Chapter 2

“Ms. Harper, are you really going to cut off all funding immediately? Without any buffer time, their project will practically…”

“Confirmed. Pull it all. Every last cent.”

I didn't hesitate for a second. The call with my assistant, Kai, had just ended when another call came in.

“Harper Reed, what do you mean by ‘do you want to marry me’? You…”

“Exactly what it sounds like. What, you don’t want to? Should I ask someone else?”

“Who said I don’t want to! You’re not allowed to ask anyone else!” Declan’s voice shot up, then he slowly asked, “So you’re divorced now?”

“Almost. Don’t worry, I won’t let you feel grossed out.”

“That’s not what I meant. I meant, if you’re in trouble, I can help you.”

I paused, then politely declined his offer, but a warmth slowly spread through my chest. He chased me for six years and never gave up. Guess he’s finally getting what he wished for.

Only me, chasing after someone unworthy, ending up completely shattered.

Not long after I hung up, I heard Julian and Seraphina’s voices behind me.

They walked in, arm in arm, Julian carrying a large bag of baby supplies.

“Julian’s never been a dad, but he’s already so good at this stuff,” Seraphina cooed.

“If I don’t understand, I need to learn. Otherwise, how can I take good care of you… Harper?”

Julian froze slightly when he saw me. Seraphina immediately hid behind him, timidly saying, “Ms. Harper, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you’d be back today.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll go abroad after the baby is born. I won’t stay here and be an eyesore for you anymore.”

Eyesore? I chuckled. Been an eyesore for this long, a little longer won’t hurt. Besides, soon enough, out of sight, out of mind.

Just like in the past, the more pathetic Seraphina acted, the more Julian’s heart ached for her. He wrapped his arm around her, comforting her.

“What kind of person do you take me for? You have no parents, no family. How could you live alone with a child?”

The next second, he looked at me, his tone utterly natural: “Seraphina is pregnant and needs a new bedroom with a more comfortable environment.”

“She can have ours. You rarely come back here to stay anyway, with all your overtime.”

I stared directly into his eyes, simply replied “Okay,” and walked straight out.

Julian, who had prepared himself for my “tantrum,” stood rooted to the spot.

Before, when he wanted to convert my study into Seraphina’s lab, I fought him for a whole week, exhausting him completely. But this time…

“Harper, what kind of attitude is that? What are you trying to pull now?”

Julian chased after me and grabbed my arm. I looked at him impatiently and asked, “Julian, I should be asking *you* that.”

“When I made a fuss, you said I was narrow-minded. Now I’m planning to give the entire house to Seraphina, and you think I have ulterior motives?”

Julian’s expression flickered, then he let out an awkward cough, pulling my hand. “I’m sorry. I misunderstood you.”

I was momentarily stunned. In our six years of marriage, to keep him focused on his research, I was always the one who gave in first. He’d always been so stingy with his words to me, and now he was actually apologizing.

“Since you’re willing to change, then stay. Seraphina and I aren’t unwelcoming.”

“Tonight, you can make Seraphina your signature sour fish soup.”

“She’s had terrible morning sickness lately and craves something sour.”

In that instant, I wanted to throw up too.

Sure enough, it was all my imagination.

“What *is* she, that she deserves me cooking for her?”

I snapped back, unable to stand his face, but he immediately scowled and said, “Hmph, I knew you were faking it.”

“You’re still that heartless, ungrateful businesswoman with nothing but filthy money in your eyes, no different from six years ago.”