Chapter 2

"Lynn Smith, what's that supposed to mean?"

Derek was silent for a long while before responding.

Then came a barrage of messages.

"You're still pregnant. Don't get upset. I know I've been working too much overtime lately—that's on me. Once this busy period is over, I'll spend quality time with you. How about we go on a trip?"

"If you don't like me staying in these kinds of rooms, I can just crash at an internet cafe for the night. It's the same thing. Lynn, please don't scare me with messages like that, okay?"

I gripped my phone tightly and closed my eyes. Then I replied:

"No need, Derek. You don't have to say any of this. We're definitely getting divorced."

He quickly sent a voice message:

"Honey, are you under too much stress from the pregnancy? I know you used to be childfree, and deciding to have a baby for me took a lot of courage..."

Before I could finish listening to the voice message, a video call came through.

After I hung up on him several times, Derek finally lost control, his tone tinged with anger.

"Lynn! Even if I've been working overtime and neglecting your feelings, that's no reason to talk about divorce!"

"We've been together for years! If you have issues with me, you can tell me. We can talk it through. Why would you hurt me like this?"

"Please, just answer my call, okay?"

I looked at his words and couldn't help but laugh bitterly. I slowly typed out a few words.

"No reason?"

"There's plenty of reason, Derek."

After seeing those words, Derek's next voice message had a colder tone.

"I'm doing all of this for you and the baby so we can have a better life. Do you really have to pick a fight with me?"

"Don't bother. I don't care. Neither does the baby."

While talking to him, I had already logged into his shopping account.

Sure enough, there were many gifts that didn't belong to me.

From designer handbags, jewelry, and skincare products to more discreet adult items.

He'd even used a secondary account to buy these things, afraid I'd catch him.

I took a deep breath, forcing down my trembling.

Part of me wanted to scream and fight, but when I thought about it, there really was no point.

For two people to reach this ending—it was enough.

We were adults now. Hysteria would be too ugly.

I absently touched my belly, feeling sorry for this child.

My phone kept buzzing, but Derek didn't come home all night.

The next day, as soon as I arrived at the office, I saw Derek in the reception room at the front desk.

When he saw my red, swollen eyes, he froze, then showed obvious heartache.

He walked over quickly, took my hand, his voice hoarse and reeking of cigarettes.

"Lynn, what's going on?"

It was clear he'd been smoking all night.

But I knew his night had probably been quite exciting and stimulating.

After all, it was a couple's suite—over eight hundred dollars a night.

I calmly pulled my hand away and turned to leave. Derek quickly blocked my path.

"You can't just refuse to communicate, Lynn. I'm begging you—I didn't sleep all night."

Since he insisted on discussing our private matters at my workplace, I looked him straight in the eye and spoke concisely.

"We're getting divorced. Which part don't you understand?"