Chapter 4What I Truly Want to Do

The procedure was done ahead of schedule. The private nurse I'd hired never showed up. I was alone, lying on a cold hospital bed. But thank God for modern technology; at least I could order food and wouldn't starve.

The next day, as I was leaving, I went to get the official certificate for the procedure. Walking past a room, I saw Victoria surrounded by Arthur and Charles. And my hired nurse was in there with them. They were in the room right next to mine.

On a morbid impulse, I pressed my ear to the door.

"I'm telling you, she's perfectly fine," the doctor was saying, exasperated. "You can all go home."

Charles was packing Victoria's things while Arthur followed the doctor into his office.

I trailed them, listening from the hallway.

"Doctor, are you absolutely sure the baby is okay?" Arthur pressed.

Faced with the undeniable power of money, the doctor was exceedingly patient. "Mr. Charles Howard's sperm quality is admittedly low, but the mother is healthy. As long as you're careful, the baby will be fine."

So I was right. Charles Howard did have fertility problems. No wonder Arthur, the ruthless tycoon, treated his daughter-in-law like a precious treasure.

Since he showed me no mercy, he could expect none from me.

On the way home, I got a text from my landlord reminding me that rent was due.

I spun the car around and headed straight for the office to get my money.

The moment I stepped into the lobby, the whispers started.

"How dare she show her face? After a scandal like that."

"No wonder she's thirty and still single. God knows how she really got all those clients."