Chapter 4

That night, I didn't call Clark again.

After I had cried until I had no tears left, all that remained was clarity and hatred.

Early the next morning, I pawned the antique pocket watch Grandma had given me for my wedding.

Then I swallowed my pride and called every friend I could reach.

After borrowing a little from here and there, I finally managed to scrape together 100 thousand dollars for the surgery and get Grandma into the operating room.

I walked toward the inpatient ward with the payment receipt in my hand, barely aware of where I was going.

I hadn't slept all night. My eyes were bloodshot, my hair was a mess, and I could barely function.

But as I passed the OB-GYN ward, I suddenly stopped.

Not far ahead, Clark, who had told me he was in an important meeting the night before, was carefully helping Anya walk.

He held an ultrasound report in his other hand.

They were talking and laughing. Anya rested a hand on her still-flat belly while Clark leaned toward her and whispered something that made her laugh.

They looked like a loving couple.

They were so happy that the despair I had felt outside the intensive care unit the night before now seemed like a joke.

Then Clark seemed to sense something and looked up. His eyes met mine.

In an instant, the smile on his face froze. The ultrasound report fell to the floor.

He tried to let go of Anya's hand without thinking, looking panicked.

"Yvonne, what are you doing here?"

Anya followed his gaze and looked over.

She froze for a moment, then recognized me.

When she saw how panicked Clark was, her expression twisted with rage.

She shoved Clark's hand away and stormed over to me.

Then she pointed a finger at my face and spoke sharply. "I knew it! Some assistant you are. You've been trying to steal my husband, haven't you?

"Last time, you used delivering documents as an excuse to come to our home. And now you actually followed us to the hospital?

"What kind of woman throws herself at a married man like you? Have you no shame?"

Her insults echoed through the hallway, making them all the more painful to hear.

Clark was sweating heavily with fear. He rushed over and covered Anya's mouth. "Anya, shut up! Stop it!"

But Anya was still furious. She struggled against him and glared at me.

I stood there quietly as the real mistress pointed at me in front of everyone and called me the other woman, even though I was Clark's fiancee.

I didn't cry or lose control. I simply folded the payment receipt and put it in my bag.

Then I looked up and stared straight at Clark.

I curled my lips slightly and said softly, "Clark, she's questioning me. So tell her. Who's the real mistress?"