Hearing my words, Mrs. Monroe let out an excited squeal.
“Oh my God, Estelle, you've finally come to your senses. Even if you're married, your career is just as important.”
“This obstetrics training program will take your career to the next level and significantly expand your experience. After two years of training, you might even have the opportunity to be promoted to deputy director..."
I knew all of this perfectly well. Mrs. Monroe had told me the same thing so many times in the past that I could practically recite it by heart.
The problem was that the program would take place in the United States and last for two years. I had never been willing to leave Alaric behind, so I kept turning it down.
Now, reality had finally slapped me awake.
Alaric's heart had never truly belonged to me. The love he once had for me had long since begun to crack.
And I no longer needed to keep standing still, waiting for someone who would never come back.
Mrs. Monroe happily told me that she would help me with the application process and that everything would be completed within seven days at the latest. By then, I would have to leave for the United States immediately to begin the training program.
“By the way, I'm two months pregnant. Will that affect the program?”
I asked the question that mattered most to me at that moment.
Even though I had completely lost hope in Alaric, I had no intention of giving up my child.
After all, the baby had done nothing wrong.
Moreover, even if Alaric truly intended to leave me and be with his mistress, I was more than capable of raising my son on my own.
Mrs. Monroe replied almost immediately.
“Don't worry, Estelle. The Dream has a maternity leave policy for physicians participating in the program. If you want to take leave during the later stages of your pregnancy, I can help arrange that for you.”
“Once your maternity leave is over, you'll simply continue the training program as usual.”
Mrs. Monroe reassured me patiently before adding.
“You're one of the most talented obstetricians I've met in all my years in this profession. Don't give up this opportunity for anything, dearie.”
My eyes burned. A hot tear slipped down and landed on the back of my hand.
My voice trembled as I said.
“Mrs. Monroe, I'll cherish this opportunity.”
“But during this time, please help me keep it confidential. Don't let anyone find out.”
Hearing the emotion in my voice, Mrs. Monroe didn't ask any further questions. She simply reminded me to take good care of myself and try to keep my emotions under control.
After ending the call, I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down.
I wasn't on duty that afternoon, so I returned to my own apartment and slept until I woke up naturally.
When I finally opened my eyes, exhaustion still weighed heavily on my body.
Thinking about the belongings at the Vaughn estate, I took a taxi there to pack them up.
Now that Alaric and I were divorced, there was no reason for me to leave any of my things there anymore.
Originally, I had planned to quietly pack my things and leave before Alaric returned.
However, the moment I unlocked the door and stepped into the living room, Delilah's cheerful laughter drifted into my ears.
“Get rid of this ugly table. It looks so old-fashioned. Replace it with the imported wooden table from France I mentioned earlier.”
“And these light blue curtains look completely outdated. Change them too.”
Delilah, who should have been resting in the hospital, was reclining on the sofa with a thin blanket draped over her body.
Her complexion was still somewhat pale, yet she enthusiastically directed the maids around as if she were the true mistress of the house.
Alaric sat beside her, and throughout it all, he never once objected to anything she said.
I watched as one piece after another was carried away.
Every item had been carefully chosen by me.
Every item held memories of the happiness Alaric and I had once shared in this estate.
My heart tightened painfully.
Estelle, stop caring about these things. You and Alaric are over!
Just as I was about to turn around and leave, Delilah suddenly looked over and spotted me immediately.
“Estelle..."
Like a frightened little rabbit, she shrank into Alaric's embrace. The panic in her eyes made it seem as though I were some kind of monster.
“Estelle, please don't blame me. I just felt that these things were a little out of style, so I wanted to replace them.”
“Besides, I'll be staying here for quite a while during my postpartum recovery, so I'd like to arrange the estate according to my own preferences.”
“Alaric agreed to it as well.”
As she spoke, her brows lifted slightly, the provocation in her eyes impossible to miss.
Then, as if something had suddenly occurred to her, she let out a soft gasp.
“Oh, right, Estelle. Alaric said you've already signed the divorce papers. Surely you're not shameless enough to keep staying at the Vaughn estate, are you?”
“You came back to pack your things and leave, didn't you?”
Hearing Delilah's taunting words, I lifted my head and looked straight at Alaric, waiting to see how he would respond.
Deep down, there was even a trace of hope that I hadn't realized was still there.
But he did nothing. He merely lowered his gaze and quietly avoided my eyes.
My nails dug deep into my palms. The sharp pain made my heart ache even more.
Since I had already decided to let go, there was no point arguing with Delilah anymore.
“Yes. I'm here to pack my things. Once I'm done, I'll leave.”
My voice was hoarse.
Something flickered across Alaric's face, and he seemed about to say something. But Delilah reacted even faster.
“That's good.”
“I thought you were going to act like one of those crazy ex-wives who refuse to let go of their former husbands, but you're more decisive than I expected.”
After saying that, she smiled sweetly.
“Oh, right, Estelle. Thank you for delivering my baby.”
“If you're willing, my little Jamie can even call you his godmother someday.”
“Oh, you didn't know, did you? Alaric personally chose our son's name. James. Jamie is his nickname.”
Delilah giggled teasingly. Meanwhile, I stood frozen in place after hearing that name.
The blood in my veins seemed to turn to ice, a chill spreading from head to toe.
James. Jamie.
It was the name Alaric, and I had once spent countless days choosing it for our first child.
It was also the name of the baby we had lost the night I rushed to save him and ended up being tortured by his kidnappers.
Stunned, I lifted my head and looked at Alaric, searching desperately for even the slightest trace of guilt in his eyes.
But all I saw was him busy pulling the blanket back over Delilah's shoulders after it had slipped down.
So he had forgotten. Forgotten the name of our first child.
Or perhaps, he had even forgotten that we had once had a child together at all.
How cruel could he be?
