Chapter 5

When Talia woke up again, she was already lying in a hospital room. Monica came to check on her condition, instructing her to rest well for two days before being discharged. After discharge, she would need to properly recover for a month.

Talia agreed to everything. She had already decided that she would take a full month to recover. Her body was her own, and she needed to take care of it.

After Monica left, Talia picked up her phone to check it. As expected, there wasn't a single phone call from Christian.

What happened last night was perhaps just a minor incident for them. But for Talia, it was a significant turning point in her life.

She realized that seeing them for who they truly were was actually a good thing. She figured that it was better than endless internal conflict and struggle.

She mindlessly launched her Instagram app, and Nancy's post appeared at the top of her feed. Above the username, it read "Suggested for you".

In the post, Nancy was holding a child's hand. From the back, Talia recognized immediately that it was Yvonne. The caption read, "It feels so good to be needed".

The background of the photo was the living room of Jubilee Manor. Perhaps out of habit, Talia just smiled faintly, then tapped the three dots and selected the option "Not Interested". The days of secretly checking Nancy's posts were finally over.

After being discharged, Talia hired a home health aide for herself. She rested for an entire month. A month later, she settled the health aide's wages, changed into a clean long dress, applied light makeup, and drove toward Jarrowind.

That day was her ovulation day again—the day for her and Christian's routine attempt at a second child. In truth, when it came to intimacy, Talia hadn't had any particularly satisfying experiences. Christian always went through the motions with her, eager to finish quickly so he could see Nancy.

But that night, she wasn't returning to try for a second child. She planned to have a proper discussion with Christian about divorce.

She arrived at Elmwood Estate at 7:00 pm. Jane saw her return and prepared dinner for her. Afterward, Talia went upstairs to the study.

The divorce agreement lay on the desk, exactly as she had left it last month—untouched. Clearly, Christian hadn't come back at all this month.

Talia waited until after 9:00 pm. Just as she was getting impatient, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. When the door opened, it was Jane who entered.

"Mrs. Lane, Mr. Lane just called. He said that he has something to do tonight and won't be coming home. He wants you to come back next month instead."

Hearing this, Talia just let out a bitter laugh. Next month? She might have been able to come back this month, but next month was uncertain. She was tired of being trapped in this cage.

After hesitating for a moment, she stood and said to Jane, "The next time he returns, remind him that I left something for him on the desk."

Jane lowered her head and replied, "I understand, Mrs. Lane."

Talia picked up her bag and left Elmwood Estate. She didn't know where to go, so she drove aimlessly until she noticed many young men and women walking out of a building called "Jarrowind Concert Hall".

Soon, the crowd dispersed, but the last three people to emerge caught Talia's attention completely. Christian and Nancy were holding Yvonne's hands on either side, all three of them smiling at each other.

"Nancy, you were so dazzling just now, and so beautiful, like a fairy! Your piano playing was wonderful. When I grow up, will you teach me how to play too?

"Please, Nancy?" Yvonne shook Nancy's arms with both hands, acting cute.

Nancy wore an elegant white evening gown, looking like a star fallen into the night, radiating brilliance.

Her expression was gentle as she leaned down slightly in front of Yvonne, her finger lightly tapping Yvonne's nose as she laughed and said, "I'll definitely teach you if you want to learn."

Yvonne jumped up happily, then turned to ask Christian, "Daddy, isn't Nancy amazing?"

Christian's eyes held a trace of a smile as he nodded in response. He hummed in agreement.

Although he was sparing with words, that simple hum carried deep joy and admiration. Yvonne became even happier. "When I grow up, I want to be just as amazing as Nancy."

Talia witnessed the entire scene through the windshield of her car. She had never been on the receiving end of her daughter's admiration.

But when she gave it some thought, she realized that it made sense. After marriage, she had devoted herself entirely to Christian and Yvonne, gradually becoming unkempt and abandoning her former hobbies.

In Yvonne's eyes, she was just a woman who only knew her way around the kitchen, while Nancy was a perfect, untouchable figure. The thought made Talia's heart ache.

At the concert hall entrance, Yvonne spread her arms wide, jumping and fussing. "Nancy, I want you to hold me!"

Christian intervened in time. "Yvonne, Nancy is wearing an evening gown, and it's not convenient to hold you. Wait until we get to the car."

Hearing this, Yvonne's face drooped, clearly unhappy. Nancy quickly bent down to pick her up and smiled at Christian beside her. "It's okay. I'm fine with it as long as Yvonne wants me to hold her."

Christian smiled, his eyes filled with deep affection. Nancy then carried Yvonne down the steps while Yvonne snuggled against her, nuzzling and cuddling. Christian followed behind, holding up the train of her evening gown.

The man who commanded respect in the business world and never bowed to adversity was now bending down to hold a woman's dress train. The trio then got into the car together, and the vehicle drove away.

So this was what her husband meant when he said he had "something to do". Talia couldn't help but laugh.

After sitting in the car for a long time, her phone suddenly rang. It was a call from the hospital.

After answering, Talia politely said, "Dr. Williams."

Talia had studied pediatric surgery. After spending four years as a full-time mother before returning to work, she was among the most junior doctors at the hospital.

On the other end of the line, the department chief, Ryan Williams, said, "Your fellowship may end early. You can return to work at the hospital next week."

Talia hesitated before asking, "Doesn't the hospital have an opening for someone to go to rural areas to provide free health screenings for children? I'd like to apply."

Ryan was somewhat surprised. "Going to rural areas is tough work, and it won't do much for your career progression. The hospital has the opening, but no one is required to take it..."

However, Talia had made up her mind. "Dr. Williams, I'm willing to go. Consider it a vacation for me."

Given her firm attitude, Ryan stopped trying to dissuade her and finally agreed. "Alright. Then go for two months."

…

Soon, another month had passed. Yvonne had also been in kindergarten for a month.

After two consecutive months without conceiving a second child, Christian was once again under pressure from his family. So he returned home earlier than usual on the day Talia was supposed to be ovulating.

He was already at Elmwood Estate before 6:00 pm. Jane was quite surprised to see Christian arrive first. "Sir, you're so early today."

Christian didn't offer any explanation. As he walked toward the second floor, he instructed Jane, "When Mrs. Lane comes back, tell her to come find me in the bedroom."

Jane acknowledged his order and watched Christian head upstairs. Passing by the study, Christian didn't even pause and headed straight to the bedroom.

He had come back solely for the purpose of conceiving a second child. So he didn't need to go anywhere else.

After showering, Christian waited in bed. Three hours had passed, and it was already 9:00 pm. Talia still hadn't returned.

Just as Christian was growing impatient, footsteps finally sounded outside the door.