My overly polite and distant tone made Samuel frown unconsciously.

　　After a quiet moment, he asked me with a half-smile how I planned to explain our separation to my parents.

　　Seeing that I remained silent, Samuel let out a cold, disdainful chuckle.

　　"Natalie, don't tell me you regret it."

　　Sensing his gaze, I finally put down my phone and gave him a glance.

　　"Oh, yes, you're right. Anyway, just focus on driving, don't get distracted."

　　I didn't want to get into a car accident with my ex-husband on the first day of being single and end up dead on the street.

　　Hearing my perfunctory response, his hands on the steering wheel tightened even more.

　　Samuel's Bluetooth-connected phone rang with the sweet love song that the young girl loved the most.

　　In front of me, Samuel chose to answer the call.

　　An overly gentle voice of a young girl echoed in the car.

　　She coquettishly complained to Samuel that she was starving after several classes.

　　Samuel glanced at me and, seeing my calm expression, jokingly said to her.

　　"I know you are hungry, baby. I'll go buy your favorite sandwich for you now."

　　After the call ended, without Samuel saying anything, I pointed to the intersection ahead and gently said.

　　"You can drop me off at the next intersection."

　　The black car pulled over to the side of the road. As soon as I got out of the car, Samuel couldn't wait to drive away.

　　Watching the car disappear around the corner, I couldn't hold back any longer. My right leg, which had been twitching, gave out, and I collapsed onto the street.

　　Two months ago, Samuel called me to say that he had forgotten to take an important document.

　　So I took the document and drove to his company.

　　On the way, an overloaded truck overturned while making a sharp turn and crushed me.

　　Although I survived, my right leg was at risk of amputation due to prolonged blood loss and compression.

　　That day, in despair and tears, I called Samuel countless times.

　　His phone was always off.

　　Later, I found out that because of a comment from Emily, who said she had never seen a dove in her life.

　　Samuel bought a ticket to Prague for her.

　　He accompanied her on a week-long trip.

　　Not wanting to worry my parents, in the end, it was my best friend Sarah who accompanied me through the surgery.

　　After the doctors' best efforts, my leg was finally saved.

　　As for the man who was useless in the crucial moment, I didn't want him anymore.

　　Alone at home, I made a simple meal for myself.

　　Just as I finished eating, I received an angry message from Sarah.

　　[Natalie, you haven't officially divorced Samuel, and he's openly celebrating with Emily!]

　　Sarah sent a photo of Samuel and Emily having a sweet meal.

　　I recognized the restaurant as the one where Samuel and I went every year for our wedding anniversary.

　　I suddenly felt a strong urge to vomit.

　　When my phone rang, I couldn't bring myself to answer it. I ran to the bathroom and vomited two or three times before feeling a bit better.

　　In a second, I realized something.

　　The next morning, I went to the hospital.

　　After looking at the blood test report, the doctor said to me, "Congratulations, Ms. More, you are three months pregnant."

　　I remained quiet for a while and simply said, "Please schedule the surgery for me."

　　In the first three years of our marriage, Samuel and I wanted to be together every day.

　　He longed for a child of our own.

　　However, after many years, we remained childless despite being physically healthy.

　　Now that I was finally pregnant, everything had changed.

　　I couldn't keep this child.

　　As soon as I stepped out of the doctor's office, I saw Samuel and his girlfriend, Emily, standing at the door.

　　My hand holding the bag suddenly tightened.

　　The moment Emily saw me, her first reaction was to shrink in fear beside Samuel.

　　The irritation on his face was palpable as he questioned me.

　　"What are you doing here?"

　　Before I could think of a lie, he continued coldly.

　　"Natalie, let's part on good terms. Emily has a weak heart; your following me could easily frighten her."

　　Hearing this, I realized he had misunderstood the situation.

　　To avoid complicating things, I didn't bother to explain. I simply smiled weakly and said.

　　"Sorry, I'll leave now."

　　As I took a couple of steps, I heard someone call my name from behind.

　　A handsome man in a doctor's uniform walked toward me with determination, and Samuel's expression grew even colder.

　　"Chris, why are you here?"

　　Chris was not only my orthopedic surgeon but also a high school classmate of both Samuel and me.

　　Ignoring Samuel's unfriendly tone, Chris walked straight up to me and asked how my leg rehabilitation was going.

　　I smiled in gratitude, "Thanks to you, I can basically walk normally now."

　　I remembered the two calls Chris made to me last night, which I hadn't answered.

　　I opened my mouth to ask him what he needed, but Samuel suddenly interrupted.

　　"What rehabilitation? Your leg was just a scrape, wasn't it?"

　　Samuel only knew that I had an accident that day; he had no idea how serious my injuries were.

　　If only he had paid a little more attention to how I walked, he would have known how painful my rehabilitation was.

　　Unfortunately, he was too busy juggling work and sneaking around with Emily to spare any energy for me.

　　How could he find the energy to spare on me?

　　"My leg is none of your business," I replied flatly. "Don't forget, we're already divorced."

　　At my words, Samuel's face visibly darkened.

　　At that moment, Emily unexpectedly knelt down in front of me.

　　Tears streaming down her face like ricochet, this made me seem like a devil incarnate.

　　"Natalie, I've always wanted to say sorry to you."

　　"I've advised Samuel to cherish you."

　　"What has happened is all my fault. Whether you want to hit me or scold me, I'll accept it."

　　Facing Emily's hypocritical apology, I responded lightly.

　　"First of all, we're not so intimate. Secondly, this isn't a theater; no matter how well you perform, I won't give you a tip."

　　Seeing that I wasn't reacting the way she wanted, Emily stiffened, clutching her heart, looking pitifully at Samuel.

　　Pain flickered in his eyes as he helped Emily to her feet, wiping her tears while shooting me a cold glare.

　　"Natalie, there are twenty-nine days left in the divorce cooling-off period. You know my temper; don't cause trouble. If things get ugly, you'll be the one embarrassed."

　　After Samuel took Emily away, Chris sat down beside me, ignoring the curious gazes of passersby.

　　"Natalie, are you all right?"

　　I could handle everything on my own.

　　But as soon as I received someone else's concern, my eyes instantly turned red.

　　I looked at Chris, exhaustion evident in my gaze.

　　"Can I ask you for a favor?"

　　Before I could explain what it was, he eagerly agreed.

　　The next day, under Chris's care, I successfully underwent the abortion procedure.

　　As I was wheeled out of the operating room, I seemed to catch a glimpse of a familiar female figure flash by.

　　However, I was too weak to think further and quickly fell into a semi-conscious state.

　　After the surgery, Samuel didn't receive any calls from me.

　　Just as I had been clingy to him before, now I was completely quiet.

　　A week later, a drunken Samuel returned home with Emily.

　　He brought her into my dressing room, just as he was about to kiss her with a smile, he caught me changing clothes.

　　"Perfect timing," I said, moving my freshly curled black hair aside, revealing my smooth, fair back.

　　"Could you help me pull up my dress zipper?"

　　The air seemed to freeze for several seconds.

　　Samuel let go of Emily's hand and instinctively stepped forward to help me with the zipper.

　　Receiving my faintly smiling thanks, Samuel turned to Emily and gently said.

　　"Emily, I'm thirsty. Go get me a glass of water."

　　Emily shot me a resentful glance before obediently walking toward the living room.

　　With bright eyes and alluring red lips, while I was busy putting on earrings, he silently leaned in behind me.

　　With a swift motion, he trapped me between the dressing table and himself.

　　"Natalie, why are you dressed like this at night? Are you going to meet Chris? I didn't know he liked to wear shoes I've worn before."

　　Dressed like this?

　　Looking at the luxurious short skirt that highlighted my figure in the mirror, I began to doubt Samuel's taste for the first time.

　　I pushed against him but couldn't move him at all.

　　"Are you going to see Chris?"

　　After I shook my head, Samuel's mood seemed to improve somewhat.

　　Hearing Emily's footsteps approaching, he voluntarily released me.

　　Seeing this, I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

　　It felt like we were having an affair.

　　"Natalie, you look so beautiful. Are you going on a date? I didn't expect you to..."

　　Emily hesitated, her words trailing off.

　　Samuel clenched his jaw, as if he had more to say.

　　Fortunately, my phone rang just in time. With a faint smile, I answered the call while walking toward the front door.

　　Watching my lighthearted silhouette, Samuel followed me with a cold expression.

　　He watched as I got into a silver car and left without looking back.

　　That night, I didn't come home.

　　It wasn't until noon the next day that I hummed a tune as I opened the door to my house.

　　As soon as I walked in, I found a man sitting on the sofa, and I instinctively jumped in surprise.

　　It was Samuel.

　　He hadn't slept all night, and his white shirt was wrinkled and messy.

　　His dark eyes were filled with endless resentment as Samuel gritted his teeth and said to me.

　　"Natalie, I already know what you've done."