The brain surgery was very successful. The doctor said that as long as I rested well, my body would recover quickly.
After being discharged from the hospital, I went straight home.
“Linnea, you’re back.”
When he saw me, Garren immediately walked over, as if he had been waiting for me for a long time.
He gently took my hand, his voice softening instinctively. “I know you’ve been sulking and hiding outside these past few days. About Fenella… that was indeed my fault. Consider these gifts my apology.”
I glanced at them quickly—they were all brand-new items from top luxury brands.
Sulking? So this was his explanation for ignoring my disappearance for an entire week?
I pressed my lips together, a flicker of disappointment passing through my eyes.
I hadn’t deliberately hidden the surgery from him. With Garren’s connections, he could have easily found out I was in the hospital with just a little inquiry. Yet, he didn’t.
“And… this is the necklace you said you liked before. I specifically flew abroad to buy it from a private seller.”
As he spoke, Garren tried to suppress the fatigue on his face. His eyes were gentle as water, just like when we first met.
I was momentarily stunned, feeling dazed. Back then, when we had just started dating, everyone said his love for me was almost overwhelming.
He would come to the office to see me every two hours, not allowing any other men within two meters of me.
Talking to a man for more than five minutes was forbidden. If I did, he would pester me with kisses over and over until I promised never to do it again.
Garren himself cut off all connections with other women, spending every day revolving around me alone.
But… I never expected that even the strongest love could slowly crumble over time, finally falling apart completely.
Thinking of this, a sharp ache rose in my chest.
I immediately lowered my head, staring at the sparkling necklace. It was beautiful, with countless diamonds decorating it, like a galaxy filled with bright stars.
Just like the one Fenella had posted on her social media.
Even some of the luxury items on the table showed signs of being unwrapped—maybe things Fenella had glanced at and discarded.
I took a deep breath, unwilling to continue playing along with his fake act. “Garren… what exactly do you want?”
When I looked up again, a circle of bodyguards had formed around us. Garren’s expression had already shifted to one of pity.
“Linnea, this child cannot stay.”
His voice was very soft, yet every word felt like a sharp blade, stabbing into my heart again and again, piercing it until it was full of holes and soaked in blood.
I clenched my trembling fingers and stared at him in disbelief. So… this was his real purpose.
“Yesterday, I planned to have dinner with Fenella, but I waited for her for two hours and she never showed up. I sent people everywhere to look for her. Later, I found out that after learning you had returned, she was overwhelmed with guilt and tried to kill herself. If I hadn’t arrived in time, she might already be gone.”
As he finished speaking, a flash of pain crossed Garren’s eyes.
Hearing this, my breath caught, as if something heavy was blocking my chest. Fenella was missing for just two hours and he panicked enough to search half the city.
But when I disappeared for an entire week during my surgery, Garren knew nothing at all.
Perhaps, in his heart, my safety no longer mattered to him in the slightest.
Seeing that I didn’t say anything, Garren slowly stepped closer, his voice suddenly rising. “That’s two lives! As long as the child in your womb is still there, she’ll never be able to let go of her guilt…”
As he spoke, he suddenly grabbed my shoulder. The force was so strong that it felt like he was about to crush the bones.
I endured the sharp pain and met his gaze.
But there was no warmth left in his eyes—only my own pale reflection staring back at me.
“Someone, take her to the car,” he ordered coldly. “Go to the hospital immediately!”
