After finishing the interview upstairs, she was just stepping out of the elevator when she ran into Rebecca.

Rebecca had just emerged from the restroom. Spotting her, Rebecca froze for a moment.

"Sharon? What are you doing here?"

Feigning surprise, Rebecca said, "You didn't… you didn't know Andrew was here hosting the celebration for our baby, did you? And you came anyway?"

Sharon let out a cold laugh. "Is that so? Thanks for telling me."

"You didn't know?" Rebecca smirked, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Honestly, I didn't want to hide it from you. But Andrew said today was a special day. He didn't want you… ruining it. You know how much he cares about me and the baby."

"…"

Sharon stared at her coldly, saying nothing.

Emboldened, Rebecca pressed on. "Oh, you probably don't know this either. To give the baby a legal father, Andrew has decided to divorce you. Then he'll marry me. That way, my child can rightfully become his."

Sharon's eyes widened. She hadn't expected Andrew to sink to such depths—he'd already planned to divorce her and be with Rebecca all along.

Her fingers curled into tight fists at her sides. A sharp pang shot through her heart, so sudden she nearly staggered.

"Move."

She tried to leave, but Rebecca blocked her path.

"What's wrong? Can't handle it? If you can't stand it, then hurry up and sign those divorce papers!"

Out of the corner of her eye, Rebecca spotted Andrew emerging from the banquet hall, looking for her. With a deliberate cry, she collapsed to the floor.

"I'm sorry, Sharon! Please don't be angry! We really didn't mean to keep it from you! But today is my daughter's celebration… Can't you just… bear with it? Don't be mad. Don't make a scene?"

Sobbing, tears streaking her makeup, Sharon was about to say something when Andrew strode over.

"Sharon? What are you doing here?"

A flicker of panic crossed his face—afraid she'd discovered something.

"Andrew, Ms. Sharon found out about the celebration today. She's a bit upset. Don't blame her, Andrew. She's still young. It's normal for her to lash out."

After Rebecca's sniffling explanation, Andrew frowned and looked at Sharon. "Sharon, you know Rebecca's situation. I'm just helping out as the child's… uncle, hosting this little party. Go home first, okay? I'll come back to you as soon as I'm done here."

"Uncle? You're sure that's all?"

Sharon's laugh was icy. Just moments ago, he'd been teaching that child to call him 'Daddy.'

"Whatever it is, the child lost her father. It's tragic. From now on, I *am* her father. You're about to be a mother yourself. You should understand how terrible it is for a child to grow up without one. Don't make a scene here. Just go home."

Sharon lifted her gaze, her expression blank as she looked at him.

When had the man who was once so gentle and attentive to her become… this?

"Andrew, if I said you had to choose—between the child in my belly and Rebecca's child—who would you pick?"

"Don't be childish, Sharon." Andrew took a deep breath, softening his tone. "Go home first. I'll bring you a gift tonight, how about that?"

"Yeah, stop causing trouble," one of his friends chimed in, having gathered at the commotion. "With so many people here today, you don't want to embarrass Andrew, do you?"

"Sharon, you're just not as understanding and obedient as Rebecca is. That's why we had to keep this from you."

His whole group of friends had come out now, all pointing fingers at her.

She knew nothing she said would make them believe her. She didn't bother explaining.

"Andrew, remember this. I gave you a chance. You're the one who didn't know how to cherish it."

With that, she turned and walked away without a backward glance.

Watching her retreating figure, Andrew's friends exchanged looks.

"What did she mean by that? She's not actually planning to divorce Andrew, is she?"

"Good riddance if she does. Then Andrew can finally marry Rebecca like he wants. I'm just afraid it's an act—playing hard to get."

"Exactly. Just a mind game. Don't worry about it, Andrew."

"Worry? Why would I worry? She's acting like a child." Andrew pulled his gaze away from where Sharon had disappeared. "It's fine. I'll smooth things over when I go home tonight."

Sharon returned to an empty house and started with the garbage.

Anything that reminded her of Andrew went straight into the trash.

Now that she had decided to leave, every trace of their shared past deserved to be discarded.

As she carried a heap of things downstairs, she saw Andrew’s car pull up. He hurried around to the passenger side to help Rebecca out.

Gently, he took the baby from Rebecca’s arms. “Tired? She’s been fussy all day. We’ll deal with the luggage tomorrow—the house has everything we need for now.”

Though his words held a hint of complaint, the smile never left his face.

Just then, a neighbor passed by, spotted Andrew, and offered a polite greeting.

“Oh, Mr. Andrew, you’re back? And Mrs. Andrew has already had the baby?”

Andrew slipped an arm around Rebecca and tilted the baby toward the neighbor.

“That’s right. Look at my daughter—adorable, isn’t she?”

“Absolutely adorable.”

Watching Andrew’s easy, unhesitating manner, Sharon froze where she stood.

It had been so long since she’d gone out with him. Lately, Rebecca had been over more and more often.

Now even the neighbors assumed Rebecca was Mrs. Andrew.

“Sharon?”

Andrew noticed her not far away and quickly approached. “It’s windy out. You’re pregnant—you should have waited inside.”

Sharon stared back, her expression blank. “When the neighbor called Rebecca ‘Mrs. Andrew,’ why didn’t you correct them?”

Andrew’s patience thinned. “It’s just a title. What matters is that Rebecca and I have a completely proper relationship. Isn’t that enough?”

Rebecca chimed in softly, “That’s right, Sharon. Andrew just didn’t want to embarrass me by making a scene. Please don’t overthink it.”

Sharon’s grip tightened around the trash bag, emotions churning inside her.

Judging by Rebecca’s demeanor, she intended to move in.

To think even her final days here would be tainted like this.

“It’s so late, Rebecca. Shouldn’t you be heading home? What are you doing here?”

Andrew cut in, “Her lease is up. She’s staying with us until she finds a new place.”

Sharon almost laughed. “If she knew her lease was ending, why didn’t she look sooner?”

“Wah… wah…”

The baby in Andrew’s arms began to cry, and with it, the last of his patience vanished.

“Sharon, when did you become like this? Rebecca’s already having a hard time. Whether you like it or not, she’s staying here from now on. If you don’t like it, you can go stay somewhere else for a while and come back later.”

Noticing the bag in her hand, he added offhandedly, “What’s that you’re holding?”

“Nothing. Just trash.”

“From now on, I’ll handle the heavy chores. You’re pregnant—you need to be careful.”

With that, he carried the baby upstairs, Rebecca following close behind.

Watching him go, Sharon let out a cold laugh.

So he still remembered she was pregnant.

This child—he had begged her for it.

He said he loved children, that he wanted her to give him one.

He called it the fruit of their love, promised to cherish her and their child forever.

Yet in just a few short months, all that devotion had shifted to someone else.

Sharon tossed the trash into the bin, then rested a hand lightly on her slightly rounded abdomen.

“Sweetheart,” she whispered. “Shall Mommy take you away from here?”

Andrew spent the entire evening cleaning the spare bedroom for Rebecca, not returning to their own room until well past midnight.

Sharon was still awake.

The early stages of her pregnancy had been brutal. She hadn’t eaten anything all evening, yet the nausea wouldn’t relent, sending her rushing to the bathroom again and again.

Watching her retch, Andrew’s heart ached. He wrapped his arms around her. “You’re doing so well, sweetheart. Just a little longer—for me and for the baby.”

But the scent of baby formula, Rebecca’s scent, still clung to him. Sharon’s stomach heaved again, worse than before.

Afterward, lying in bed, her throat burned. “I need some water.”

She’d barely gotten the words out when his phone rang.

“Andrew, the baby won’t settle. I can’t sleep. Can you come help me?”

“Of course. I’ll be right there.”

Hanging up, he glanced back at Sharon. “Try to get some sleep. Rebecca’s baby is only a month old—it’s a fussy stage. I need to go help. I probably won’t be back tonight.”

The door slammed shut with a final *thud*. Sharon licked her parched lips, pushed herself up, and went to the kitchen for water.

It didn’t matter. She was leaving him soon anyway. She wouldn’t rely on him anymore.

As she left her room and passed the spare bedroom, a sliver of light from the doorframe froze her in place.

On the large bed, Rebecca slept on the left side, the baby in the middle, and Andrew on the right.

The baby was asleep. Andrew was leaning in, chatting softly with Rebecca. Their shared laughter, their easy intimacy—they looked like a family.

“Andrew, when are you going to talk to Sharon about the divorce? What if she refuses?”

“She won’t. Don’t worry, I promise I’ll give you and the baby a proper home.”

He kissed her forehead, his voice gentle. “Go to sleep.”

A sharp, stabbing pain pierced Sharon’s chest. She couldn’t even remember the last time Andrew had kissed her like that, the last time he’d soothed her to sleep.

She didn’t sleep a wink. By morning, she was up early, gathering the documents for her immigration appointment.

She was halfway through breakfast when Andrew came downstairs.

“Sharon, after you finish eating, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

She wiped the corner of her mouth. “What is it?”

“Let’s get a divorce.”

Five words. She’d known they were coming, but the speed still caught her off guard.

“Alright.” Her voice was calm as she carried her bowl and chopsticks to the sink. “Draw up the papers. I’ll sign them.”

“Don’t worry, it’s just for show. Once we establish paternity for Rebecca’s baby, we’ll remarry right away. Sharon, I love you. I love our baby, too.”

He came up behind her, his large hands settling on her still-flat stomach. Their child was in there. He would never truly abandon Sharon. He just couldn’t bear to leave Rebecca alone with a child, either.

Sharon nodded. “I understand. You’re worried about her being alone, worried about her child. I get it. It’s fine. Just get the paperwork to me as soon as you can.”

Her tone was flat, her eyes devoid of any ripple of emotion—not even a flicker of sorrow. Her calmness unsettled him.

“Sharon, you know Rebecca and Christopher never officially married. The baby needs a legal guardian; it’s bad for her future. The moment the registration is done, I’ll divorce Rebecca immediately. Please don’t overthink this.”

He kept explaining, unaware that Sharon’s disappointment in him had long since curdled into something cold and final.

She heated a glass of milk for herself and took a small sip. “Yes. I know.”

“You’re so understanding, Sharon.”

He leaned down, pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, then turned and hurried back upstairs.

Rebecca was waiting for him. “Well? Did she agree?”

“She did! She agreed! Rebecca, don’t worry, I’ll give our baby a home very soon.”

They embraced, elated, completely oblivious to Sharon standing at the foot of the stairs, a stack of immigration forms clenched in her hand.

She looked away, turned, and walked out the door.

*Andrew, if this is what you want, so be it.*