Chapter 4

After the passing of my father two years ago, I had considered bringing my mother to live with me so I could take care of her. However, she was reluctant to move to the city, preferring to stay in the home she had shared with my father. I didn't push the issue.

Now that I've joined the National Research Institute, it'll be at least a few years before I can return. I wanted to spend as much time as possible with her before I leave.

As soon as I arrived home, my mother came to greet me, asking with a puzzled look, "Why are you alone? Didn't James come with you?"

Seeing the concern in her eyes, I remained silent for a moment before painfully telling her everything that had happened.

After hearing me out, my mother's face was filled with sympathy. Then, she asked me seriously, "Are you sure about this decision?"

"Yes, the divorce is final. Also, I'll be leaving for the National Research Institute soon. I might not be able to come back for several years. You're my biggest concern."

"Don't worry, I'm in good health," my mother said with a smile.

She was thrilled to hear about my position at the National Research Institute and supported my decision about the divorce.

During the few days I spent with my mother, I experienced a rare sense of home and warmth.

At one point, James called to ask why I wasn't at home.

I told him I had returned to my hometown to see my mother, and he didn't inquire further.

Of course, his heart had long since drifted away from me.As the night fell, I had just finished my evening routine when I casually scrolled through my feed. That's when I stumbled upon Emily's post.

The caption read: "Oops! We've gone viral!"

The accompanying photo was a snapshot of the two of them at the amusement park, caught on a popular influencer's livestream.

Netizens couldn't help but gush over the handsome man and beautiful woman, quickly digging up their identities.

The rising star of medical beauty and the domineering CEO – fans were swooning over this pairing.

If I weren't the wife of one of the parties involved, I might have thought they made a perfect match too.

I absentmindedly hit the like button before heading to bed, as tomorrow marked my first day at the National Research Institute.

I completely missed the blinking light on my bedside phone.

Early the next morning, I noticed James's missed call and messages from last night.

"Cora, are you back from your hometown? I've been at the company with Emily these past few days."

"You know, she just got back to the States and isn't familiar with a lot of things. Plus, she's just taken over the lab work and is under a lot of pressure. That's why I took her to the amusement park to unwind. Please don't take it the wrong way."

"We've hit a snag with the research. Could you come over?"

Reading James's messages, I couldn't help but smirk.

Although the cancer drug research was successful, without me, no one else could easily formulate it.After the first blissful days of their romance, they only think of me when trouble arises?

Upon returning home, I left the divorce papers on the bedroom table and departed. As for their research problems?

I chuckled to myself. Not my circus, not my monkeys!

Meanwhile, James and Emily's lab had descended into utter chaos.

"How could this happen? Why are the reagents reacting differently?"

"I followed the formula's measurements precisely!"

Emily watched helplessly as her experiments failed time and time again, on the verge of breakdown.

The lab staff nearby were also grumbling with discontent.