Jolie couldn't remember how she got home that day. All she knew was that when she arrived, she had no strength left in her body.

Suddenly, stabbing pain shot through her lower abdomen. She thought it was just a stomach ache and took some medicine, but the pain didn't subside.

She tried to get to the hospital, but after a few steps, she felt something flow between her legs.

"Oh my god, Mrs. Knight! What's happening?!"

The maid was terrified when she saw Jolie's pants stained with blood.

Jolie looked down and saw the bright red blood pooling beneath her.

Panic set in. "Call Kaden! Now!"

"Right, right! I'll call him immediately!"

The maid dialed Kaden. The call connected quickly. "Sir… Mrs. Knight—"

"I don't have time for her today. Tell her not to bother me."

"But… it looks like she's having a miscarriage—"

The phone clicked as he hung up. Jolie's body went limp, collapsing to the floor. The pain in her abdomen made it hard to breathe.

The maid rushed over to support her.

"Mrs. Knight, I'll take you to the hospital immediately. Don't be afraid!"

"Kaden…" Thinking of that call, Jolie clutched her stomach and let out a bitter laugh. "I… hate you…"

Her consciousness faded, and she could no longer hold on and passed out.

When she woke up, it was already two days later.

Kaden was sitting by her bedside, his eyes red and swollen.

He hadn't slept a wink in two days, just staying there, watching over her, hoping she would wake up soon.

"Jolie, you're awake? How do you feel? Does it still hurt?"

He held her hand tightly, as if afraid she would disappear the next second.

Jolie yanked her hand free and turned her face away. She didn't want to look at him.

"Jolie, the doctor says you lost the baby because of the stress you've been bottling up. I'm sorry. If I had known sooner, I wouldn't have treated you so badly. But why didn't you tell me?"

So she had been pregnant.

Jolie blinked, but tears still sliding down her cheeks.

No wonder her period hadn't come this month. She had thought it was from being too angry recently.

But maybe it was for the best. The baby was gone, and she was leaving Kaden anyway.

"We're still young. There will be other children."

Kaden said it lightly, but his words were like a knife, stabbing repeatedly at her heart.

"Yes… there will be other children," Jolie said with a faint smile. But they wouldn't be Kaden's.

"Good, I'm glad you understand. By the way, Larry's at the door. She wants to see you."

Larry stepped in cautiously, holding a bouquet of carnations. "Sorry, Mrs. Knight. I didn't know you were pregnant. If I had known, I wouldn't have sent those messages to provoke you, I was just being childish."

Jolie smiled at her fake, innocent face.

Knowing full well she could never be a mother, Larry still brought a bouquet of carnations on purpose.

This woman was truly poisonous.

But Kaden seemed blind to it all.

"Leave. I want to rest."

"I know you're upset," Larry continued, refusing to leave and sniffling softly.

"But don't be too sad. You only lost one child. I'm carrying Mr. Knight's baby. Why don't we wait until the baby is born, and I'll make you the godmother?"

"You're pregnant?"

Kaden's face lit up with joy as he grabbed Larry's hand. "When did this happen?"

"Just now, I felt so nauseous I almost threw up, so I asked a doctor to run some tests."

Larry pulled out an ultrasound report. "I'm three months along, Kaden. This is our baby!"

"That's amazing, Larry! I'm going to be a dad!"

Kaden lifted her off the ground and spun her around, completely oblivious to Jolie's shattered expression.

Jolie grabbed the fruit tray from the bedside table and hurled it at the two of them.

"Get out of here!"

"Jolie!"

Kaden shielded Larry instinctively, snapping at Jolie without thinking.

"I know you're upset, but Larry's been nothing but considerate. She's even offering to make you the kid's godmother. Isn't that enough?" Forget it, you're in a bad mood. I'm not going to argue. Just get some rest. I'll come back in a few days."

With that, he gently led Larry out. "You're pregnant now. You need proper rest. Let me drive you home."

Larry pouted, her lips painted red. "Why go home?"

"So you can pack a few things and move in with me. You're all by yourself. I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone."

As the two of them walked away, Jolie's tears finally broke free.

Kaden had already made a home with another woman, and she had nothing left to hold on to.

Her phone buzzed. Her mentor was calling.

"Jolie, are you ready? Your documents have all been approved. They're expecting you to join the team on time."

Glancing at the date, Jolie realized how quickly seven days had passed. It was time.

"I'm ready, Professor. I'll meet you at the airport."

When she got home, she packed her luggage swiftly, preparing to leave.

Housekeeper Helen sensed something was wrong but didn't dare stop her. She kept dialing Kaden.

The moment the call connected and she mentioned "Jolie," Kaden's voice turned impatient. "What is she doing now? Helen, I'll deal with her later. I have more important things to do right now. Just tidy up the guest room. I'm bringing Larry home."

Jolie heard every word clearly.

Helen looked awkward. "Ma'am..."

"Just do what he said. And actually, don't bother with the guest room, clean the master bedroom. Tell Kaden I've figured everything out. I wish him and Larry a lifetime of happiness. After all, trash belongs with trash."

With that, Jolie dragged her suitcase out of the villa without looking back.

A three-year closed research project was more than enough to drown out the pain of these past days.

"Kaden, this is really goodbye."

Outside the villa, a black Cavenne pulled up.

The window lowered halfway, revealing an outrageously handsome face.

"Jolie. Get in."

Jolie froze. "I didn't expect it to be you."

"Who else would it be? My dad and the others are already waiting at the airport. Three years with zero contact with the outside world—can you handle that?"

Jolie's voice was steady. "I can."

He lifted an eyebrow, placed her suitcase inside, and drove off with her.

The scenery shifted rapidly outside the window. Jolie glanced down at the wedding ring on her hand.

Kaden had taken her to buy it the day he proposed, even engraving their names on the inside.

She used to treasure it. Now she didn't want it anymore.

She slipped off the diamond ring, took a photo, and posted it on a reselling site.

"Selling what once was love. Starting bid: $1. First come, first served."

Minutes later, the ring was sold.

Her love with Kaden ended there as well.

At the airport.

Jolie's mentor and the old team members from previous projects greeted Jolie warmly.

"Welcome back, Jolie."

"Thank you, Professor Evans."

Jolie took her plane ticket from her mentor and was about to wheel her suitcase toward the check-in counter when someone reached out and grabbed it.

"I got this."

She turned and saw Greyson Evans, curiosity sparking. "You? You're coming too?"

"Didn't you know? Greyson's following in his father's footsteps. He's part of this project as well."

"Oh really?"

Jolie raised an eyebrow, glancing at the man beside her.

She had known Greyson since she was little. Handsome, high-profile, always the center of attention.

Brilliant in every way… except mischievous. He had been scolded by his father countless times.

Yet now, he was calm, heading to a three-year closed lab project with them. She could hardly believe it.

"What? Don't tell me you don't recognize me after five years."

Greyson smirked, dragging his suitcase toward the counter.

Jolie smiled at his retreating back and quickened her pace to catch up."

On the plane, Jolie's seat was next to Greyson.

Outside the window, clouds spread like a soft white blanket. The engine hummed steadily.

Feeling a chill, she was about to ask a flight attendant for a blanket when the man beside her pulled one from his bag and draped it over her lap.

"Here, use this."

His tone was gentle but commanding, with no room for refusal.

Jolie couldn't help but be surprised. She hadn't expected him to be this considerate.

Before she could thank him, he adjusted the overhead vent, angling the air away from her.

"You still seem as delicate as before. Are you sure you're ready for this project?"

A teasing smile curved Greyson's lips. Jolie retorted with a smirk, "I never thought someone who used to barely sit still would now be heading into a full-blown research project with me."

"Do you know why I'm going?"

His obsidian eyes sparkled like stars.

His gaze was intense, and Jolie couldn't help but feel her cheeks warm.

She looked away, embarrassed. "How would I know? Surely there isn't someone you like in the team, right?"

"Bingo."

"Really?"

Jolie's curiosity got the better of her. "Who? Can you tell me?"

"Curious much? Take a nap. We'll need our energy once we land and start reviewing project materials."

He leaned back, closing his eyes.

Jolie glanced at the blanket over her legs and the man beside her. Warmth blossomed in her chest.

After ten hours in the air, they reached their destination. Before entering, Jolie's mentor, Axton Evans, collected every phone.

"These phones will be returned to you in three years, exactly as they are now. I hope our project will succeed and make a global impact!"

Jolie turned off her phone and placed it in the box.

This time, she was ready to devote herself fully to her career.