Before long, more people gathered around to watch. Everyone was starting to point their fingers at Irina and whispering among themselves.

Without a second thought, Mia stepped forward and slapped Uriah across the face.

She growled, "Uriah, have you lost your mind?"

Uriah had never been hit by anyone in his entire life. He glared at Irina with fury and hissed, "Impressive. You even dragged a pregnant woman here to make a scene with me. Irina, you're supposed to be a big-shot designer. Where are your manners?"

Mia was ready to hit Uriah again, but Irina stopped her. "Let's go, my ride is here."

Irina did not even glance at Uriah or the drama queen kneeling on the floor, pulling Mia toward the exit.

Uriah had never been ignored by Irina like this before, so he furiously grabbed her wrist and barked at her. "Stop right there and apologize to Sophie!"

When Irina did not respond, Uriah tightened his grip. "I told you to apologize to Sophie!"

The pain in her wrist was nothing compared to the pain in her heart. Irina took a deep breath and turned to look at Uriah.

She argued, "Why should I apologize? Did I say anything? Did I do anything? Also, is this your hospital? Are you the only one who's allowed to be here? Prof. Parker, what happened to your basic decency?"

Irina's eyes were ice-cold, as if she were looking at a complete stranger.

As Uriah stared at her, something inexplicably chilling crept into his heart, and his grip loosened.

Not wanting to waste any more time on Uriah, Irina pulled Mia along and headed for the hospital doors.

Noticing Uriah's uneasy expression, Sophie timidly tugged at his hand. "Uriah, did I cause trouble again?"

Uriah snapped back to reality and patted Sophie's hand reassuringly. "It's not your fault. I've just been neglecting her lately."

Yes, that was it. He had simply been too busy recently, and that was why Irina felt upset and made such a big deal out of things. Once he went home and coaxed her properly, everything would be fine. After all, she had always been the most understanding and easiest to talk to.

After giving himself this pep talk, Uriah pushed aside the fleeting unease in his heart and led Sophie into the elevator. That evening, he headed home, stopping on the way to buy Irina's favorite pink tulips.

When he opened the door, Irina was on the phone.

"Okay, once you have the agreement ready, just send it to me. Yeah, as soon as possible."

With that, Irina hung up.

"What agreement?" Uriah asked, trying to act like everything was normal, as if the argument at the hospital had never happened.

"It's just work stuff," Irina replied, not even looking at Uriah before turning to leave.

Uriah hurried forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Honey, I'm home."

In the past, Irina would have turned around, gently touched his face, and given him a kiss with a smile. At this point, though, he did not even want to speak to him.

She forcefully pushed away the arms wrapped around her and walked straight into the bedroom, then shut the door.

Uriah stood there in a daze, completely at a loss. He could not understand why Irina was still giving him the cold shoulder when he had already come home.

Over the past three days in the hospital, Irina had barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw scenes of Uriah defending Sophie and Beth.

Before long, Uriah, fresh from the shower, entered the bedroom. He lifted the covers and lay down beside her. His long arm wrapped around Irina's waist from behind, and his face nestled against the hollow of her neck.

"Irina, I know I've neglected you these past few months. You missed me, didn't you?"

As he spoke, Uriah moved to kiss her, and his hand under the covers started wandering.

Irina felt nothing but disgust, so she dodged the kiss and pushed his hand away with revulsion. "Don't touch me."

Uriah thought he had lowered himself enough, but he still could not understand what exactly Irina was so upset about.

He said, "Irina, what more do you want from me? I saw all those messages you sent Sophie. Yes, Sophie and I grew up together, but I only see her as a sister, so why do you have to imagine things so dirty between us?"

He continued, "Ms. White is like a mother to me. You lied about having an ectopic pregnancy, and I didn't get mad. You went to the hospital today to spy on me, and I could still forgive that, so can you stop being so unreasonable already?"

"I'm exhausted. You should just leave," Irina said flatly.

"You're telling me to leave?" Uriah could not believe it.

This was their home, so where was he supposed to go?

Before he could process it, the phone beside him rang. He composed himself and answered the call.

"Uriah, Mom's coughing up blood. Please, come quickly! I'm so scared."

Sophie's panicked voice came through the phone, and Uriah immediately got out of bed. He said, "Don't panic. I'll be right there."

Listening to the sound of Uriah hurriedly getting dressed and then leaving the apartment, Irina closed her eyes.

...

At the hospital, Uriah held Beth's hand, his face full of concern.

Beth opened her cloudy eyes and looked at Uriah pleadingly. "Uriah, the only thing I can't rest easy about is Sophie. I know this is an outrageous request, but I'm begging you... Could you marry Sophie and take care of her for the rest of her life?"

At those words, Uriah froze. He could take care of Sophie for life, but there was no way he could marry her. Besides, he had sworn that he would never abandon Irina.

Seeing Uriah's conflicted expression, Beth immediately started coughing violently. Blood once again soaked the tissue Uriah handed her.

Sophie cried as she tried to comfort Beth. "Mom, Uriah is already married. Please don't put him in such a difficult position."

"But you two are meant to be together. It's all my fault... I shouldn't have taken you abroad. It's all my fault..."

As Beth grew more agitated and struggled to breathe, Uriah stopped hesitating and tightly grasped Sophie's hand.

"Ms. White, I promise you that I'll marry Sophie. I'll take care of her for the rest of her life."

"Y-You have to swear... S-Swear on it..."

Somehow finding strength, she clutched Uriah's shirt tightly.

Uriah had no choice but to raise three fingers. "I swear I will marry Sophie. If I ever break this promise, may I die a terrible death."

Hearing this, a relieved smile appeared on Beth's gaunt face. "I don't have much time left. You have to have the wedding before I die."

Perhaps from talking too much, Beth soon fell unconscious again.

Outside the hospital, Uriah sat on a bench, smoking, something he rarely did.

Sophie came over with two cups of coffee and sat down beside him. "Uriah, I know Mom's request is outrageous, but she's dying, and I don't want her to leave with regrets.

"Don't worry, though. It'll be a fake marriage. I'll explain everything to Irina myself."

"There's no need for that. I'll tell her myself. She's understanding, and she won't be upset."

"Are you sure she won't be upset? But she..." Sophie trailed off hesitantly.

"What about her? Did she message you again?"

Before Sophie could answer, Uriah grabbed Sophie's phone and opened the chat app.

The text read, [Sophie, you witch. Why won't your mom just die already?]

Looking at that message, Uriah almost smashed the phone. He never imagined Irina could be this vicious, because she had never been like this before.

"Don't be angry, Uriah. Irina just loves you too much."

As Sophie cried pitifully, Uriah put out his cigarette and pulled her into his arms. "She's gone too far. I'll make sure she apologizes to you."

Sophie nodded with a choked sob, but in her eyes, hidden from Uriah's view, swirled a triumphant gleam of calculation.

The lawyer worked fast, and the divorce agreement was ready the next day.

Irina skimmed through it and was satisfied. She and Uriah did not have many assets to divide between them. The only property they shared was the house Uriah had bought before they got married, though Irina had paid for all the renovations.

From the design to the finishes and furnishings, Irina had been involved in every aspect of this penthouse. The money she had spent was no less than what the house itself had cost.

Irina had poured her heart and soul into creating their love nest, and every corner of this house reflected her hopes and dreams for their future together. That room she had prepared early for their future child was the masterpiece she was most proud of in her entire life.

Everything in this house was like a joke to Irina after everything that had happened.

Not wanting to dwell on painful memories any longer, Irina ended her medical leave and returned to work, planning to start the handover process while she was there. She was going to resign. She was done with this long-distance marriage and was ready to go back home to be near her parents.

In the parking garage below her office building, Irina had just parked her car when she saw the two people she least wanted to see.

Uriah looked utterly disappointed, while Sophie stood behind him with tears in her eyes.

He said, "Irina, I need you to sincerely apologize to Sophie. I know you didn't mean the things you said."

Aside from demanding an apology, Uriah also intended to discuss with Irina how to help Beth fulfill her final wish.

Meeting Uriah's accusing gaze, Irina smirked, finding it amusing. "Mr. Parker, what exactly did I say that was worth making this special trip to find me?"

"You are still denying it? Sophie, take out your phone," said Uriah.

Sophie shook her head pitifully. Then, she stepped forward and tightly grabbed Irina's arm. "Irina, you can say whatever you want about me; I don't care. But my mom doesn't have much time left, and she wants to see Uriah and me get married before she dies..."

"Wait." Irina flung Sophie's hand away and cut her off. "What exactly did I say to you? Make yourself clear."

"I..." Faced with Irina's questioning, Sophie immediately shrank back like a frightened animal and hid behind Uriah.

Seeing Sophie so distressed, Uriah stepped forward immediately. He barked, "Irina, that's enough! Sophie is being the bigger person here, and you're still pushing it?

"Wishing death on someone's mom, calling her a homewrecker and a witch... Irina, did all those years of education go to waste? Is this how your parents taught you?"

With a sharp crack, Irina used every ounce of her strength to slap Uriah across the face.

Uriah never expected Irina to actually hit him. For a moment, his eyes were filled with nothing but shock. "You hit me?"

Irina sneered. "Yes, I did. Did it hurt? That's right, I did call her a homewrecker and a witch. I do want her mom to die soon. So what? She's not my mother; I couldn't care less about her. She just asked me to step aside for the two of you. Sure. I'm free tomorrow. Let's settle this at the courthouse."

Without sparing Uriah another glance, Irina turned and walked away.

Uriah watched her slender figure retreat. Inexplicably, panic rose in his chest.

He wondered why Irina looked so completely indifferent and why she agreed so easily when she heard he was going to marry Sophie.

Was this really the Irina who used to smile at him and act sweet with him every day?

Sophie gently touched Uriah's cheek, her face full of concern. She whispered, "Uriah, Irina loves you so much. I'm sure she didn't mean to hit you. Everything she said was just said in anger. Once things cool down a bit, I'll find her to explain and apologize, and you two will definitely be able to work things out."

Sophie's voice was soothing, and it gradually helped Uriah's tense nerves relax.

Uriah nodded, fully agreeing with her. He believed that no matter what, Irina would never actually divorce him.