Chapter 2

"I understand." I nodded obediently, sneering inside.

Busy accompanying Lily to prenatal checkups, right?

After Derek left, I immediately drove to his company.

As a business partner, I had legitimate reasons to be there.

I went straight to Derek's department. He was in the conference room. Through the glass window, I saw him focused in discussion with colleagues, the picture of a dedicated professional.

Who would have guessed this seemingly upstanding man was doing such things behind the scenes?

I turned around and saw Lily standing not far away holding coffee. She wore the company uniform with her hair in a ponytail, looking pure and innocent.

I walked over, feigning surprise:

"Lily? You work here?"

Lily clearly hadn't expected to run into me. Her expression changed and the coffee cup in her hand wobbled. "Y-yes, I just started recently."

"How wonderful." I smiled and approached her. "You should have told me. We could look out for each other."

"I didn't want to bother you..." Her voice grew quieter as she lowered her head.

I could feel her nervousness. She didn't dare meet my eyes, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

"How could it be a bother?" I deliberately patted her shoulder. "By the way, how have you been? I haven't heard from you in ages."

"Pretty good, everything's fine..." she answered vaguely.

At that moment, Derek emerged from the conference room. Seeing us standing together, his face instantly froze.

"What are you doing here?" He quickly walked over, subtly positioning himself between Lily and me.

"I came to see your work environment." I smiled and linked my arm through his. "And to see Lily. You didn't even tell me she works here."

Derek forced a smile. "I only found out recently myself. Haven't had a chance to tell you yet."

"I see." I nodded, not exposing his lie.

At lunch, I made a show of asking if work pressure had been too much lately and whether he felt unwell.

As he ate the food I served him, he said emotionally, "You care about me the most, Victoria. I'm so lucky to have you."

Watching his fake performance, I nearly threw up.

"By the way," I said as if suddenly remembering, "my friend mentioned a nice property development. Should we look at houses too?"

Derek's chopsticks paused. "Look at houses? Our current place is fine, isn't it?"

"But that place is too small. If we have children later, there won't be enough room." I tested him.

His expression clearly changed. "Children aren't urgent. We're under enough financial pressure as it is."

Ha. When buying a house for Lily, he didn't mention financial pressure.

"True, let's wait then." I agreed on the surface while seeing his ugly nature crystal clear.

That afternoon, I used the restroom as an excuse to deliberately pass by Lily's workstation.

She was chatting with a colleague. I heard her say, "The doctor said the baby is very healthy. Already four months along."

"You're so lucky. Your boyfriend treats you so well—bought you a house and takes such good care of you," the colleague said enviously.

"I know. He said once the baby is born, he'll marry me." Lily's face glowed with happiness.

Marriage?

I laughed coldly. He was still married to me and already planning to marry someone else?

Then Lily noticed me. Her face went white.

"Victoria." She stammered as she stood up.

I walked over with a gentle smile. "I just found out you're pregnant? Congratulations."

She instinctively protected her belly. "Thank you."

"But you haven't mentioned your boyfriend. How does he treat you?" I continued.

"Very well," she said, not daring to meet my eyes.

"That's good. Young people should cherish what they have. Don't let yourselves be deceived." I looked at her meaningfully, then turned to leave.