Chapter 2

Adam persistently whispered in my ear, half-heartedly encouraging me to visit the hospital for an IUD insertion.

Eventually, he became a distinguished medical director, while I was forced to leave the research team due to my pregnancy, watching my opportunities vanish.

I can still recall that evening—the smell of alcohol on his breath as he drunkenly rested his head on my chest, expressing his desire for us to have a child together.

Ultimately, he accompanied me to the hospital to have the IUD removed, which had become embedded in my uterine lining, resulting in a painful and messy procedure.

He wept like a young boy, vowing to treat me better from that point forward.

What he failed to realize was that from the start, my child was destined to be a tool to extend the life of his cherished subordinate, Chesley.

Adam returned in the early morning hours.

A visible love bite adorned his neck, and Chesley's scent still clung to his body.

The sight made me nauseous.

Breathing heavily, he approached and attempted to kiss me, but I turned away.

"I'm expecting," I informed him.

Adam shrugged it off. "You're already in your eighth month. If I'm careful, it won't be an issue."

He tried to move closer again, but at that moment, Chesley's ringtone sounded.

Adam hastily retreated to the balcony to answer the call.

The wind was roaring loudly.

Nevertheless, phrases such as "I miss you" and "I love you" reached my ears, one after another.

After ending the call, Adam lit a cigarette and inhaled slowly, casually mentioning, "A coworker sent some papers that need my signature. I'm heading downstairs for a moment."

The thick smoke wafted towards me, and I couldn't suppress the urge to gag.

Adam's frown deepened, and he finally snapped, "Can you stop overreacting? It's just smoke. Is it really that unbearable?"

"Why are you putting on an act?"

When I managed to say, "Secondhand smoke can harm the baby," Adam quickly extinguished the cigarette.

His expression changed, showing discomfort.

"I'm going downstairs to handle some work. You should rest," he said.

I let out a bitter laugh. The contrast between being loved and unloved had never been so apparent.

I stood on the balcony, observing the car below rocking all night. It wasn't until the street lights dimmed that Adam finally returned, carrying a flushed Chesley inside.

When I saw Chesley at the breakfast table the next morning, my eyes dark from lack of sleep, my heart remained unmoved.

I simply ate quietly from my plate.

Adam, ever attentive, poured me a glass of warm milk. "Mia, drink up. It's good for the baby's growth."

I responded briefly and said nothing more.

Chesley, visibly envious, spoke up. "Adam, I'm still growing too. Can I have some warm milk as well?"

Adam fondly tapped her nose, smiling indulgently. "Of course, my little foodie."

After a pause, he quickly added an explanation.

"Chesley's been shadowing me at work lately," he said, "and I'm supposed to mentor her thoroughly, so I invited her here for dinner. We'll go to the hospital together afterward."

He then grinned and added, "Actually, since it's New Year's Eve, why not have her stay for dinner with us? The more company, the better, right?"

Chesley, with a sweet smile, linked her arm through Adam's, her eyes filled with playful defiance.

"Well then, thank you, 'madam.'"

"But Mia probably won't mind if I come over for meals every day from now on, right?"

I simply muttered an "mm" and, with a casual "I'm finished," retreated to my bedroom.

Shortly after, Adam burst into the room. As soon as he entered, he pointed at me and exploded in anger.

"Mia, why are you being so difficult again? Chesley is our guest. How dare you give her the cold shoulder?"

"I'm telling you, apologize to her right now, or we're going to have serious problems!"

I gestured towards the file folder on the table, which held my cancer diagnosis. "Perhaps you should examine what's inside before saying anything else to me?"