Chapter 1

Outside the maternity ward, I clutched the positive pregnancy test in my pocket. My husband was accompanying another woman to her prenatal appointment.

I wanted to demand an explanation, but suddenly, Gina Nolan covered her stomach and cried out, "Sebastian, my belly hurts so much!"

Sebastian Sterling instinctively pushed me aside and turned to embrace her. I stumbled backward from his shove, hitting the wall hard. Sharp pain shot through my back, and my eyes instantly filled with tears.

Despite that, Sebastian only cared about Gina's condition.

"What's wrong? Does your stomach hurt? I'll take you to see a doctor right now."

He held Gina up carefully and only seemed to remember I was still standing there when he passed by me. He explained hastily, "Mia, Gina isn't feeling well. I need to take her to see a doctor. Can you go home by yourself?"

I looked at him without saying a word, then just nodded and silently stepped aside. He carried Gina past me without a moment's hesitation.

I stood alone in the corridor, leaning against the wall and watching their retreating figures as tears streamed down my face. My back throbbed with pain, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my heart.

I wiped away my tears and smiled bitterly at myself. I had come to the hospital today to confirm my pregnancy and tell Sebastian the news, but I did not want to say anything anymore.

This was his third betrayal, and it would be his last. I did not want to hear his explanations anymore, and I did not want to forgive him again.

Walking out of the hospital, I got into the car the Sterling family had sent for me. I closed the door, leaned back in the rear seat, and stared at the hospital entrance with a cold heart.

The driver asked where I wanted to go. After a moment of silence, I replied coldly, "Don't take me back home. I want to go to the immigration office."

Once there, I went in alone and applied for a passport and a visa for Astora. The visa would take seven days to process.

I walked out of the building, got back in the car, and watched the flowing scenery outside the window with complete calm in my heart.

Once the visa was granted next week, I would completely sever ties with Sebastian.

Back at the Sterling residence, I walked alone into the bedroom, closed the door, and began packing my belongings.

Sebastian had given me many gifts that filled almost the entire room, from delicate, expensive necklaces and jewelry, to limited-edition handbags and collectables.

I took everything out of the cabinets and put them on the bed, packing them all into one enormous cardboard box.

When I reached the nightstand, I froze. Inside the drawer were photos of Sebastian and me, along with crafts we had made together and clay sculptures we had molded.

These were memories from when we were in love, and they were once my most precious mementos. However, I could not bear to look at them now.

With tears in my eyes, I took the photos out of their frames, tore them into pieces, and threw them in the trash. I put the clay sculptures back in their box and put everything into the cardboard container.

Just as I finished sealing the box, I heard commotion downstairs.

I walked to the top of the stairs and saw the maids moving things into the living room. There were many boxes, both big and small, filled with jewelry and accessories.

Gina sat on the couch, pretending to be humble. "Sebastian, why did you buy me so many things? I can't possibly use all of this."

Sebastian affectionately stroked her hair and said gently, "I'm not short of money. As long as you like something, I'll buy you as much of it as you want."

He looked up and saw me standing on the second floor.

He froze, instinctively released Gina, and explained urgently, "Mia, you're back. Gina wasn't feeling well today, so I accompanied her home. Don't misunderstand."

I looked at him, not speaking.

He seemed a bit flustered and added, "There's a famous auction in a couple of days. I'll take you to buy something then. I heard there's a sapphire necklace. Your favourite is sapphire jewelry, right?”

Gina leaned weakly against him, yawning. "Sebastian, I'm a bit tired. I think I got carsick from the ride."

Sebastian immediately tensed up, carefully supporting her. "If you're tired, go rest. Come on, I'll help you."

He supported Gina as they walked toward the bedroom.

I watched them, my heart pierced with pain once again. That master bedroom was the one Sebastian and I had chosen and decorated together to suit my preferences, yet another woman was living in it now.