Chapter 2

I lay weakly on the VIP hospital bed. The anesthesia had just worn off, and the incision burned with a fiery pain.

A nurse came in, holding the baby. She said softly, "Mrs. Hayes, it's a boy. Would you like to see him?"

I shook my head. It wasn't that I didn't care for the baby; I just didn't have the strength to even look at him. After all, from now on, this child would be my only family.

My phone screen lit up. A notification popped up:

**[Julian Hayes, CEO of Hayes Corp., spotted entering a hotel late at night with a new companion, rumored to be the popular young star Vivian Thorne.]**

In the photo, Julian had his arm around Vivian's waist, leaning in to talk to her, his gaze so soft it could melt stone.

I stared at that photo for a long time, then suddenly laughed.

Eight years ago, my father had a sudden brain hemorrhage and collapsed in the company conference room. Back then, Julian held me tight, his eyes bloodshot with tears, his voice hoarse:

"Claire, don't be scared. I'll take care of you from now on."

Thinking about it now, it felt truly ironic.

Just then, the hospital room door pushed open.

"Still not discharged, sister?"

Vivian Thorne walked in, smiling sweetly.

I ignored her.

She didn't care, simply walked over to the bassinet, and reached out to poke the baby's face. "Julian said this baby looks just like him. That's nice."

I looked up at her. "What are you doing here?"

She smiled, pulled a document from her bag, and tossed it in front of me. "Julian sent me to get the divorce papers. Just sign them, don't waste each other's time."

I picked up the agreement, flipping through a couple of pages. The terms were ridiculously harsh. The child would go to him, and I wouldn't get a single penny.

"Why didn't he come himself?" I asked.

Vivian shrugged. "He's busy. He's taking me to a brand gala tonight."

As she spoke, she suddenly reached out and pulled open my hospital gown, exposing the still-healing incision.

"Tsk, so ugly." She wrinkled her nose in distaste. "No wonder Julian doesn't want to touch you."

I gasped, a sharp pain lancing through me. Before I could react, she suddenly grabbed my hand and slapped herself hard across the face!

"Ah!"

She shrieked, falling to the floor. Her forehead lightly grazed the corner of the table, breaking the skin a little.

Immediately, the hospital room door burst open, and Julian Hayes stormed in.

"Vivian!" He scooped her up in his arms, his eyes cold as ice. "Claire Reynolds, are you insane?!"

I opened my mouth, wanting to explain, but swallowed the words back. What was the point of explaining? He never believed me anyway.

Vivian clung to him, weeping dramatically, "Julian, I just wanted to see the baby, and my sister suddenly attacked me…"

Julian looked at me coldly. "Sign the divorce papers. I'll send my assistant to pick them up tomorrow."

With that, he walked out, holding Vivian. At the door, he paused, and without turning his head, said, "Claire Reynolds, you disgust me."

The door slammed shut with a bang.

I sat on the bed, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted. Right, it was time for me to leave.