Chapter 2
“Baby? Why so quiet? Are you feeling okay?”
Ryan’s voice was soft and flawless like nothing harsh had ever been said.
It was as if those cruel words just now were a bad dream.
I parted my lips, ready to bring up the divorce papers.
Then I remembered it was all pretend. There was no real marriage. I didn’t even have the right to ask for a divorce.
Just then, a sweet, high–pitched female voice came through the phone.
“Honey, my back is killing me. The baby just kicked me.
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
His calm slipped for a moment.
“Baby, something urgent came up here. I’ll be home later to be with you.”
Before I could say anything, the call ended abruptly.
I don’t know how long I sat in the living room before I heard the front door open.
Jack and Ryan walked in, their faces still glowing from some happy news.
“Sarah, I got these specially made for you in Switzerland. They’re all natural.” Jack said proudly.
Ryan crouched beside me and gently rubbed my swollen ankle.
“Why didn’t you get your checkup today? Were you upset we weren’t there? Tomorrow, I’ll get the head doctor to come here and check on you,
Chapter 2
okay?”
They both said it so warmly but stopped short when I said nothing.
Ryan shook his head ever so slightly, signaling that the wedding news. hadn’t leaked.
I handed him a document. “Sign it.”
Jack teased, “Do you only want gifts from Ryan now, not from me?”
Without a glance, Ryan signed his name in bold, confident strokes.
“We’re in this together. What’s mine is yours, don’t be so serious.”
He smiled and handed the paper back to me.
At that moment, both their phones buzzed at the same time.
Jack patted my shoulder. “There’s an urgent matter at the office. We’re heading to the new wing.”
Ryan kissed the top of my head. “We’re expanding the new wing just for you. This way, Jack and I can work and still be close.”
And with that, they hurried out.
Two boutonnières slipped from Ryan’s pocket, a quiet reminder that tonight was supposed to be their wedding night.
I looked down at the document, the part where the biological father voluntarily gave up all rights to the child, and laughed through tears.
With this, the baby in my belly had nothing to do with Ryan anymore.
I could love fully, but I could also let go.
Wiping away the last tear, I dialed Lucas Kent, my lawyer.
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Chapter 2
“Mr. Kent, I want to end the stock custody early and also cut off all support to the Morgan Group, no more funding, no more favors.”
“Ms. Evan, once the inheritance process starts, the Evan Group’s 72% shares will transfer to you within ten days.”
Lucas paused, then added.
“When Mrs. Evan passed, she set up thorough asset protections. Ms. Scott won’t be able to claim a penny from Evan Group.”
I hummed quietly and hung up.
The year
year my mom, Margareth Evan, died, Jack knelt in front of her grave. crying bitterly.
He slapped his own face over and over, blaming his drunken mistakes for hurting us.
I shut myself in my room, refusing to eat.
Ryan was the one who stayed by my side, making sure I ate, even when I didn’t want to.
“Margareth’s watching from above. She wants you to be happy.”
That line was what pulled me back.
What made me give him my whole heart?
Now, I understood the calculation hidden beneath that tenderness.
My phone buzzed nonstop.
One photo after another appeared.
Young Ryan holding Rachel close on a winter cruise through icy fjords,
0524
their fingers intertwined in the snow.
Every photo was captioned, “My beloved Rachel.”
Our honeymoon wasn’t memorable at all. He just recycled the same places. he’d gone with Rachel.
“Sarah, the honeymoon suite still shows signs of last night’s passion.
“Didn’t Ryan swear he’d hold you every night? You believe I can kick him out anytime I want?”
Rachel’s voice sent a storm churning in my stomach.
