Chapter 3

"I've arranged a fireworks show just for you. The whole city will be able to see it, too."

I wanted to refuse, but Grayson pulled me into his arms, forced a coat around my shoulders, and dragged me outside before I could even protest.

Night had already fallen. He led me to a rooftop restaurant, and the moment I stepped up to the window, a cascade of fireworks burst across the sky.

They were beautiful. And completely revolting.

This wasn't some romantic gesture prepared for me. It was nothing more than another item checked off Kayla's wish list.

I scanned the restaurant, and sure enough, there she was—not far away, smiling sweetly at me.

She strolled over with practiced ease, her voice laced with fake warmth.

"Lydia, you came to watch the fireworks, too?"

Disgust twisted in my chest. A wave of nausea surged up, and I couldn't stop myself from retching.

Tears immediately welled in Kayla's eyes.

"Lydia, I know I was wrong before. I came to apologize." She lowered her gaze, then added softly, "I'm already divorced."

When she finished, her pitiful eyes shifted to Grayson, standing behind me.

His brow furrowed with sympathy. He tugged my arm.

"Lydia, how can you be so rude? She came all this way to apologize. It's one thing not to speak, but to retch in her face? Apologize. Now."

I dug my nails into my palm, teeth clenched, refusing to answer.

The two of them could screw around in secret for all I cared. But to stand here and humiliate me together—how disgusting.

I forced my voice low and cold. "Grayson, tell me, who's really the disgusting one here?"

He opened his mouth, but Kayla quickly stopped him. "Grayson, let me speak to Lydia alone. Just for a moment."

He hesitated, then nodded and stepped aside.

Kayla's tears vanished as quickly as they had appeared, her gaze sharpening into open challenge.

She tugged at her collar, revealing faint pink marks scattered across her skin.

"Lydia, Grayson was far too reckless, leaving me covered in marks like this."

I knew she was baiting me, trying to make me furious.

When I didn't react, her face soured. She leaned closer and whispered, "You don't know, do you? That car accident years ago—it was all carefully planned. We needed the cord blood from your baby."

Her lips curved in mock pity. "Your baby girl cried so pitifully when she was born… but she didn't last long before she died."

My eyes widened in disbelief, pain tearing through my chest like a blade.

My child hadn't been stillborn?

Kayla reveled in my broken expression. Her voice softened, taunting.

"But you fainted, didn't you? Which meant I got to decide how to deal with that baby."

Rage surged uncontrollably. My hand shot out, but before I could touch her, she shrieked, stumbling backward into a table.

Glasses shattered, shards slicing into her skin, blood spilling bright and fast.

The next instant, a brutal force slammed into me, knocking me to the floor.

Grayson rushed to her, gathering her into his arms. His voice thundered, cold and merciless. "Lydia! Are you insane?"

Kayla's face had gone pale. She clutched his shirt, weeping. "Grayson, don't blame Lydia… it hurts so much."

He lifted her quickly, fury twisting his features. "If anything happens to Kayla, Lydia, I will never forgive you!"

Without sparing me a glance, he carried her out, stepping right over my body.

Blood pooled beneath me. The familiar pain clawed through my abdomen, sparking panic.

Grinding my teeth, I dialed emergency services.

After the surgery, I placed two documents into the same box: the surgical consent form and the divorce agreement.

I took a photo and sent it to Grayson.

His reply came almost instantly.

Grayson: [You don't need to give me gifts. As long as you know you were wrong, that's enough.]

I stared at the message, the corner of my lips curving into a bitter smile.

Slowly, I typed my response.

Lydia: [Grayson, I know I was wrong. So you'd better hurry home to open your gift.]