Fifteen years ago, Nathan and I met in college when he fell head over heels for me at first sight. It took him a year and a half to win me over.

He gave up a chance to study abroad for me, a decision that led his parents to despise me. What they didn't know was that the prestigious opportunity had initially been mine. In an effort to make peace with Nathan’s parents, I voluntarily gave up my spot.

I never imagined Nathan would do the same to stay by my side. This led his parents to believe I had ruined his future.

They called me a troublemaker and insisted I had led him astray, adamantly opposing our marriage. As an orphan, I was already sensitive and vulnerable, so I left him a breakup letter and quietly walked away.

I saw Nathan again while volunteering in the Alps. On that day, an unprecedented storm struck. The conditions were terrible, and the rain caused buildings to collapse, trapping me under the rubble.

Disregarding the danger and everyone's warnings, Nathan dug through the debris with his bare hands until he found me. Seeing him covered in mud, eyes red and trembling as he held me, I realized I was completely and irrevocably in love.

Despite the lack of anyone’s blessing, I was determined to marry him.

After marriage, Nathan, concerned about the pain of childbirth, suggested we remain childfree and even underwent sterilization. I was indifferent about having kids, preferring to take life as it came. Nathan insisted he didn’t want me to suffer and didn’t want anyone, not even our own child, to disrupt our life together.

As a result, his parents disapproved of me even more, eventually cutting ties with Nathan as well. On the rare occasions we had to see them, they always belittled me with sarcastic remarks and personal attacks.

But Nathan always stood firmly by my side, protecting me.

Three years ago, his parents' attitude toward me suddenly changed overnight. They began sending us health supplements regularly and eagerly arranged medical checkups for us. Rosa even started taking parenting classes and eventually sold her home in the countryside to buy a place in London.

Despite Rosa’s change of heart, Nathan always used my well-being as an excuse to turn down my attempts to accompany him on visits to his parents.

Initially, I believed he was just trying to protect me. But once I received the paternity test results, everything clicked into place.

The supplements and checkups were part of their plan to prepare for a child. To keep me in the dark, they went through the motions with me as well.

Nathan’s refusal to let me visit them was because they were hiding that mother and child in the new house.

Nathan sensed my distress and held my hand tightly, softly whispering, "Aria, don't worry. I won't listen to my mother. To me, you're the most important person."

"The most important?" I muttered, pulling my hand away and gesturing at the pair in the living room. "If I'm the most important, then what are they? Just an afterthought?"

A flicker of pain crossed Nathan's eyes as he tried to embrace me again. But I was done with his touch. In my attempt to break free, my nails accidentally scratched his face.

"Ouch!" Laurel gasped, rushing to his side. She stood on her toes, gently holding his face in her hands, her eyes welling with tears. "You're bleeding! Does it hurt?"

"It's fine, don't worry," Nathan reassured her softly, holding her hand.

I lowered my gaze to the blood on my fingers, feeling as lifeless as a puppet whose strings had been cut, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably.

After calming her, Nathan bent to pick up the crying Matheo, his eyes filled with disappointment as he looked at me. "Aria, is this what you wanted?"

When I remained silent, he just took Laurel's hand and turned to leave. Just before the door closed, he gave me a cold farewell, "If you want a divorce, then that's what you'll get."

The door slammed shut with a resounding thud.

I slowly sank to the floor, wrapping my arms around myself, sobbing until my voice was hoarse.

Nathan left without hesitation, and soon after, I found myself bedridden due to illness.

The heartbreak was so intense that it left me feeling numb.

Dr. Lawson Bryant examined me, prescribed some sedatives, and advised I rest, warning against emotional stress.

I looked at Nathan's Facebook posts with a bitter smile.

After leaving, he moved in with Laurel and her son.

He hadn't been to the office these past few days, busy taking Laurel and Matheo on a tour of Paris, flooding social media with dozens of cheerful photos daily.

I distinctly remembered how much he used to despise posting photos online.

I wanted to follow the doctor's advice, but it felt as if someone kept twisting a knife in my heart.

After a few days of rest, my health began to improve, and I finally had the courage to call my lawyer.

But just as I picked up my phone, Nathan called.

On instinct, I answered, and his cold voice cut in immediately.

"I’ve been reflecting for five days. Haven't you calmed down yet? If you promise to sincerely apologize to Laurel, I can bring them both home now, and we can return to our normal lives."

His infuriating words brought tears to my eyes.

Sniffling, I replied softly, "It's good that you’re coming back."

Nathan assumed I agreed to apologize, sounding noticeably more cheerful.

"Hold on."

He hung up, and as I listened to the dial tone, I collected my emotions and called the lawyer.

By the time Nathan got home, I had already printed the divorce papers.

He didn't notice the documents in my hand and approached me, pulling Laurel along, trying to play peacemaker.

"You were too emotional that day and scared Laurel and Matheo. Today, just apologize properly, and we can move on."

Laurel was holding his hand, smiling, but her smile couldn’t have been more annoying.

I turned my gaze away and began to scrutinize Laurel.

Not yet thirty, she could easily pass for eighteen despite having a child.

Her makeup was flawless, and she wore the latest Dior dress, with the pink diamond ring Nathan had won at an auction.

I glanced at myself, with crow's feet deep enough to trap mosquitoes, hair like a bird's nest, and wearing an old nightgown from a decade ago. I wore no jewelry for convenience while working, and surprisingly, I found myself feeling at peace with Nathan's choice.

I handed over the divorce papers with a smile, "Sign them."

"You!"

Nathan looked up angrily but paused when he saw how pale I was.

Quickly, he let go of Laurel and held my shoulders, concerned. "Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell? Let me take you to the hospital."

Seeing his furrowed brows, I could sense his concern.

My heart ached momentarily, but I shook my head and handed him the divorce papers again. "Take a look. If you agree, just sign them."

Nathan finally faced the papers, but he merely tossed them aside and held me tightly.

"Aria, please stop this. You know I don’t want a divorce..."

His words were cut off by sobbing.

Laurel, holding her child, stood nearby and spoke sorrowfully, "It’s all my fault. If I hadn't had Matheo, I wouldn’t have made Aria so sad, nor would I have put Nathan in such a difficult position."

Nathan’s grip on me tightened, then loosened as he moved to comfort Laurel instead.

Tenderly, he wiped away her tears and kissed her lips, murmuring, "Don’t say that. You and the child mean the world to me. How could you not know that?"

He glanced at me, then whispered something in her ear.

Laurel broke into a shy smile, playfully hitting his chest.

Watching them share such affection in front of me, what else was there left for me to say?