"Sign the divorce papers now!"

Julian Edward slammed the divorce documents onto the glass table with such force that Evelyn Stone flinched. His once gentle eyes were now cold and stormy, filled with a harsh finality. There was no trace of love left between them.

Evelyn sat frozen, her hand trembling as she reached for the pen. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps as if her chest was being crushed. Is this really the end?

"Why are you in such a rush, Julian?" she asked softly, almost in a whisper. "Am I so unbearable that you can't stand one more day with me?"

Julian's gaze was razor-sharp. "Stop wasting time, Evelyn. I don't want to drag this out. Just sign it, and let's end this!"

Evelyn slowly lifted her face, trying to read the expression of the man she had once loved with all her heart. But all she saw now was a stranger-cold, distant. With shaking fingers, she began to sign the papers.

Suddenly, a sharp pain twisted in her stomach. A wave of nausea slammed into her without warning. She covered her mouth, shot up from the chair, and ran to the bathroom.

The sound of retching echoed again and again. Her knees buckled as she collapsed against the bathroom wall, gasping, pale as a ghost.

Julian followed, knocking on the bathroom door, annoyed. "Evelyn? Hey, what's going on with you?"

Evelyn opened the door slowly, her eyes dull, her face drained of color. She wiped her mouth with a tissue.

"I'm just... nauseous," she whispered weakly.

"Nauseous?" Julian narrowed his eyes. A sudden suspicion flickered in his mind. "Wait. Don't tell me... are you pregnant?"

Evelyn looked down. She wasn't sure herself. But lately, her body had felt different. Her breasts were sore, and she was constantly tired.

"Don't worry," she said, trying to sound strong. "Even if I am pregnant, I'll still sign the papers. You don't have to feel responsible."

Julian froze. His heartbeat stuttered. Evelyn's words struck like lightning. Pregnant? What if it was true? What if she was carrying his child?

What if it was a boy?

A dull ache throbbed in his head. His mother's ultimatum from a few months ago flashed in his mind.

"You'll only inherit the company if you have an heir, Julian. A son. A rightful heir to the Edward legacy."

His thoughts raced. If Evelyn truly was pregnant-and the baby was a boy-he'd finally gain access to the multimillion-dollar company inheritance. But if he divorced her now...

Evelyn had picked up the pen again, ready to sign.

Julian lunged forward, grabbing her hand.

"Evelyn, wait!" he cried.

She looked up, startled.

"We... we shouldn't go through with the divorce."

"What?" Evelyn frowned, unable to believe what she just heard.

Before she could press further, footsteps echoed from the stairs.

Selena appeared at the living room entrance, wearing a thin silk nightgown and a forced smile. Her expression turned sharp the moment she saw Julian and Evelyn standing too close.

"Did I hear that right?" Selena sneered. "Julian, you said you'd finalize the divorce today. What's with this sudden change of heart?"

Julian opened his mouth, hesitating.

Selena crossed her arms, eyes flashing. "You're not seriously backing out because she might be pregnant, are you?"

Julian gave a slow nod. "I'm not sure. But if she really is... and if it's a boy-"

Selena laughed bitterly, her voice laced with venom. "Oh my god, you're a fool if you still believe that inheritance nonsense. Look at her! You really think a woman like that could give birth to a son?"

Evelyn winced inwardly. Each word was a dagger to her heart.

"And even if she is pregnant," Selena added, "just pay her off. Tell her to disappear. Problem solved."

Suddenly, Selena clutched her stomach. Her face turned pale.

"Ugh... I feel sick," she moaned, closing her eyes. "I'm dizzy..."

Julian immediately rushed to her side, helping her to the couch. He touched her forehead, concern flooding his features. "Selena? Are you okay?"

Evelyn stood frozen, watching the man who once cared for her now so quick to show tenderness to another woman.

Her tears spilled freely now, no longer held back.

"How ironic," Evelyn said, her voice trembling. "When I was throwing up just now, you didn't even touch me. But the moment she feels slightly sick, you're already panicking."

Julian said nothing. He just stared at Selena.

Evelyn took a deep breath and wiped her tears. She picked up the pen that had fallen earlier.

Without another word, she signed the divorce papers.

Silence fell over the room. Even the sound of breathing seemed deafening.

Evelyn looked Julian in the eyes-her gaze no longer wet with tears, but sharp with resolve.

"I'm done, Julian," she said. "I've fought long enough for a love that only I believed in. Now, go live with your choice."

She placed the papers on the table and turned away, not waiting for his response.

Her steps were firm as she walked out of the house she once called home. Now, it was nothing more than a graveyard of memories.

At the doorway, she paused briefly. Her hand moved to her stomach.

"I'll protect you, baby... even without him."

"Take all your clothes and get out of this house!"

Selena's voice echoed through the grand living room. Her breath was ragged, her eyes ablaze with hatred. She threw Evelyn's suitcase and clothes one by one toward the front door. Dresses, nightgowns, and underwear scattered across the floor, now mixing with dirt and the rainwater beginning to soak the terrace.

Evelyn stood trembling on the doorstep. Her fists clenched tightly as she fought back the shame and heartbreak. She had just signed the divorce papers, and now, she was forced to watch her dignity be trampled like garbage.

"Julian, are you really throwing me out tonight? It's raining. Can you honestly watch me get drenched like a stray dog with no place to go?" Her voice was hoarse, nearly drowned by the pounding rain on the rooftop.

Julian stood behind Selena, his face expressionless but firm. Yet Evelyn could still see a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

Selena quickly stepped forward and grabbed Julian's arm. "If you still care about this woman, I'm leaving! Choose-her or me!"

Julian lifted his chin. "Leave, Evelyn. I can't hurt Selena just for someone like you."

Thud.

It was like a sledgehammer hit Evelyn's chest. Julian's words shattered every ounce of pride and every memory they had built together.

Selena let out a sharp breath. She strode over, yanked Evelyn's arm harshly, and shoved her past the gate. Evelyn fell to the ground, her clothes soaked and muddied.

"Get out of our lives, you pathetic beggar!"

The gate slammed shut behind her. Bang!

Evelyn slowly looked up. Her hair clung to her face, soaked by the rain, and tears streamed down, merging with the water running down her cheeks. She bit her lip, trying to stop the sobs threatening to burst out. Shivering, she began picking up her scattered clothes from the wet street.

She had no money, no cards. Home had become a place that rejected her. And the world felt so vast, yet not a single corner offered her shelter.

Her steps were unsteady. Her shoes were soaked, her stomach twisted in pain, her head pounded. The street was dark and muddy, and her weary body began to falter.

Thump! Evelyn collapsed, lying flat on the deserted road. The rain kept pouring, and her consciousness slowly faded.

In the distance, headlights reflected off puddles. A sleek black sedan screeched to a halt.

"Mr. William! There's a woman passed out on the road!" the driver shouted as he jumped out and rushed to check on Evelyn's limp, freezing body.

From inside the car, William Montgomery stared out the window, his gaze sharp and commanding. But when he saw the face of the woman lying there, his pupils widened in shock.

"That... it's her... the girl... the one who saved me ten years ago."

William's voice caught in his throat. He opened the car door himself and knelt beside Evelyn, gripping her shoulder tightly.

"Quick! Get her in the car. We're going to the hospital now!"

The driver nodded and helped him carry Evelyn's frail body into the car.

---

At the hospital...

Hours passed. Evelyn lay in a hospital bed, an IV drip in her hand, a blanket pulled over her cold body. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open.

A man was sitting beside her. A man in an expensive black suit with eyes as sharp as a hawk.

"Who... are you?" Evelyn murmured, her voice weak, her mind foggy.

The man stared directly into her eyes, his lips curling into a faint smile.

"My name is William Montgomery."

Evelyn frowned. The name meant nothing to her.

"Thank you for saving me, sir..."

William nodded, then asked in return, "Why were you lying in the middle of the road like that? What happened to you?"

Evelyn lowered her gaze. Her heart ached again. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her tears at bay.

"I... I just lost everything."

"Did your husband just throw you out of the house?"

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. Her breath caught in her throat. How... how did this man know exactly what she was going through?

"Thank you, Sir. I'm sorry, but I have to go," Evelyn said with a trembling voice, her fingers clutching the edge of the hospital blanket.

Her steps were unsteady as she tried to get down from the bed. The cold floor met the soles of her feet, sending a slight shiver through her body. But it wasn't the chill that made her tremble-it was the crushing reality that she had nowhere to go... and no money to pay for any of this.

"Evelyn!"

William Montgomery's voice halted her in her tracks. Firm. Cold. But beneath it-there was a trace of concern.

He strode quickly to her bedside and caught her arm, stopping her from falling. Evelyn looked up, her eyes meeting his sharp gaze.

"You're not fully recovered, Miss. Stay here!" William commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"But, Sir..." Evelyn lowered her gaze, her voice quivering. "I... I don't have any money. I'm not even sure I can afford this hospital bill." Her voice cracked, tears beginning to glimmer at the corners of her eyes.

William took a deep breath, something flickering behind his steady eyes. "You don't need to worry about the hospital expenses, Miss Evelyn. Just rest. I'll take care of everything."

Evelyn looked at him with doubt. "Sir, I have nothing. I'm afraid this will become a debt I can never repay."

William turned away briefly, then faced her again, arms crossed over his chest. "You don't need to think about repaying it now. Think about it later-when you're strong enough to stand on your own."

His words sounded light, but there was intensity in his eyes. Evelyn fell silent. A storm brewed inside her: her wounded pride, the shame of being a burden, and the overwhelming gratitude all fought for space in her heart.

At last, in a barely audible voice, she said, "Alright, then. But only until I'm strong enough to leave."

William gave a slight nod and walked out without another word.

---

The next day, the doctor came in with unexpected news.

"You're in better condition now, Miss Evelyn. You can be discharged today."

Evelyn froze. Instead of joy, her face went blank. After the doctor left, she collapsed onto the bed. Tears began to fall-quiet, but unstoppable.

"Go home?" she whispered. "Go home to where?"

No house. No family. No destination.

From across the room, William stood silently at the door, watching her fragile figure cry in silence. His expression shifted-usually unreadable, now taut, as though something inside him cracked.

"So pitiful, Evelyn..." he muttered quietly, before finally stepping inside.

The sound of his steady footsteps made Evelyn look up. She quickly wiped her tears, but it was too late. William had seen them.

Without a word, he extended his hand. Evelyn stared at it, hesitant, but eventually placed her own hand in his.

William gently pulled her up, then softly wiped the tears from her cheek. "You don't have to be afraid. If you don't know where to go, come with me."

Evelyn looked at him, confused.

"I own a company," William continued. "You can work there. As my personal assistant."

Thump. Evelyn's heart skipped a beat.

"Personal assistant?" she whispered. "But... but Sir, I've never worked in a position like that before..."

A faint smile touched William's lips. "Don't worry. You'll learn. What matters is that you stay by my side."

Stay by his side? The words echoed in Evelyn's mind. Her chest tightened. There was something strange in his tone. Too... personal?

His gaze had changed too. It wasn't just the look of an employer to an employee. It was as if he saw her as... something more.

Evelyn frowned slightly, taking a small step back. "I'm sorry, Sir... but what exactly do you mean by 'stay by your side'?"

William narrowed his eyes. "Why? Is there something wrong with what I said?"

Evelyn didn't answer right away. Questions churned in her mind. Who exactly was this man? Why did he offer her a job so easily? Why was he so attentive, as if they shared a connection deeper than that of two strangers?

And most frightening of all... why was she starting to feel safe around him?