Chapter 3

A week later, I was discharged from the hospital.

Looking at our familiar apartment complex, memories of Leo and me flooded my mind.

Leo and I met during a fire drill at school.

As a freshman, I was a bit reckless. I shoved aside a student guarding the path, thinking I could take a shortcut.

Instead of a shortcut, I pushed myself straight towards the railing.

Just as I was about to fall, Leo grabbed my arm.

His single phrase, “You’ve got me, don’t be scared,” instantly captured my floating heart.

From that moment, I embarked on a three-year journey to pursue him.

Fortunately, my perseverance paid off, and he actually proposed.

I had thought we would live happily ever after like any normal couple, but then, in our second year of marriage, an accident happened.

I was at a shopping mall getting a massage when a fire broke out.

Coincidentally, Chloe and her husband were there too, though I didn't know who she was at the time.

I simply followed Leo's safety advice and found a relatively safe spot.

Chloe’s husband disagreed with my assessment and tugged at her, insisting they leave.

Just then, a signpost next to us toppled over.

I pulled Chloe out of the way, but I wasn’t quick enough to save her husband.

Chloe watched her husband fall into a pool of blood and blamed me for the accident.

She believed I was responsible for his death.

Seeing her spiral into hysteria, I didn't want to engage; I just wanted to escape that terrifying place.

When we met again, Chloe twisted the truth.

She told Leo that her husband had died trying to save *me*.

From then on, I became Chloe’s personal scapegoat.

Anytime Chloe felt wronged, Leo would bring up that incident to confront me.

No matter how many times I explained, Leo refused to believe me.

Just then, a flicker of light sparked in my mind, and a mocking smile touched my lips.

It wasn't that Leo didn't believe me; it was that he *didn't want* to admit Chloe was lying.

I should have understood this long ago, but to maintain our marriage, I chose to turn a blind eye.

He wasn't the only one acting.

With renewed resolve, I walked towards our apartment.

After packing my things, I seized a moment while drinking water to print out the divorce papers.

I glanced at them, then signed my name.

Just then, I heard the front door open.

Leo walked in, holding Lily in his arms.

Chloe followed behind, pushing a suitcase, her left hand draped over Leo's jacket.

They looked like a family returning from a trip abroad.

Leo stared at me, frozen, then spoke, his voice low.

“Clear out the master bedroom. Lily just recovered from being sick and needs more sunlight. You’ll have to make do for a few days.”

I didn’t speak, didn’t move.

I watched Leo meticulously arrange things for Chloe and Lily, like watching a pathetic clown show.

Chloe, not getting a response from me, looked a bit awkward.

She then took Lily from Leo’s arms.

“Leo, Lily and I should just go home. It’s not convenient.”

She said, glancing at me.

Leo immediately caught the unease in her eyes and turned, sharply barking at me.

“Skylar, what exactly are you trying to pull? Chloe was worried you wouldn't be safe during late pregnancy and offered to take care of you. Who are you putting on this lifeless act for?”

His words made me laugh out loud, my eyes brimming with tears.

*For my good*? He walked in and didn't even notice my abdomen was flat.

*For my good*? He’d let someone who destroyed our relationship move into our master bedroom.

If this was what he called love, I’d rather not have it.

Leo’s face darkened at my hysterical laughter. He stepped forward and firmly gripped my shoulders.

“Skylar, there’s a limit to your tantrums. This unreasonable behavior is making me look bad.”

“Your embarrassment has nothing to do with me. Who are you to me anyway?”

I shoved him away with force, wiping the tears from my face.

Leo was infuriated by my actions. His face flushed, he glanced at Chloe, then leaned in close to my ear, his voice low.

“I’m your husband, and the father of your child. I’ll send them away once Lily is better, then I’ll hire a nanny to take care of you and the baby…”

Leo’s voice instantly stopped.

He stared disbelievingly at my stomach, where his hand had touched.

He stood there stunned for a long moment, then tentatively touched it again.

It was still flat. His voice trembling, he looked at me.

“The baby? Why is it flat? Did that day…”

Chloe, hearing Leo’s distraught mumbling, gasped, covering her mouth.

“Oh my goodness, Skylar, I know you’re upset Leo wasn’t with you during the car crash, but you couldn’t have just aborted the baby, could you? This was the child Leo longed for…”

Leo glared at me, his eyes bloodshot and filled with resentment.

“Skylar, are you crazy? If it wasn’t to atone for *your* sins, would I be running myself ragged between two places? And now you’ve gotten rid of my child? You’re absolutely too much!”

Leo’s accusation made me laugh out loud.

He didn't believe anything Ben Carter and I said, but Chloe’s fabricated story became his excuse to blame me.

Any last shred of love I had for him completely vanished.

I placed the divorce papers directly in front of him.

“You only hear what you want to hear. There’s nothing I can do to change that. So, Leo, let’s get a divorce.”

Without waiting for his reply, I pushed my suitcase and turned to leave.