Chapter 2

I knew it was Isobel who had called Dante.

Turning back, I looked at the pregnancy report on the table. According to the information, Isobel got pregnant a little over five weeks ago.

On the day of conception, Dante had been gone the entire night. He told me that he went to Cassington to deal with an issue with a smuggled shipment at the port. Thinking about it now, I realized that he'd been with her, completing the surgery that was supposedly nothing more than helping her pass down her family bloodline.

This proved that my permission had been considered an unessential part of the plan from the start. They merely waited to "inform" me. They never truly sought my agreement.

All along, I'd been waiting in anticipation for my wedding day. I was eager to take Dante's hand and stand at the altar together. But now, all of my thrill and excitement had vanished into thin air. Not a trace was left behind.

Just then, the buzzing from my phone pulled me out of my thoughts. The voice that rang out through the speaker belonged to Julia Carter, a college senior of mine.

"Nina, I know you're about to get married, but I still wanted to ask you one more time. Are you sure you don't want to consider joining us at the hospital?" Julia urged.

"You're the most talented student Professor Moore has ever taught. He continues to hope that you can join our medical team. Since you're getting married, he has even agreed to let you have a two-week break every two months. That way, you can still spend time with your husband."

William Moore, my former professor, had established a research project at Laran Hospital in Etolia. Six months ago, he called me and invited me to join his medical research team.

However, if I did that, I would have to be cut off from the outside world for extended periods. Such periods of isolation could last anywhere from a month to a year or more.

At the time, I couldn't bear to be apart from Dante for so long, so I rejected Professor Moore's invitation. But now, Dante was already the father to someone else's baby.

Since he never once gave any consideration to our relationship or our prospective marriage before he made his decision, I saw no reason to proceed with the wedding.

"I've decided, Julia. I'm willing to join the hospital, and I won't need the break. I'm fine with sticking to the project timeline," I said.

"That's great news! Professor Moore will be thrilled!" Julia exclaimed in surprise and delight. "When do you plan on coming over? Why not join us a week after the wedding? That way, you can still go on your honeymoon."

"That won't be necessary. I'll fly over on my wedding day," I replied softly.

My eyes fell on the calendar on the table. I had circled the tenth of next month with a red marker. Initially, it was just a reminder for myself—a countdown to my wedding date. It made things easier for me when I had to make all the arrangements.

Now, it was a countdown to when I would leave Dante. In 15 days, Dante and I would no longer have any ties with one another. It would be over between us for good.