Chapter 2

His commanding tone was particularly uncomfortable, causing a bitter feeling to well up inside me.

In the past, to please him, I would have meekly agreed without hesitation.

But today, I replied coolly, "Have the chef do it. I'm not feeling well."

Pregnancy already left me weak, and after the surgery, I was even more drained.

I no longer had the energy to argue with him, nor did I care about his mood anymore.

Before Nolan could angrily rebuke me, I hung up the phone.

A Rolls-Royce had silently pulled up at the cemetery entrance.

The window rolled down, and Nolan's mother removed her sunglasses, nodding at me.

I approached, clutching my still aching abdomen.

"Xanthe, I heard that little bastard Nolan mistreated you again."

"Don't worry, Mom will get even for you... As for the baby, you'll have more in the future."

I forced a smile and said softly,

"There won't be any more children. I'm planning to leave."

Nolan's mother's expression changed as she warned in a deep voice, "Don't forget what you promised me. You said you'd stay with Nolan!"

My face turned pale as I replied, "Now my reputation is in tatters. I'm mocked and humiliated, no longer fit for your Sterling family."

"I have done what you asked, so please don't make things difficult for me anymore."

Nolan's mother looked at my numb expression and swaying body, and finally sighed and agreed to my request.

My father was Mr. Sterling's bodyguard. Both of them died unexpectedly in a car accident years ago.

My mother fell ill and never recovered.

Mrs. Sterling supported me financially for seven years, until I graduated.

I had planned to join an overseas research project recommended by my advisor.

But Mrs. Sterling came to me. Nolan had his legs broken in an act of revenge at the time.

She hoped I could be by his side as his wife and take care of him.

Due to seven years of kindness, I found it hard to refuse.

Nolan recovered under my care, and our relationship grew stronger.

Until he discovered his mother was giving me money and thought I was after him for the money.

From then on, he never looked at me properly again.

My seven years of entanglement with Nolan,

Now, let me put an end to it with my own hands.

When I returned to the mansion, Scarlett was curled up in Nolan's arms watching TV.

Seeing me come back, she smiled mockingly, "Xanthe didn't come home all night. Do you have a new flame?"

I remained silent, which Nolan mistook for guilt.

He stepped forward and gripped my chin.

"Just because I said a few words to you yesterday, you're going to be this petty?"

"It's just a video, what's the big deal if someone else sees it? It's not like it'll kill you!"

"Scarlett's young, and you scared her by not coming home last night. Go apologize to her right away."

Hearing his self-righteous accusations, I could only find it laughable.

At eight months pregnant, I was less important to him than a secretary!

He didn't even notice my deathly pale complexion.

Due to my weak constitution, my belly wasn't very prominent even at eight months.

Nolan hadn't noticed anything unusual at this point.

In the past, I would have tearfully poured out my grievances to him.

But now, I felt nothing, and had no desire to argue with him.

If he wanted to dote on Scarlett, he could spoil her all he wanted. It had nothing to do with me.

I pressed my lips together and walked unsteadily towards the bedroom.

After Nolan grew to despise me, he had me move into the tiny servant's quarters.

A flicker of confusion and hesitation crossed his face,

He loosely grasped my wrist, "Xanthe, what do you mean by not saying a word? Are you not convinced?"

I discovered my body was cold, but he anxiously said:

"Are you feeling unwell? I'll take you to the hospital to get checked out..."

I curled my lip in derision.