Chapter 5

Anthony's eyes were bloodshot, and there were bruises underneath them. He looked like he'd kept watch over Simone for a long time.

"Simone, you're awake!" He grabbed her hand excitedly.

She flinched instinctively and yanked her hand back. She stared at him coldly.

His smile froze, and he felt like someone had gripped his heart and squeezed. He pressed his lips together. "Simone, with how things were, I could only save the person closest to me. And besides, you did push Winona out…"

Simone's bloodless lips trembled as she stared at him in disbelief. "I didn't push her! She grabbed me and threw herself out the window!"

Anthony looked at her as disappointment clouded his eyes. "Simone, I always thought you were kind. I never imagined you'd lie through your teeth like this. I'm honestly heartbroken."

She opened her mouth but couldn't force out a single word. Tears pooled in her eyes, stubbornly refusing to fall.

"Don't act like you're the victim here. The palm prints on Winona's face are proof!" he growled.

Simone shut her eyes and turned her face away as her tears spilled, soaking the pillow. Her voice shook as she asked, "Would you believe me if I told you that Winona's abduction back then isn't what you think it is?"

The room fell briefly silent. Anthony sighed. "Don't do this, Simone."

Simone's clenched fists suddenly loosened weakly. She laughed so hard that her body trembled, then asked softly, "Did you ever love me, Anthony? Even just a bit."

He furrowed his brows as he stroked her back, soothing her. "I love you, Simone. Of course, I do. Stop crying, okay? It'll be our third wedding anniversary in two days. Let's have another ceremony then, alright?"

He pressed his lips to her forehead, then to her reddened eyes. "I'll marry you again. Once Winona is better, I'll send her back to Lancaster Manor. We'll go back to how things used to be."

Simone lay on the hospital bed while staring blankly at the ceiling. From the moment Anthony dug out her kidney with his own hands three years ago, there was no going back.

…

Anthony didn't leave to attend Winona's birthday party, maybe because he was worried about Simone. He stayed at the hospital, never leaving her side. He fed her water and medicine, tending to her bit by bit.

He told her funny stories from the various hospital departments, making the young nurses laugh until they doubled over.

He made her restorative herbal broths, even testing them on himself, just to get the effects just right. He checked her medical records over and over, terrified he might miss the slightest change.

Simone overheard the nurses chatting outside her room.

"Which god do you think I should worship to snag a man as perfect as Dr. Lancaster?"

"Dream on. Handsome guys always go with beautiful women. Dr. Lancaster's significant other has to be a knockout like Mrs. Lancaster."

Another curse cut in, "But Mrs. Lancaster is so cold to him. Did they get into a fight?"

"It's nothing to worry about. Whenever Mrs. Lancaster gets mad, Dr. Lancaster cheers her up in no time. Just wait—I bet the silent treatment will end by tomorrow morning."

"I say tonight. They always kiss and make up so quickly!"

Their chatter carried into the room. Anthony chuckled and feigned anger. "What are you all babbling about? I'll have the department head dock your pay if you disturb my wife!"

In the past, Simone would blush at moments like this. This time, she simply drank her water quietly, not even glancing up.

A strange feeling rose in Anthony's chest. Simone seemed different.

"Sign here. I found a place I like in the south of the city." She took out the divorce agreement again.

Before Anthony could take a closer look, his phone rang. Winona's name flashed across his screen, and he frowned, losing all focus on the document.

He quickly signed and left the room to take the call in the hallway.

Simone took back the divorce agreement. She let out a long, steady breath as she stared at his bold signature. Finally, she was free.

She pulled out her phone and texted that mysterious number. "It's done."

A reply came almost instantly. "I'll pick you up tomorrow morning."

She locked her phone, feeling settled at long last.

Out in the hall, whatever Winona said made Anthony's expression shift drastically. He refused loudly at first, then closed his eyes in agony as she broke down in sobs.

"Fine, I'll do it. But this is the last time."

…

That night, Simone suddenly felt stabbing cramps in her lower abdomen. At first, she could bear it. Then, the pain grew stronger. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her whole body felt torn apart.

As her consciousness started fading, she reached out and shook Anthony, who was dozing with his head propped up by her bed.

"Anthony…"

He snapped awake, gripping her hand in a panic. "What's wrong, Simone?"

"My stomach hurts… My baby!" She bit her lip hard, and the color drained completely from her delicate, pretty face.

Her vision tunneled and went black. Just before she lost consciousness, she saw Anthony hold her hand tightly. His eyes were dark with something unfathomable.

He murmured, "It'll be okay, Simone. Everything will be okay."

Simone didn't know how much time had passed. It felt like she was back on that cold operating table with a sudden emptiness yawning inside her.

A machine's beeping cut through the air.

"Dr. Lancaster, we've removed the placenta from Mrs. Lancaster. It's intact."

"Send it back to the villa immediately!"