Chapter 2

I was about to speak, but Ruby quickly said, “This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have bothered you two. I’m sorry.

“Clayton, from now on, don’t concern yourself with me. Just leave me out here to rot.”

As soon as she said that, she rushed toward the street and was knocked over by a bicycle.

Clayton’s expression instantly shifted. Without a second thought, he shoved me aside and lifted Ruby into his arms.

Before I could react, I tumbled down the stairs and fell heavily to the floor.

A dull, throbbing pain spread through my lower abdomen. Trembling, I reached down, and I was shocked to see that my hand was covered in blood.

“My baby... No, my baby...

“Clayton... honey!”

I clutched my stomach and called out to Clayton with the last vestiges of my strength. I hoped he would turn back and take me to the hospital.

He paused and glanced back. His eyes held only hatred.

“Hazel, you know about Ruby’s depression! Why did you provoke her?

“If anything happens to her because of this, I’ll never forgive you.

“Consider this a lesson. Stay away from her. Do you understand me?”

After saying that, he carried Ruby into his car.

In the end, a kind passerby who could not bear to see me in that state took me to the hospital.

The doctor told me I had miscarried.

It was a healthy baby boy. His tiny hands and feet were all fully formed.

I lay on the hospital bed and called Clayton thirty-eight times.

The only response was a five-million-dollar transfer into my bank account, along with one concise and clear threat.

“Consider this a lesson for you. Learn from it and stay away from Ruby from now on.”

I could no longer hold back my tears. They fell onto my phone and wet the screen.

I could only force out a response.

“Okay.”

‘Clayton, I truly learned my lesson this time,’ I thought.

It was over for us.

...

When Clayton handed me the signed divorce agreement, I snapped back into the present.

He then reminded me, “If there’s nothing else, go home. You’re an adult. Be sensible, and don’t take up any more medical resources.”

I nodded and said, “Okay.”

He continued, “Your little stunt really shook Ruby up. I’m going to be with her for the next few days, so don’t bother reaching out unless it’s an emergency.”

I nodded again to show that I understood.

“Okay.”

Clayton was taken aback for a moment because I was actually being obedient.

He let go of Ruby’s arm and approached me.

“A-Are you okay?

“Is the baby troubling you?

“Once Ruby is feeling better, I’ll take you for a proper prenatal checkup.”

I was stunned.

I was pregnant for six months, and this was his first time offering to join me for a checkup.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

I murmured a faint acknowledgment and pretended not to see Ruby’s resentful expression.

As we passed each other, I noticed that Ruby was wearing a rosary hidden under her collar.

Clayton and I had gone to the church together to pray with it. We prayed for our child’s safe arrival.

Half a month ago, I could not find the rosary at home and grew terribly anxious.

When I called Clayton to ask about it, he accused me of making a fuss over nothing. It was just a rosary, and it was no big deal if it went missing.

Yet he was the one who had secretly taken this supposedly unimportant thing and given it to Ruby for her protection.

A sharp, twisting pain gripped my heart. Each breath was agonizing.

However, I had no strength left to argue. It was as if my heart had truly gone numb.

I took out my phone, snapped a photo of the signed document, and sent it to my lawyer with a message.

[Go ahead and start the divorce proceedings.]

...

When I returned home, the housekeeper was preparing dinner.