Chapter 3

Damien clearly flinched, then his face contorted in pain.

"I never thought you could be so cruel. If this is a condition for marriage, then we truly aren't meant for each other... Let's break up."

"Scarlett, Damien is innocent, don't take your anger out on him!"

Willow suddenly burst into loud sobs.

"Blame me if you want, I just can't bear to lose this baby... But I'll prove our innocence with my life right now!"

Before her words even faded, she lunged towards the balcony, as if to throw herself over.

My heart leaped into my throat, and I instinctively started to rush forward.

Damien, already frantic, was faster.

But before either of us could reach her, Willow collapsed onto the floor, convulsing with sobs.

Damien pulled her into his arms, his entire body trembling.

After a long moment, he looked up, his eyes icy as he stared at me, still standing rooted to the spot.

"Scarlett Hayes! Your baseless accusations almost killed Willow!"

His gaze was frigid, like he was looking at a stranger.

"She's just a young woman, pregnant. You might stand by coldly, but I can't."

His voice was shaking.

With that, he carefully lifted Willow into his arms, walked up to me, and snarled,

"Move!"

I stood frozen, my mouth opening.

"I didn't mean to..."

"Damien, the baby... I think the baby's coming."

Willow suddenly let out a weak whimper, then fainted.

"Willow!"

Damien's face instantly went ashen.

He forcefully shoved me aside and rushed out the door, carrying Willow.

I fell to the floor, biting down hard on my lip, but I couldn't suppress the icy dread swirling in my heart.

I stayed awake until dawn, my phone finally lighting up with a message from Damien:

"Last night, I was too anxious, and my words were harsh."

"Scarlett, I'm sorry."

My nose stung, and tears instantly welled up.

For years, he was always the first to apologize after an argument, and I would always forgive him.

But this time was different.

I couldn't forgive this.

Before I could reply, he sent another photo.

It was a picture of him with a newborn.

The tiny infant was cradled carefully in his arms, and he looked down at the child with eyes as tender as spring water.

"Willow had an early delivery, but thankfully, both mother and daughter are safe."

"The baby looks a lot like me."

"She has no family or friends, so I need to stay at the hospital for three days."

"Let's postpone the wedding for a week. I truly can't handle anything else right now."

These seemingly ordinary words, every single one of them, pierced my heart.

I numbly stood up, tearing down the wedding photos from the wall one by one, then picked up scissors and shredded my wedding dress.

My fingers trembled uncontrollably as I packed my suitcase.

Just as I zipped it shut, Mrs. Thorne pushed open the door, a barely concealed look of delight on her face.

"Damien asked me to bring him some fresh clothes to the hospital. And as a grandmother, I'm eager to see my little granddaughter."

Seeing me silent, she warmly took my arm.

"Scarlett, Damien was wrong this time, he shouldn't have hidden the sperm donation from you, it hurt your pride. But it's not some unforgivable crime, right?"

"Auntie knows your feelings run deep. You can't just throw it all away over a small thing like this, can you? What you said in the group chat yesterday was just anger talking, let's not take it seriously."

"Come, come with me to the hospital to see the baby. Give Damien an out, and we'll just put this whole thing behind us."

I was dragged along like a lifeless doll, and by the time I snapped back to reality, I was standing at the hospital room door.

Willow lay weakly in the hospital bed, her pale face still streaked with tears, clearly having suffered a lot during childbirth.