Chapter 2

At my words, Derek’s arms, wrapped around Chloe, stiffened.

The venomous look in his eyes instantly dissolved into panic.

"Victoria! You... how could you bring up our private matters in front of everyone?! Are you insane?"

I sneered, a chill seeping into my heart.

He was the one who proposed it back then, to make me feel secure enough, that’s why he had the vasectomy.

Watching his frantic rush to protect Chloe, I asked, "You didn't tell her, did you? What, afraid she'd find out and wouldn't like you anymore?"

Chloe cried, stepping forward to grab my arm and explain, "Ms. Albright, I've already proven that Mr. Johnson and I have a completely innocent relationship. Why won't you believe us?"

"And how can you mock Mr. Johnson like that? Even if Mr. Johnson can't have children, he's still so decisive and efficient! If I were his wife, I'd never mock him like you do!"

I shoved her away in disgust.

I hadn't used much force, but she tumbled to the ground.

And she dragged me down with her.

A sharp pain shot through my knee. I was about to demand an explanation when I saw Derek frantically shield Chloe's stomach.

Catching my gaze, Derek abruptly pulled his hand back.

I gave a self-mocking laugh, staggering to my feet.

He frowned as he watched me limp on my injured leg.

The leg injury was from saving him. Back then, he was young, reckless, and always getting into trouble.

I was kidnapped by his enemies, and the tendons in my leg were severed, leaving me paralyzed for a year.

It was also because of that incident that he had the vasectomy.

Derek reached out to help me, but I swatted his hand away.

He looked displeased, then forcefully scooped me up and placed me on the sofa. "How long are you going to keep this up?"

He pulled up my pant leg, looking at my seemingly uninjured leg, and sneered, "I knew it. I distinctly remember it healed ages ago, so how could it still hurt? Just stop pretending."

"Victoria, when did you become so petty and calculating?"

Hearing his words, my heart completely died.

Even if the skin on my leg showed no outward damage, inside it was riddled with scars.

"Is Chloe's child yours?"

I asked directly what was on my mind.

It wasn't that I was being suspicious without cause. During the year I was recovering, Derek initially stayed by my side, consumed by guilt.

But later, he started using the excuse of being busy with work to stay out all night.

I looked at the pearl necklace around Chloe's neck.

Derek had paid a high price for it at an auction. I thought it was a holiday gift for me.

But now it was on Chloe.

Perhaps during that year I was recovering, he fell in love with Chloe and had a child with her.

And the vasectomy was just a smokescreen.

Derek looked at me, his face pale. "What nonsense are you talking about? Fine, I don't have to keep her, I'll just fire her..."

Before he could finish, Chloe screamed, clutching her stomach.

Seeing this, Derek scooped her up without another word and rushed out.

I shook my head with a sarcastic smile and called my father.

"Dad, Derek is tainted. Cancel all the company shares we were going to give him..."

Before I could finish, I was suddenly struck from behind and everything went black.