"Fortunately, you’re tolerant enough to let Holly live in our house. I promise she’ll move out once she officially joins the company."
It turns out that all of this was for Holly.
Darrell smiled as he pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it. Inside was a sparkling five-carat diamond ring.
He took my hand, intending to slide it onto my finger immediately.
He always tried to smooth things this way whenever we fought.
I instinctively pulled my hand back.
Darrell paused, his expression shifting into confusion.
He always said I looked paler on the days I took medicine, but today felt different.
"... A beautiful diamond ring like this, and I haven’t even put on makeup or changed my clothes yet. It wouldn’t feel right to wear it now."
He didn’t seem to notice the awkwardness of my lie—or maybe he didn’t want to question it too much.
Darrell smiled softly, gazing at me with affection, and spoke, "No matter how time changes, you are as beautiful to me as ever."
"I once swore that even though I couldn’t provide you with the best material life, I would compensate with my heart. Now, I have a material life, and my heart is still yours."
Darrell and I were college classmates.
Back then, his family wasn’t well-off, and he worked hard for scholarships.
I was drawn to his determination and passion.
Even though my mother didn’t believe he had potential later, I resolutely chose the latter between family and love.
I gave up my career and devoted myself to cooking for him.
Five years have passed since then.
For his son, whom he constantly yearned for, I’ve become like a medicine jar, soaked in the scent of medicine.
I am no longer young and beautiful.
Yet, when I hear Darrell’s words again, my heart is moved.
How much does our eight-year relationship truly weigh in his heart?
"Wife, you look very uncomfortable. Let me take you to the hospital."
"You’re always taking medicine, and your complexion is even worse."
I didn’t have time to respond.
In the next moment, Darrell suddenly received a call and rushed out.
"Wife, I’ll take you to the hospital later. There’s a client I need to meet personally."
"It won’t be long, wait for me."
I sat quietly on the sofa, waiting for him for two hours.
Two hours later, I saw a post from Holly’s circle of friends.
The photo was taken at a high-end custom restaurant.
There was a very conspicuous heart-shaped candle placed between the two sets of tableware.
The caption read "He said I’m the most beautiful woman. Stinky men are always slick, so annoying~"
I once wanted to try this restaurant.
It's just that Darrell said he couldn't get an appointment.
But it wasn’t impossible to get one.
The "client" he needed to receive wasn’t me.
I clicked a thumbs-up.
I called the lawyer and asked him to draft a divorce agreement.
Darrell called, "I won’t be back tonight. Remember to attend the family dinner tomorrow at noon. You can take a taxi here by yourself. Holly got hurt and I took her to the hospital."
"...Brother, I want more..."
He hung up the phone hurriedly, as if he were afraid I’d hear him.
I pulled a mocking smile at the corner of my mouth.
There was no more ripple in my heart.
Even if I didn’t want anything to do with the Thornton family anymore, there were some things I had to handle personally.
At the family dinner, Thornton’s mother glanced at me and finally settled on my belly.
With a tone of regret, she said, "Alex, why is there still no movement in your belly? It’s been so many years, it’s really a sin."
