Chapter 2

Cecelia slid down the cold wall with her back against it, her body losing strength until she sat on the floor. The floor was spotless, but it felt icy to the bone.

The faint laughter from the private room stung her heart. All those sweet recollections turned into the cruelest of mockery, tearing apart every cherished memory and all her feelings.

She realized she had been living a carefully crafted deception. Francis used their marriage and her love just to protect the woman he truly cared about.

Cecelia stumbled her way home, empty and numb. She simply let the grief and sense of betrayal tear her apart.

-

A few days passed.

Cecelia's phone chimed, and she almost grabbed and unlocked it on instinct.

It was Melody's latest post on her social media, published fifteen minutes ago. No words, just a live photo.

In the warm light of a fancy restaurant, there's a man's hand, pouring red wine for her; a shiny ring is visible on his finger.

In the comments, Melody had added a clarification.

[I landed safely! Nothing feels better than being picked up by people you know! Thank you for waiting with me for three hours!]

So, the important "international acquisition case" that kept him from coming home was really just an excuse to pick up Melody at the airport.

His promise to "spend time with her after work was done" was just a way to soothe Cecelia so he could be there for the woman he actually wanted!

Cecelia's heart became completely cold.

Even her own self-denial was snuffed out by this image.

She wanted to leave!

The thought of leaving had never been so clear or so overwhelming in her mind.

She opened the appointment app on her phone. The earliest date to get a new passport was in seven working days.

There was still time.

Next, she went to the private women's hospital app and stared at the option for "termination of pregnancy."

"Confirm appointment." A cold green notification appeared on the screen.

Cecelia lifted her hand and placed it gently on her belly.

This had been her hope for the future, but now, with all of Francis's lies, all her hopes were in ruins. 'I'm sorry, baby. I can't bring you into a world of lies and manipulation. I can't let you have…a father like this.'

And as for the real culprit behind her father's death, Cecelia would never let her get away.

At the hospital, the doctor looked at her report and sighed. "Mrs. Rivera, the car accident caused severe damage to your pelvis. Being able to get pregnant on its own is already quite a miracle. If you go through with this surgery, well… You may never be able to have a child again."

May never be able to have a child again.

Those words hit Cecelia like a hammer, shattering what little strength she had left.

A sense of hesitation and tenderness as a mother unexpectedly emerged.

Her child… The only child she might ever have… Was she really going to end this miracle herself?

Cecelia left the hospital through the main door in a stupor.

The afternoon sunlight was harsh, and she lowered her head to avoid it. By chance, she caught sight of a giant LED screen on the street corner showing an entertainment news update.

The screen was crystal clear as the camera focused on a charity gala.

Francis stood tall and straight in a perfectly tailored dark suit. He was listening to Melody as he turned to her, who smiled beside him as she talked. She wore a stunning red dress, her makeup impeccable, gazing up at him with trust and admiration.

Standing together, they were the perfect match.

The news ticker below scrolled by like poison.

"Up-and-coming legal superstar Francis Rivera attends charity night with top celebrity Melody Green!"

"Childhood sweethearts with a strong tie! A perfect couple admired by all!"

The netizens commented, "This is what a real power couple looks like! I'm obsessed!"

As for her, the so-called "Mrs. Rivera" didn't exist to anyone in the world Francis constructed.

Cecelia's stomach wriggled. She held onto a cold streetlamp, wanting to throw up—but all that came out was some stomach acid. It felt like someone had forced a huge, icy stone into her chest, and it was so heavy she could barely breathe.

Of course.

She was nothing but a shield for her father's killer.

Nothing but a pathetic joke.