Chapter 4

The door closed.

So, Daniel, the lawyer known for his rationality, his calm demeanor, and his refusal to ever back down.

He, too, would abandon all his pride and boundaries, clumsily seeking reconciliation with someone.

He, too, would willingly cook seafood soup for someone.

And I had been married to him for five years, yet I didn't even know he could cook.

Tears streamed uncontrollably.

I cried myself to sleep.

In my dream, I was back on the beach that year, Daniel holding me, gently saying:

"Chloe, I'll protect you forever."

But the next second, the scene shattered, and Scarlett appeared.

Daniel was intimately holding and kissing her hand.

And I, along with the baby in my belly.

Were forever abandoned in the cold ocean.

My breathing grew painful, and my stomach cramped.

When the pain woke me, my pillow was already soaked.

I couldn't tell if it was sweat or tears.

The curtain was pulled back.

A man in a suit stood by the bed next to mine.

Scarlett saw me and greeted me warmly:

"Miss Chloe, you're awake! Hello, my name is Scarlett. I'm so, so sorry about yesterday. It was my fault for accidentally hitting you. It was completely careless of me to drink and drive, and you got so badly hurt, even affecting the baby. Please, can you forgive me?"

She offered me a bowl of seafood soup.

"My boyfriend made this for you. I haven't seen your husband since yesterday. You're pregnant, so you should eat something nutritious."

I didn't take it, just asked, "Boyfriend?"

Scarlett didn't deny it, just blushed slightly, looking shy.

"Well, 'ex-boyfriend' who I've loved for eight years, I suppose. Yesterday, when the accident happened, I was so scared I called him. I didn't expect him to rush back from overseas overnight."

I symbolically took the bowl but didn't drink.

I'm allergic to seafood.

Plus, during pregnancy, any strong, fishy smell already makes me nauseous.

So I had no appetite.

Seeing this, Scarlett bit her lip:

"Miss Chloe, you won't drink it. Does that mean you won't forgive me? Are you still angry? I really didn't mean it."

She was the one who hit me, causing my baby's condition to be unstable.

Yet, standing there, she showed no remorse; instead, she looked like she was the one who had suffered a grave injustice.

Seeing my silence, she dropped her warm demeanor:

"Miss Chloe, my ex-boyfriend is a lawyer. He insisted on helping me. Originally, I didn't want to make things so tense, but now it looks like we'll have to involve the lawyers."

A legal assistant nearby stepped forward and handed me a settlement agreement.

"Hello, I'm an assistant to Mr. Daniel from Sterling Law Firm."

"This is a settlement agreement. If you're willing to sign it, we can discuss the compensation terms."

I raised my hand, not even looking at it.

I gently pushed it away.

"I won't sign."

Scarlett frowned, apparently finding me uncooperative.

The lawyer stiffened.

After a moment, he awkwardly pulled out his phone and made a call.

During the long ringing.

Scarlett looked at me, a flicker of triumph in her eyes.

The call was answered.

From the receiver, Daniel's voice came through.

"Speak."

"Mr. Daniel, the other party won't sign. What should we do?"

Daniel continued:

"Tell her. If she doesn't sign, she'll face the consequences."

His calm, detached tone carried impatience and a warning.

I sneered.

My dad's company was framed by a rival for alleged tax evasion.

He was taken in for questioning and could face jail time at any moment.

Back then, I was so anxious I couldn't sleep for nights. For the first time, I begged Daniel to help my dad, to save our family.

But he said.

"Chloe, I know you're going through a lot right now. But as a lawyer, my professional ethics demand that I don't let emotions get in the way."

At that time, I chose to understand him.

But now.

For Scarlett, he was willing to abandon the very principles he always upheld.

Scarlett took the phone, glanced at me, and raised her voice.

"Daniel. She probably won't hurt me. What? You specifically moved me to a VIP room!"