Chapter 2

The next day, Ethan Wade gave me a gift.

He shoved the gift into my arms, his tone gentle: "I had a bad attitude last night, but I bought you some skincare products suitable for pregnant women."

I glanced at the bag.

The opening was wrinkled, and the seal sticker had one corner peeling up.

When I poured it out, there were several delicate little bottles, one of which had "NOT FOR SALE" printed on the bottom.

This bag was clearly just the sample gift pack the salesgirl gives when you buy the full-size products.

"What's wrong? Don't you like it?" Ethan Wade didn't notice my reaction and kept talking: "I heard it works really well. Do you like it?"

I lifted my head and smiled silently.

"I like it."

I picked up the bottle marked "not for sale" and shook it in my hand: "I'll use it well."

Ethan Wade breathed a sigh of relief, his face breaking into a smile again. He raised his hand to check his watch: "I have an early meeting today. Rest well at home."

He grabbed his jacket and left humming a tune.

The smile on my face vanished instantly. I picked up the paper bag and threw it in the trash.

After disposing of the garbage, I took a cab to the hospital.

Because I had an appointment, the gynecology outpatient process went quickly.

The doctor wrote me a prescription and told me to get an ultrasound to confirm the fetus's size and position.

I took the form and walked toward the ultrasound room. My phone suddenly vibrated.

It was a SnapChat message from Ethan Wade.

[I have a dinner meeting tonight. Won't be home for dinner.]

I had just put my phone back in my pocket when the door to the gynecology consultation room ahead opened.

A familiar figure walked out—it was actually Sophia Reynolds and her best friend Morgan Clark.

I deliberately turned my head away. They didn't see me.

Sophia Reynolds held a lab slip in her hand, radiating barely concealed smugness: "It's just a routine checkup. Why are you so nervous..."

Morgan Clark said enviously:

"How can I not be nervous? Everyone knows Ethan Wade treasures you like the apple of his eye. Last time you just casually mentioned wanting to see the ocean, and Ethan Wade took you to the Maldives."

"When you had menstrual cramps, Ethan Wade pushed back an important meeting and spent the whole afternoon with you. That kind of treatment—even the legitimate wife probably doesn't get it, right?"

"And, and—Ethan Wade buys you luxury skincare products but gives Claire the free sample gift pack."

"He bought you that limited edition bag without a second thought."

Sophia Reynolds laughed lightly: "For some women, as long as their husband tosses them scraps from the table, they can convince themselves it's some grand romantic gesture."

Morgan Clark laughed so hard she doubled over: "If I were her, I'd be so ashamed I'd jump off a building."

"That's why people need self-awareness. What's the use of holding onto a title? She's living like more of a joke than something respectable."

I felt a chill shoot from the soles of my feet straight to the top of my head. Nausea overwhelmed anger.

The lab slip in my hand was crushed into a ball, my nails digging deep into my palm.

Only when the stabbing pain came did it barely pull back my nearly collapsing rationality.

I took a deep breath, but couldn't stop my trembling fingers.

After watching them leave, I finally calmed down and turned toward the elevator in the opposite direction.

Then I opened my phone and checked yesterday's shipping information: [Your documents sent to the law firm have been signed for.]