Chapter 3

I don't know how much time passed before Nealon returned, smelling faintly of perfume.

He noticed I hadn't waited up for him and had gone to bed early, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.

"I'll be working late often from now on."

His voice was cold:

"Don't bother me unless it's something important."

"But I'm pregnant, I—"

"Then you just stay home and focus on your pregnancy!"

Nealon's disgust intensified:

"Don't use the child to tie me down."

A bitter taste filled my mouth.

It wasn't until I died in our last life that I learned he always hated me for revealing my pregnancy in the fire, forcing him to save me in front of so many people.

He believed I had deliberately used the baby to force him to abandon her.

That's why this time, before I could even speak, he immediately ordered everyone to save Scarlett.

I had no energy to care about his disdain.

I quietly calculated my departure time.

Five more months.

In five months, I'd take the college entrance exam.

In my previous life, I hadn't performed well and only got into a mediocre university, a lifelong regret.

Since fate had given me a second chance, this time I wanted to aim for the University of Mississippi.

Nealon didn't notice anything amiss.

His absence from home actually made things easier; I could study and take care of myself.

Five months flew by. My belly was visibly rounded, and the baby's movements grew more frequent.

Nealon, who had consistently ignored me, often staying at Scarlett's house, suddenly returned home a week before the exam with supplements and toys.

"I've booked an appointment with a doctor."

He pursed his thin lips:

"While you have time, go for a massage; it can ease labor pains."

I was surprised.

He actually remembered that in our last life, I had a difficult delivery with our daughter and almost died on the operating table.

My heart ached with a bittersweet pang.

Even if he didn't love me, at least he still loved our daughter.

"Okay, I'll go."

I agreed.

The next day, I arrived at the hospital early.

"I heard you sold your exam spot."

While waiting in line, Mrs. Henderson from the housing compound squeezed next to me and asked:

"Other places, you can sell a spot for over a thousand dollars. How much did you get?"

My mind buzzed.

We only had one exam spot allocated to our compound.

I had worked so hard to get the top score and earn that spot; there was no way I would sell it.

"I didn't sell it. How did you know?"

I panicked.

Mrs. Henderson looked puzzled:

"Scarlett has been bragging about going to the exam for ages. You didn't know? We're from the same compound; whose spot would she use if not yours?"

My heart clenched.

I rushed home from the hospital immediately.

When I found Nealon, he was celebrating with his friends, sending Scarlett off.

Seeing me, everyone's faces turned sour.

"How could you give my spot to her?!"

I asked, barely suppressing my anger.

"She deserves to go to college more than you do."

Nealon's gaze fell on my swollen belly:

"You just need to focus on your pregnancy and take good care of the baby, be a good mother. Going to college isn't something you should be thinking about."

"This is the spot *I* earned. You have no right—"

"I'm your husband. Of course, I have the right."

He stood up, opened the door, and forcefully pushed me out:

"While I still have patience, don't embarrass yourself any further."

The door slammed shut.

Laughter and conversation resumed inside.

In my previous life, even though I only attended a mediocre university, with that degree and my solid professional skills, I was favored by my superiors and my career flourished.

That's why, in this life, Nealon was willing to snatch my exam spot and give it to Scarlett.

I let out a bitter laugh, and, cradling my belly, I found Mr. Davidson, my superior.

"This is my divorce application."