Chapter 2

After Nina left, the spacious office was left empty. Only Miles and Mia remained.

Watching his slumped, devastated figure, Mia couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Mr. Jackson, your wife will understand,” she said softly, trying to comfort him.

Miles rubbed his temples. Just the thought of Nina’s tear-streaked face made his chest tighten with unbearable pain.

He exhaled heavily, exhausted in both body and mind, not even sparing Mia a glance out of the corner of his eye.

“As we agreed, I’ll make sure your mother has access to the best medical care. After you give birth, I’ll also provide you with generous compensation. You won’t be treated unfairly.

“I’ve already arranged housing for you during the pregnancy. My assistant, Levi Lucas, will take you there shortly. From now on, if you need anything, contact him directly. I hope this will be the last time we meet—except for the day you give birth.”

At that, Miles finally lifted his gaze. The weight of it hit like a wave, suffocating and impossible to bear.

Mia nodded quickly, barely daring to breathe. “I understand…”

Just then, Levi entered. “Miss Lopez, this way, please.”

Seated in the back of a black town car, Mia watched the scenery blur past the window. One hand rested lightly on her still-flat belly, her eyes lowered, hiding the ambition burning within them.

She had fought too hard for this chance to turn her life around.

Nina wanted her to get rid of this child? No way.

She would have this baby. And she would take Nina’s place as Mrs. Jackson.

If Nina didn’t want such a wealthy, handsome man, Mia would take him gladly.

Meanwhile, Nina had driven home.

Moving quickly and without hesitation, she gathered the documents she would need for the divorce along with a few everyday belongings. Then she left the house behind without a trace of regret, driving straight to Lion Bay in the North District.

Years ago, after the Taylor family’s downfall, all of her father’s assets had been seized. Only this place, rich with memories of the three of them, had been spared. Miles had spent a fortune to buy it at auction and give it to her.

Now, it was the only refuge she had after walking away from Miles.

Though no one lived there, the house had been regularly cleaned. It was spotless and ready to welcome her.

Surrounded by all these familiar things, Nina could no longer hold back the emotions she had been suppressing the entire way.

She collapsed onto the couch, curling into herself as if trying to shield her heart. And then she let it all out, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Why…”

For three years, she had endured injections, swallowed countless pills, and suffered every imaginable hardship—just to one day give the man she loved a joyful surprise.

And this was how the universe chose to repay her.

On the very day she had planned to share her happiest news, it had smashed her marriage and her heart to pieces.

Suddenly, her phone rang, cutting through her spiral of grief.

It was her best friend, Nadia Gibson.

Nina answered the call.

Nadia’s teasing voice came through at once.

“So? What was Miles’s reaction? Was he so excited he cried?”

She let out a playful sigh.

“Ugh, I should’ve gone with you. I would’ve loved to see Miles Jackson cry. That must’ve been a sight.”

Nadia had been Nina’s best friend for years and also her primary doctor.

No one understood better than Nadia how hard Nina and Miles had fought for this day. She had seen it all firsthand. Now that Nina’s dream had finally come true, Nadia had been genuinely happy for her.

But on the other end of the line, all she heard was Nina’s choked sobs.

“Nadia…” Nina’s voice broke through the tears. “Miles cheated…”

“What?!”

Nadia was stunned.

“Did I hear that right? Who? Who cheated?” she wondered.

Nina’s crying only grew worse, her words completely lost in sobs.

There was no time to get the full story. As soon as Nadia learned that Nina was at the old Taylor home, she grabbed her car keys and floored the gas pedal.

Nadia arrived half an hour later.

Nina was in tears as she clung to Nadia, her pretty face streaked with sadness.

She couldn’t even speak through her sobs.

“Nadia... my heart hurts so much...” she choked out.

Nadia gently comforted her.

“Nina, don’t cry. Don’t worry. The way things are for me now, I can more than afford to take care of you after the divorce.”

Years ago, it had been the Taylors who had helped fund Nadia’s education.

Times had changed. She never imagined there would come a day when she would be the one taking care of Nina.

Once she understood what had happened, Nadia was furious. She wanted nothing more than to slap Miles Jackson across the face again and again.

She had once believed Miles was one of the rare good men in the world.

Back when the Taylor family had fallen, everyone had kept their distance. Only Miles had stood by Nina’s side, even when he was struggling himself. He had shielded her with everything he had.

He had defied the entire Jackson family.

He had risked his future and fought tirelessly to clear the Taylors’ name.

In the process, he had made more enemies than anyone could count.

And yet, even the best man, it seemed, wasn’t immune to temptation.

Grinding her teeth, Nadia cursed Miles Jackson and his entire family.

“Drugged? Drunk? Please. That’s just an excuse,” she snapped.

“If he really didn’t want anything to happen with Mia, it’s not like condoms don’t exist.

“Nina, you can’t go soft on him. A cheating man is like a toothbrush that fell in the toilet—disgusting, and there’s no way you’d ever use it again. I’m telling you, he’s definitely hiding more.”

Nina gave a small nod but said nothing. She looked like a lifeless doll.

“By the way, Nina—does Miles know you’re pregnant?”

Nina shook her head. “I didn’t get the chance to tell him.”

Miles Jackson was no longer the man he used to be. He had once been the illegitimate son of the Jackson family, cowering in the shadows and licking his wounds in silence after every humiliation.

Now, he was the head of the Jackson family. His word was law in Harbor City.

Even at the height of the Taylor family’s power, they had never been able to rival him.

Nina let out a bitter laugh.

Maybe this was exactly why Miles could hurt her so recklessly now.

Of course he could.

She was nothing more than an orphan. How could she possibly fight against one of the most powerful men in the city?

If Miles ever found out about this child, getting a divorce would only become that much harder.

Nadia asked, “If you’re set on the divorce, what do you plan to do about the baby? Are you going to keep it?”

“I don’t know.”

Nina placed a hand on her lower belly, her eyes clouded with uncertainty.

Just that morning, she had been overjoyed at the thought of this baby.

But now, only a few hours later, she was already questioning whether to keep it.

It was a choice Nadia couldn’t make for her. As a doctor, she could only offer one piece of advice.

“Your body’s already fragile. If you go through with a termination, it’ll lower your chances of getting pregnant again. The odds of implantation drop significantly.”

Of course Nina knew that.

She had waited so long, done so much, endured so many treatments just to have this baby. Could she really bring herself to give it up?

But what kind of life could she offer this child in a broken home?

She didn’t know.

Her mind was in chaos. She couldn’t think straight.

“For now, I need to focus on the divorce. I’ll deal with the baby later.”

She changed the subject.

“Nadia, can you help me find a good private investigator? I want someone to follow Mia and gather proof of Miles’s affair—just in case.”

She knew Miles wouldn’t let her go so easily.

She needed to be ready.

Nadia nodded. “You got it.”

Seeing how fragile Nina was, Nadia stayed by her side the entire day.

As night fell, she decided to spend the night at the house, calling in for extended leave at the hospital.

Nothing mattered more to her than Nina right now.

After making sure Nina had fallen asleep, Nadia, exhausted from a full day of surgeries, finally drifted off herself.

As her even breaths filled the room, Nina opened her eyes slowly.

She couldn’t sleep.

She picked up her phone, the soft glow lighting up her face.

There, sitting unread for over two hours, were two messages from Miles.

“Honey, I won’t divorce you.

“I’m outside your house. Can we talk? Just for a minute?”