Chapter 2

I couldn’t save the baby.

The doctor said that due to my emotional distress and the impact causing a third of my placenta to detach, I had lost him.

When I heard the news, I nodded numbly.

The searing pain in my heart had already spread to my limbs, making even breathing an agonizing chore.

“You’ll have other children, you need to take care of yourself…”

“Where’s Leo?”

I interrupted Ben Carter’s comforting words, my voice hoarse.

His face hardened, and his eyes darted away, avoiding my gaze.

I knew then. It had been two full days since the accident, and Leo still hadn't shown up.

I let out a bitter laugh, tears falling freely.

“He’s still with Chloe and Lily, so what am I? What was our baby?”

Unwilling to tolerate it any longer, I called Leo.

The moment the call connected, I heard a call bell ring on his end.

My voice tinged with displeasure, I asked, “Are you at the hospital?”

“Yeah, Lily’s still not feeling great, so we came to City Hospital to get her checked. I’ll head home once they’re settled.”

My heart immediately ached, but I still managed to tell him I was hospitalized in the obstetrics and gynecology department.

The words had barely left my lips when Leo exploded.

“First you’re hemorrhaging, now you’re in OB-GYN? Skylar, what exactly are you and Ben Carter trying to pull?”

“I already called the dealership. The car’s badly damaged, but there’s no blood. You’re spinning such lies just to stop me from helping Chloe!”

“Skylar, remember this: you owe Chloe and Lily. I’m atoning for your sins.”

My heart sank to rock bottom.

He could call the car dealership to verify, but he couldn't be bothered to come to the hospital and see if I was okay.

I threw off the covers, enduring the sharp ache in my abdomen, and walked towards the pediatrics department.

Seeing the word “Pediatrics,” I couldn’t help but let out a bitter chuckle.

The furthest distance was just one floor, yet he couldn't bring himself to take a single step up.

I followed the sounds and walked towards the infusion room.

Leo was dotingly coaxing a red-faced Lily, who was crying.

Chloe, meanwhile, leaned on his shoulder, her eyes closed in repose.

The sight was a dagger to my eyes.

When I first found out I was pregnant, Leo had looked at my belly with that same doting expression.

His eyes had been filled with longing for a happy life as a family of three.

But now, my baby was gone, and he was reveling in the joy of being a family of three with them.

With a broken heart, I pushed down the doorknob.

My eyes met Chloe’s as she opened hers.

She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Leo.

“Leo, Lily’s stable now. You should go home and be with Skylar tonight. I’m worried about her…”

“Worried about what? Ever since she got pregnant, she’s been so paranoid, always thinking something’s going on between us. Now she’s even ganging up with Ben Carter to lie to me. She deserves to be left alone for a few days until her emotions stabilize, then I’ll go back.”

His dismissive tone made my hand tremble, and tears immediately streamed down my face.

I had thought that after five years of love and three years of marriage, we were inseparable partners.

But now I realized this love was only my unwavering devotion. He was merely an actor playing a role.

Leo placed the sleeping Lily on the bed, then reached out and pulled Chloe into his arms.

He looked down at her with an apologetic gaze: “While she hasn’t given birth yet, I have time to take care of you and Lily. Otherwise, I’d feel too guilty.”

Chloe got the answer she wanted, and her eyes, filled with triumph, challenged mine.

My heart utterly died.

The urge to demand "why" had completely vanished.

I let go of the door and slowly walked upstairs.

As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I saw Ben Carter frantically searching for me.

“Did you see Leo?”

“I did, but I don’t want him anymore.”

With those words, I closed my eyes.

My mind began to map out my future path.

Before marrying Leo, I was a high school teacher.

To take care of him, I had resolutely quit my job and moved to his city.

Now that I was sure he didn't truly love me, I wouldn't waste my heart on the wrong person any longer.

Firm in my decision, I pulled out my phone and applied for a remote teaching program.

I would set off with the new graduates in half a month.