long are you going to keep this up? Don't push your luck—my patience is limited!"

She glared at me, her patience worn thin as if I was the one being unreasonable.

"Valerie, we're divorced. You don't need to tolerate me any longer," I replied, a deep sense of exhaustion washing over me. I didn't want to argue anymore. "I have things to do. I'm leaving."

I wrenched my wrist from her grip, my tone calm, though I could see that my composure took Valerie by surprise. Her eyes widened in shock before narrowing with renewed fury.

"Jeffrey, I warned you not to test my limits. The Page family is finished. Crushing you would be as easy as crushing an ant!"

Her eyes blazed with rage as she hissed the words, her voice filled with venom.

Her outburst barely registered with me. All I could think of was leaving and finding somewhere quiet. I started to walk away, not even sparing her another glance.

But that only pushed Valerie further. She suddenly shoved me against the wall, her slim but strong fingers closing around my throat.

"Jeffrey, what do you want? If you keep pushing me, I won't show you mercy!"

Her voice was low and dangerous. For a split second, I thought she might actually kill me. Given her current status, her powerful legal team could easily cover it up even if she did.

The old me might have welcomed death at her hands. It would have spared me from witnessing her with someone else, from the agony of loving her, trapped in a hellish existence where every effort was in vain.

But now, I only wanted to live out my remaining three months in peace, not for anyone else, but for myself. I took a deep breath, summoning all my strength to break free from her grasp.

However, no matter how hard I tried, her hand remained firmly around my neck, unyielding.

For the first time, I realized just how strong Valerie truly was.

After our marriage, I defied my parents' objections and used Page Group's working capital to rescue the Lindberg family business from the brink of collapse.

This decision strained the company's finances, and it wasn't long before we started going downhill.

As the reality of our situation set in, Valerie's true nature began to surface. She was no longer the gentle, caring woman I had married; she became distant, forbidding me from even getting close to her.

She hired two highly skilled bodyguards who followed her everywhere. And when that didn't seem sufficient, she took up kickboxing and trained diligently for years.

I watched her every move, understanding her intentions all too well. The pain of it was overwhelming, but I never touched her again.

Her martial arts skills never had a chance to be tested.

"You've always wanted freedom, haven't you? I… I've signed the divorce papers." My voice came out strained, gasping for breath as the air in my lungs was slowly squeezed out.

"We were once married. Just let me go, and let yourself go too," I pleaded.

"Yes, I want freedom," Valerie hissed. "But you forced me to marry you and ruined my life. You will never escape, not ever! Even if we divorce, with my family's power, you'll never be out of my grasp."

Her words dripped with hatred, and her grip on my throat tightened until her knuckles turned white, as if she wished to snap my neck.

A wave of bitter despair washed over me. Yes, I had proposed the marriage, but she was the one who had come to me, tearfully begging for my help to save her family.

I had given her a choice: either agree to Page Group's acquisition of Lindberg Group, making it a subsidiary under her management while keeping all the old employees, or I would invest a significant sum to ensure the success of their life-saving project, but she would have to marry me.

She chose marriage.

As a businessman, investing Page Group's working capital into Lindberg Group was a high-risk move. Naturally, I expected a high return.

To me, Valerie was the most satisfying return on that investment. Even now, I didn't see my actions as wrong, yet she despised me for it.

"Marriage was your choice. I didn't force you. Valerie, don't you think this has gone too far?"

I struggled to speak as the suffocating pressure grew unbearable, and my vision blurred as my mind teetered on the edge of consciousness.

Nevertheless, I forced myself to stay awake, to keep my eyes open and fix them on Valerie, whose face twisted with hatred.

For ten years, I had never once defended myself, enduring her loathing and resentment in silence, hoping that one day she would realize the truth and return to my side.

But I could no longer bear to leave this world burdened by unjust accusations. I had to clear my name, even if it meant dying at her hands.

"Shut up! It's all your fault! All your fault!"

Valerie's fury reached a fever pitch, her eyes wild and vicious, like a feral animal driven mad. Her teeth clenched so hard I thought they might break, and she squeezed my throat with all her might.

My neck felt like it was about to snap. I struggled to breathe, but there was no air.

Suddenly, a bitter, metallic taste filled my mouth. I felt something warm and thick rush up my throat, spilling out from my lips.

Chapter 4

"Jeffrey, what are you playing at?"

Valerie's voice cut through the air, sharp and distrustful. The sight of blood on my lips seemed to momentarily unsettle her, and she instinctively loosened her grip.

Her brows remained furrowed while her eyes were still indifferent and filled with contempt. It was as if she believed I had bitten my cheek on purpose, faking the blood just to win her sympathy.

"Valerie, I don't have time to play games with you anymore." I wiped the blood from my mouth, my voice flat and emotionless. My eyes reflected nothing but a hollow emptiness.

"We're done. From now on, we owe each other nothing."

"Jeffrey, you—" Valerie began, her eyes narrowing as she glared at me.

She looked as if she wanted to stop me from leaving, but then her gaze fell on her blood-stained fingers. A flicker of something—perhaps guilt—crossed her face.

I took advantage of her hesitation and walked away.

Andrew, who had been lurking nearby, shot me a triumphant look, his lips parting as if he was eager to spew some snide remark.

I had no patience for him. With a hard glare, I silenced him.

He froze, his words catching in his throat.

After leaving the hotel, I didn't head to the old Page family estate as planned. Instead, I made my way to the cemetery on the eastern outskirts of Netherwood, where my parents and child were buried.

Yes, I once had the chance to be a father. But Valerie, in her cruelty, couldn't even allow that.

Shortly after we married, she unexpectedly became pregnant. Yet, instead of joy, she was filled with loathing for the tiny life growing inside her.

Without so much as a word to me, she decided to get rid of the baby.

By the time I arrived at the hospital, the child I had longed for, who shared my blood, was already gone, reduced to a pool of blood and tissue.

I remembered that day vividly—collapsing in the hallway outside the operating room, nearly losing my mind with rage and grief. However, I couldn't bring myself to blame Valerie.

I convinced myself that we had time, that we would have another chance, and that eventually, she would come to share my longing for a child.

But from that day onward, she never let me touch her again. Instead, she began to surround herself with a string of young men, becoming more brazen with each passing day.

Unable to bear the thought of losing my first child, I asked the doctor to preserve what was left and had the remains made into a specimen. I then found a beautiful spot and laid her to rest.

Now, kneeling beside the small grave, I gently touched the headstone, feeling a deep, painful gratitude that I had made that decision.

At least I had a place to mourn—to remember. After I died, this little headstone would be the only proof that she ever existed.

I swept the dust from the headstone, placing a pink princess dress and a Barbie doll in front of it.

The ultrasound had shown that Valerie was carrying a girl. If she had been born, she would be nearly nine years old now, hence the gifts.

After saying my goodbyes, I forced myself to stand, leaning on my knees for support. Then, I moved to the nearby double grave where my parents were buried.

"Mom, Dad, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. If I hadn't stubbornly insisted on marrying Valerie, our family wouldn't have fallen, and you both could have enjoyed your old age in peace."

My voice cracked as I knelt, staring at the smiling faces on their headstone. The pain in my heart was unbearable. Tears I had been holding back for so long finally fell, and I choked on my sobs.

If I hadn't diverted a large sum of Page Group's working capital into Lindberg Group, the company wouldn't have faced a financial crisis.

Dad wouldn't have suffered a fatal heart attack under the pressure of impending bankruptcy, and Mom wouldn't have succumbed to depression, passing away from the sorrow of losing him.

My vision blurred with tears as the weight of regret bore down on me. The pain was overwhelming.

If I could go back in time, I would never have gotten involved with Lindberg Group—I wouldn't even want to know Valerie. But there was no changing the past; some mistakes could never be undone.

Perhaps it was due to the grief, but my head grew heavy, and I leaned against the tombstone, my eyes closing involuntarily. As I drifted into what felt like unconsciousness, I had a vision.

On the distant lawn, I saw my parents, holding hands with a little girl dressed in a pink princess dress, playing happily. She had a Barbie doll in her arms, and when she turned to look at me, her eyes sparkled like the stars.

She was the most adorable child I had ever seen, exactly how I imagined my unborn daughter would grow to be.

"Mom, Dad, Nina, wait for me… Soon… We'll all be together again," I whispered, leaning against the cold stone, eventually losing consciousness.

I thought I would die miserably in some forgotten corner just like that, but to my surprise, I woke up again.

When I opened my eyes, the first faces I saw were Valerie's and Andrew's.

The sight of them brought a wave of exhaustion over me. I didn't want to engage in any more meaningless arguments, so I let my eyes close again.

But Valerie wasn't ready to let me go. The moment our eyes met, her impatience turned to anger, a fury that consumed her.

"Jeffrey, how long are you going to keep up this act? You talk about divorce, refuse to go home with me, then run off to the cemetery to cry and pass out, just to get photographed by reporters. Now everyone is accusing me of being ungrateful. Are you happy now?"

Valerie's voice was seething with rage, her eyes blazing with a fire that only made her look more striking. Even in her fury, she was stunning.

Once, her beauty was the most powerful weapon against me—a single tear could soften my heart, and a simple smile would make me fall for her all over again.

Now, all I felt was indifference, tinged with a growing resentment.

If I had never met her, I would still be the proud, respected heir of the Page family. I wouldn't be reduced to fighting with a pretentious guy, losing each time, and even risking my life.

But most of all, I hated myself for failing to see the ruthlessness behind her beautiful face.

"Jeffrey, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have come between you and Valerie," Andrew chimed in, his voice filled with feigned sincerity.

"If you're willing to clear up this misunderstanding and tell the media it was all false reporting, I'll leave Brightville for good and never come back."

Seeing the murderous look in Valerie's eyes, Andrew couldn't resist showing a flash of triumph before launching into his act. His words were so earnest that even I felt a twinge of emotion.

As expected of a top actor, his acting skills were flawless.

"Valerie, don't be angry. You'll hurt yourself," Andrew said, turning back to Valerie. "When I'm gone, please take care of yourself. Eat your meals on time, and don't drink alcohol."

His eyes began to well up with tears, and he looked as if he was torn between staying and leaving.

"Andrew, can you please stay out of this?" Valerie's tone shifted from anger to concern as she instinctively reached out to stop him. But before she could, she suddenly gagged, a dry retch escaping her lips.

Chapter 5

Valerie turned and bolted into the bathroom, where she collapsed in front of the toilet bowl, vomiting violently.

"Valerie, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick? Don't scare me like this." Andrew was clearly rattled by her condition. His voice trembled as he said, "Hold on. I'll get the doctor!"

He hurried out the door, stumbling in his panic, leaving Valerie alone as she continued to retch.

Seeing her in such a state stirred something within me, despite the numbness that had settled over my heart. I couldn't help but be reminded of when she was pregnant with Nina.

She had been just as sick then, though I was too inexperienced to recognize the signs, and she had deliberately kept it from me.

"Valerie, do you remember our child?" I asked, my voice low and devoid of strength. My gaze was hollow, but beneath the surface, I held onto a sliver of hope.

"Jeffrey, what nonsense are you talking about now?" Valerie snapped between bouts of nausea, glaring at me with a mixture of anger and resentment. It was as if my words made no sense to her.

Of course, she didn't remember.

Any hope I had crumbled in that moment. My eyes locked onto hers, cold and unyielding. "It's been nine years. I often dream of her, you know? She's always so lively, so full of joy.

"She was your child too. How could you be so heartless back then? If she had known her mother was a cruel woman, maybe she wouldn't have wanted to be born at all."

My voice was so hoarse it was barely audible, but I saw the shock in Valerie's eyes. Her hand instinctively moved to her abdomen.

"Valerie, your child will regret being conceived by someone like you. Maybe they'll go back to Heaven and remain an angel instead.

"And even if they come into this world, they'll hate you and refuse to acknowledge you as their mother," I added, my voice laced with bitterness and venom.

In that moment of Valerie's stunned silence, I was tempted to lunge at her, to knock her down and ensure that Andrew's child would meet the same fate as my daughter.

But I couldn't bring myself to harm an innocent child, no matter how much rage boiled inside me.

Instead, I chose the next best thing: I cursed Valerie and Andrew with all the malice I could muster, wishing them nothing but misery and misfortune.

"Shut up, Jeffrey!" Valerie screamed, clutching her stomach as she forced herself to stand.

She stormed over to me, pointing a shaking finger at my face. "When did you become so vicious? You used to be so kind! It's an unborn child—why would you curse them like that?"

"I'm not cursing the child—I'm cursing you and Andrew. You two will never find happiness! What's the matter? After all these years of being a heartless woman, have you suddenly developed a conscience?

"Do you think you can just switch to being a loving mother? What about my daughter? She never even got the chance to see this world. As her mother, don't you feel even the slightest bit of guilt?"

My eyes bore into Valerie's, which were wide with fury. Each word I uttered was cutting deep. But in truth, I knew it wouldn't matter.

No matter how much I cursed her, she would still safely deliver Andrew's child if she wanted to. By then, I would be long gone, worn down by illness, buried in the ground alongside my parents and Nina.

I could already picture them laughing and playing over our graves—the thought made me sick to my stomach. I couldn't bear the idea of that future, so I tried to plant a seed of doubt in her mind, hoping it would take root.

But that would only happen if she had even a shred of conscience left.

"I… I was…"

Valerie's voice was trembling now, filled with a mix of guilt and anger, but she couldn't quite find the words to fully explain herself. Her attempt to shift the blame was half-hearted and ultimately unspoken.

Seeing the slight crack in her icy demeanor brought a flicker of satisfaction to me. I stared at her with eyes as cold as a frozen lake.

"We're already divorced, and you're pregnant with another man's child. Yet you're still here, clinging onto me and causing trouble. Valerie, don't you think that's pathetic? Or is it that you're just a master at playing both sides? Once you lose control, you crumble?"

"I… Jeffrey, you… You bastard!"

The ridicule in my eyes caused Valerie to stamp her feet and shriek. But before she could say more, her face turned pale, and she collapsed onto the ground.

Just then, Andrew burst in with a doctor. His face was a mask of panic and fear. "Valerie, hang in there! The doctor's here! The doctor's here!"

He scooped her up, wailing as if he were at a funeral.

Clearly exasperated, the doctor cut through the chaos. "Enough shouting. Get her to the examination room immediately."

Realizing the urgency, Andrew hastily carried Valerie to the examination room. A little later, he reappeared in my ward, his earlier panic replaced by a look of smug satisfaction.

"Surprise, surprise! Valerie fainted not because of illness, but because she's pregnant. Didn't see that coming, did you?

"You probably didn't even consider that, especially since she hasn't let you near her. You're too cowardly to cheat, so you might have forgotten what a woman feels like.

"She didn't want me to use protection. She said if she got pregnant, she'd have the baby and even give the child the company shares."

Andrew gloated with a wide grin as he leaned casually against a chair to jab at me, his smugness bordering on arrogance.

But all I felt was a faint, lingering ache in my heart. For what Valerie would do for Andrew, and for my daughter who never got the chance to come into this world.

"You don't really think you're the only man in her life, do you? Sure, you're young and maybe a bit charming. But given Valerie's status, she could have any man she wants.

"What makes you think she'd stay faithful just for you? Besides, who knows how many other boys she's got on the side? I've seen a few myself. That baby could be anyone's."

I looked at Andrew with a cold, detached gaze. My tone was steady and emotionless, but every word I spoke cut through his smug expression like a blade.

Andrew was stunned, his face turning to one of shock and anger. He was struggling to reconcile my words with his own beliefs.

He knew, deep down, that with Valerie's connections, she could have anyone she wanted. It was naive to believe that he was the sole exception.

In reality, however, Valerie had only been involved with Andrew for the past two years.

Still, I chose to push his buttons. If my guess was correct, Andrew must have informed Valerie that my fainting was due to a cold, making her believe I was merely putting on a show.

I was merely using his tactics against him.

"You're lying! You're making things up!" Andrew's denial was fierce. His eyes were red with fury as he stared at me, unable to accept the truth.

As he stood up, he grabbed my collar and raised his fist, just as the sharp sound of a ringing phone interrupted him.