The doctor looked at her gravely. “Ma’am, you’re in a critical condition. We need to operate immediately.”
Cory closed her eyes tightly, biting her lip until no color remained on her face.
“I’ll sign it myself.” Her voice was so weak it was barely audible. “The baby… Save the baby… Please, you must save my baby!”
The red light outside the operating room flickered on, then off again.
Hours later, when a nurse brought over the newborn—no bigger than a kitten—Cory still hadn’t come back to herself.
She just stared blankly at the wrinkled little bundle of life as tears slid silently from the corners of her eyes.
Just then, her phone vibrated.
It was Marius.
“I’ve already apologized to the client you offended today,” he said coldly, in the same condescending tone as always. “Now go to Jenelle’s hospital room and apologize to her in person.”
Cory said nothing for a long time. Then the corner of her mouth lifted into a smile so faint, it looked almost like mockery.
He truly didn’t believe she had given birth; he had mistaken her utter despair for another petty plea for attention.
And now, there was no point correcting him.
She didn’t want to give him the chance to use her weakness to snatch the newborn and send it to his parents.
With that, she asked the nurse to print the divorce agreement and quietly signed her name.
The nurse tried to stop her. “You just gave birth. You should rest for at least a day.”
But Cory shook her head.
She only wanted a clean break. Once the papers were signed, she would leave immediately with her child.
With help, she made her way to Jenelle’s hospital room. The woman sat on the bed with rosy lips and perfect makeup.
Even her “sprained” foot was daintily propped on a thick cushion as she raised it slightly while Marius crouched beside her, gently massaging it.
Anyone with eyes could tell how tender he was.
In the doorway, Cory stood as she watched, her face looking paler than paper.
Her body, visibly slimmer after labor, was weak and worn—but Marius didn’t ask a single question.
He simply stood up and didn’t even glance her way. “Apologize to Jenelle now, Cory.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?” she retorted calmly.
Before Marius could erupt, Jenelle chimed in immediately.
“Oh, don’t be upset, VP, I’m fine… It’s just, I’ve been having nightmares these past few days. But this morning, when I saw that lucky charm on your neck, I felt so at peace.”
“Why don’t you let me wear that lucky charm for a while?” she asked. “No need for the apology then. How’s that sound?”
She gave a sly little smile, eyes brimming with veiled provocation.
She knew exactly what that charm meant to Cory. After all, Jenelle was Marius’s ex-girlfriend.
Cory looked down at the small pendant tied to her neck with gold chains. She and Marius had gone to the mountains to get it right after their high school graduation.
It had been pouring that day. She was drenched from head to toe, but he had carried her down the mountain, step by step.
Back then, he said, “As long as this charm is with you, I’ll protect you. Cory, I’ll make sure you’re happy your whole life.”
And now…
“Just let her wear it for a few days,” Marius agreed casually. “Jenelle’s health hasn’t been great, and these nightmares aren’t good for her.”
The voice of the man in front of Cory overlapped with the one in her memory, making it all seem like a cruel joke.
“Marius,” Cory asked softly one last time, “you really want me to give her this charm?”
“Don’t be jealous, Cory,” he replied. “You’re my wife, the one I married legally. No one can take your place.”
“Are you upset I’ve been distant lately?” he asked. “That necklace you wanted—remember? I got someone to bring it in. I’ll give it to you soon.”
To him, she was still clinging to him for gifts.
She quietly listened, then took off the charm and handed it over.
“Here. Let her have it.”
Marius beamed, leaning in to kiss her on the forehead. “I knew you’d be the understanding one.”
She turned her head to avoid the kiss, then calmly reached into her handbag and pulled out a document.
“While you’re at it, sign this for me. It’s a contract for a new project. The law firm’s been pressing for it, and I don’t have time to handle it.”
Her tone was composed, even natural, though her knuckles had gone white from gripping the document.
Marius didn’t even glance at the contents. He just picked up a pen and signed his name.
“Go home and rest more. Stop worrying about work all the time. You’re my wife, not a machine,” he said.
“Mm.” She carefully tucked the divorce papers away, smiling faintly. “Got it.”
She didn’t say another word; she just turned and walked away.
At the end of the hallway, she finally slowed her steps. She opened her phone and quietly blocked all of Marius’s contacts.
Thirty minutes later, a sleek Rolls-Royce pulled up smoothly to the hospital entrance.
Holding her newborn close, Cory climbed into the car without looking back.
This time, she would never return!
