Chapter 3

Because I loved him, he felt free to demean me, to stomp all over my dignity, to let his endless string of mistresses walk all over me.

Everything I had endured all these years, it was simply because he knew I loved him.

How utterly ridiculous.

Their conversation continued.

"Holy crap! Jack, you're an animal!"

"But since your wife is so devoted to you, and you don't intend to divorce her, why did you trick her into having an abortion when she was pregnant with your child?"

At his words, I froze.

He was right. I had been pregnant with Jack's child.

But at three months, there was an accident. The railing on the second-floor staircase suddenly became loose, and I fell.

By the time I reached the hospital, the baby was gone. Not only that, the doctor announced on the spot that my body was damaged. Because my health was already fragile, it was highly unlikely I'd ever conceive again.

Coincidentally, the person who performed the abortion was Scarlett.

When I emerged from the operating room, Jack for the first time showed a glimmer of concern in his eyes.

He walked over and held me, his voice unusually gentle.

"It's okay. The baby's gone, but as long as you're alright, that's all that matters."

Back then, I was naive enough to think I'd finally touched his heart. Now, it was clear there was a hidden agenda.

"The doctors said your wife's condition was indeed critical, but with proper care, the baby might have been saved. But you? You kept it from her, sent her straight into surgery, and because of the forced abortion, she suffered permanent damage."

"I really don't get you, Jack. Can you tell me why you did it?"

Hearing this, Jack's expression turned complex, a mix of annoyance and something else. He lit a cigarette, squinted, took a drag, and said irritably:

"Why else? I wasn't done living it up, I wasn't ready to be a dad yet!

"Besides, Audrey getting pregnant was just a way for her to get a hold over me. Our families only arranged this marriage for business. If a child interfered with the Murray Corp.'s crucial interests, it would be a huge loss, wouldn't it?"

"Her physical harm wasn't my intention. I'll compensate her later. And don't ever bring this up again. If she finds out, she'll probably throw a fit."

My body trembled uncontrollably.

A tsunami of desperate emotions instantly consumed me. By the time I regained my senses, I had already walked directly in front of Jack.

My sudden appearance silenced the entire room, leaving only the sound of breathing.

Even Jack couldn't maintain his composure. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes. He coughed, looking at me with a hint of guilt.

"Since you're here, come sit down."

I didn't move, didn't speak. The atmosphere became impossibly awkward.

Seeing my silence, Jack's face tightened, clearly losing face. He frowned.

I knew this was his precursor to anger. I used to dread his temper, but now I simply and silently pulled the pre-drafted divorce agreement from my bag and placed it before him.

"Jack, I don't know when you'll ever be 'done playing,' but I'm tired of playing along. Sign this divorce agreement, and you can play however you want. I won't interfere, and I certainly won't try to use a child to affect Murray Corp.'s crucial interests."

"We're done, Jack."