4#04

4

I gazed into Jacob's watery eyes and finally voiced the question that had been troubling me for some time.

"Do you recall what I said to you prior to our marriage?"

Before we tied the knot, I had been explicit with him: should he ever develop feelings for another, he was to inform me, and I would gracefully step aside. However, if he were to deceive me, I would vanish from his life forever.

Jacob promptly bobbed his head in agreement.

"Why are you suddenly mentioning this? Have I done something to distress you?"

He rose swiftly, his demeanor turning grave, and instructed the nurse behind him, "Summon every woman who has had any contact with me lately!"

Within moments, my room was crowded with more than ten women—nurses, maids, and even Daisy, who stood among them with her hand resting confidently on her stomach.

Jacob placed his hands behind his back and sternly commanded, "Recount to my wife precisely how you've interacted with me recently. Be as thorough as possible!"

The women recited their interactions one after another.

"Ma'am, my last interaction with Mr. Lopez was to present your most recent diet plan."

"Ma'am, I only saw him when he requested I bring soothing incense to the hospital for you."

"Ma'am, I interacted with him when he noticed your IV was low and asked me to replace it."

Each woman described their encounters, all pertaining to my care. Some couldn't conceal their admiration for his attentiveness towards me.

When it was Daisy's turn, she said casually, "I haven't had any interaction with Mr. Lopez since delivering the fruit basket yesterday. Ma'am, you can be certain—Mr. Lopez's affections are solely for you."

Though her words seemed complimentary, they were laced with mockery.

I laughed ruefully, gesturing for everyone to leave.

Having proven his faithfulness, Jacob appeared more relaxed. He sat by my bedside, grasped my hand, and said earnestly, "Larissa, you know you're the only one I've ever loved. I could never have feelings for anyone else."

I gave a soft "Mm" and pulled my hand away, disregarding the disappointment in his gaze.

As if suddenly recalling something, he added, "Larissa, I have a business trip tomorrow, so I can't stay with you. But my phone will be on constantly. Call me if you need me."

His words were brimming with affection, seemingly genuine.

Stifling my unease, I nodded. "Be careful on your journey."

For a brief moment, I detected a flicker of guilt in his eyes. Then he spoke again, his voice tinged with apparent reluctance.

"But I'll miss you terribly. Even though it's just for a day, I hate being away from you for even a moment."

He sighed heavily before continuing, "When we adopt a child, let's pass the company on to them. That way, I won't have to travel so much, and we can always be together."

If I wasn't already aware that he was leaving to wed Daisy in a week, I might have been touched by his words.

Finally, he kissed my forehead with visible reluctance and exited the room.

The instant he left, I departed from the hospital. At home, I gathered my possessions and placed a signed divorce agreement on the living room table. Without a backward glance, I boarded a flight to Switzerland.

Before the plane took off, I erased and blocked all of Jacob's contact information, cutting all ties with him.