After getting back from Vicky's, Scarlett then made an appointment at a hospital on the outskirts to get an abortion.

There were too many influential people in the Davidson family, who had contacts everywhere. If she had made an abortion appointment in Zittoria, Joachim would have already learned of it before she was even wheeled into the operating room.

Just before entering the operating room, Katrina sent her a video again on her phone.

The video was two and a half hours long. In the video, Katrina was dressed in skimpy lingerie, Joachim was dressed in his impeccable formal suit, and there were plenty of toys and lube on the table nearby.

They did it repeatedly, in the kitchen, on the desk, and even in the hallway, making sure that every corner of the room did not go unbaptized with their filth.

Scarlett had never seen Joachim act the way he did in the video. He was wild and borderline deranged as he did it with Katrina.

Every scene in the video only made Scarlett's heart shatter over and over again. However, she couldn't stop herself from watching every minute of the torture, like she was some sort of masochist.

"Miss, it's time for your operation now. But are you sure that you're in the right state for it?" the doctor asked with concern.

It was only then that Scarlett realized she was crying and shaking all over. Her face was completely wet with tears.

She wasn't crying just out of sadness. It was also because she realized that she couldn't love Joachim any less, even though he was cheating on her. She just couldn't get rid of her love for him.

He was a living, breathing human, after all—not just a garment of clothing that could be thrown aside just because she didn't like it anymore. And ridding Joachim from her heart was akin to cutting her chest open and tearing out her heart before ripping it to shreds.

Scarlett wiped her tears away with the back of her hand and decided to give Joachim one last chance.

She called him on his phone. "Where are you now? I miss you. Can you please come home?"

Joachim's voice was tight, as if he was desperately holding something back. "Lettie, I'm working on something important at the office. Tonight—ah!"

He let out a low moan. Then, he suddenly started talking a whole lot faster. "I'm not coming back tonight!"

After that, he hung up on her.

Scarlett was stunned as tears began gushing from her eyes. Joachim had never, ever hung up on her first. This was the first time it's ever happened to her.

A few minutes later, she closed her eyes and took a huge breath. "I'm fine, Doctor. Let's get on with the operation."

Late that night, Scarlett dragged her exhausted body all the way back home. Just then, Vicky sent her a message. "Lettie, everything's set. We'll proceed in two days' time."

Scarlett plopped onto the bed. For the entirety of the night, she would fall into a fitful sleep, wake up in tears, and then fall back into another fitful sleep again.

Sometime after midnight, she sat up and hugged her knees close to her chest and stayed in that position until dawn.

The next morning, Joachim finally came home.

He took off his coat and waited for the cold to dissipate before walking over to Scarlett and hugging her. He then turned on his iPad and pointed at the map of an island.

"Lettie, look! I just bought this island. It's a gift for our baby. Also, I've already started work on building a theme park in every state in the country, and they will be named after our child.

"Once the baby is born, I'll throw a massive party over 100 days so that everybody in the country can celebrate together!"

It wasn't until he finished talking excitedly that he realized Scarlett had not said a single word to him since he stepped foot into the house.

Suddenly, he heard her sobbing quietly.

He quickly went over to Scarlett and realized that her entire face was covered in tears.

"What's the matter?"

Joachim had never seen Scarlett crying like this. He panicked so hard that even his voice sounded shaky.

If Scarlett got upset, it would make Joachim feel a hundred times worse. Every emotion Scarlett felt would be magnified in his heart. And now, as he watched the huge teardrops stream down her face, Joachim's heart hurt so much. He felt as if his heart was being pulled in all directions.

"I'm fine," Scarlett said, avoiding his hand. "We're like this when we're pregnant. We'll just randomly feel like crying."

"Really?"

Joachim's shoulders relaxed. "I'll stay at home with you all day today, alright? What do you feel like eating? I'll go and make it."

"Don't bother. I'm going to a class reunion luncheon later. Then I'm going to visit my old lecturers. Just go ahead with your own plans for the day."

Scarlett then got up. She probably wouldn't be returning to the country after leaving this time. She would just see them for the last time and take it as her final goodbye.

Joachim didn't like the idea of her going out alone and insisted on tagging along.

When they entered the private dining room together, there was a soft bout of laughter from the people already inside.

"I told you that Joachim would come if Scarlett came. He's so afraid to lose her."

Joachim just smiled and went along with their endless teasing. Then, he gave out gifts to everyone present.

The people were shocked. "Oh, my god! This is the latest jewelry set from Greenwell Luxe, and it costs seven figures! You're always so generous with your gifts, Mr. Davidson. And we're so lucky all because of Scarlett!"

Scarlett used to have plenty of friends in college, and everyone present was good friends with her. Of course, Joachim didn't spare a cent, spoiling them and getting on their good side. The main reason was that seeing them happy made Scarlett happy, and that was all that mattered.

Everyone was secretly sighing about what a powerful force love could be, turning such a cold and aloof person like Joachim into a warm, smiling ray of sunshine everywhere he went.

"I'm so envious of you, Scarlett! Your hubby obviously loves you so much!"

Scarlett didn't smile happily like she used to when they said the same thing to her in the past. Instead, she just smiled very perfunctorily.

Just as everyone was enjoying themselves, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Katrina Greene appeared at the door, dressed head-to-toe in sparkling jewelry.

"Why didn't anyone tell me about this class reunion? Aren't we all from the same class?"

The air gradually turned thick with tension when Katrina showed herself.

However, she didn't seem to notice the shift in the mood and strutted over to sit down right in front of Scarlett. She grinned with her eyes as she scanned the room full of people still holding the gift Joachim gave them in their hands.

"Greenwell Luxe? That's a really famous brand. But it seems like nobody knows that I'm the one who founded this brand."

She founded it?

Everyone couldn't believe their ears. Katrina's family had been mercilessly bankrupted by Joachim years ago, and they couldn't even live normal lives in whichever country they wanted anymore. How was it possible that she would end up being the founder of this luxury brand?

"It's true that my family went through some tribulations, but I met my hubby after that, and two years ago, he invested tens of billions in me and used every connection he knew to build me one company after another.

"Oh, and this isn't the only brand, by the way. I've got 26 brands under my belt, all thanks to him."

While speaking, Katrina's gaze seemingly flitted over Joachim before she smirked at Scarlett with a challenging grin.

Scarlett couldn't breathe.

She recalled a time frame about two years ago when Joachim had been particularly busy. He had told her that his company was expanding overseas, which explained his extremely busy schedule.

As it turned out, he had simply been busy building companies for Katrina.

Scarlett felt a sharp pain in her heart that slowly bled into the rest of her chest. She couldn't help but press a hand to her heart.

"What's wrong, Lettie? Feeling uncomfortable anywhere?" Joachim asked, immediately getting up anxiously. "I'll get the doctor."

Katrina grinned coldly. "Why, Scarlett Meyer, can't you see how preciously Mr. Davidson is treating you? So, why do you still look like a zombie?"

The words had just left her mouth when Joachim's expression suddenly turned dark. He slapped her squarely in the cheek.

"If you don't shut your mouth and leave, I'll make sure you never, ever speak again!"

Katrina held a hand to her swollen cheek and huffed before leaving the private room in great dissatisfaction.

The tension lifted as soon as Katrina was gone. However, Scarlett's face was still as pale as a sheet.

Joachim held her hand worriedly. "Lettie, where does it hurt? The doctor's on his way."

Scarlett pushed him away. "I'm fine. I just want to use the toilet. Don't come with me."

As soon as she stepped out into the hallway, Katrina immediately blocked her way. She chuckled coldly again and said, "Do you really think you're still important to Joachim even though he hit me for you?

"Don't forget that I am the mother of his children. His heart is already drifting toward me. Wanna bet that he'd leave you and come to me the instant I tell him his kids are having a fever?"

When Scarlett finally went back to the private room, Joachim was looking particularly anxious. He went over to her and kissed her on the forehead.

"Lettie, something urgent came up at the company, and I need to go over there at once. I've already informed the manager here to put everything on my tab, though, so you can continue enjoying tonight with the rest of your friends."

Scarlett tugged on Joachim's sleeve tightly and said, "Didn't you say that you'd stay with me tonight? Can't you stay? Please?"

Joachim looked at the calm yet pleading look in her eyes and suddenly felt immensely flustered. He had a feeling that if he were to leave today, he would be losing something very important to him.

But Katrina had told him that his kids were sick. They were his flesh and blood. He had to go and see them.

In the end, Joachim carefully pried off Scarlett's fingers, one by one, and said, "Lettie, I promise that I'll come home tonight to be with you, alright?"

Scarlett inhaled deeply. As it turned out, Joachim's heart was really shifting away from her.

Half an hour later, Katrina sent her a video.

Scarlett knew what the video would be showing, and yet, she still tapped on the play button with shaky fingers.

Katrina was sobbing in the video, looking small and pitiful. "I can't live without being with you all the time. I only went to the classmate reunion because I missed you so much, but then you were being all lovey-dovey with Scarlett, and it made me so jealous!

"I only said those words because of how jealous I was. And then you hit me because of that!"

Joachim chuckled softly. It was obvious that he was enjoying this.

He then applied some salve to Katrina's cheek and said, "Alright, alright. If you keep crying, your mascara's going to melt all over your face. Just tell me anything you want, and I'll give it to you to make it up to you."

"Well… The kids are having their birthdays soon. I want that island you just bought as their birthday present."

Joachim frowned. "No way. That's something I'm planning to give Scarlett and her baby."

"Please, Joe?" Katrina pleaded. "Our babies and I really want that island. And you promised me anything I wanted!"

This time, Joachim finally agreed.

Katrina then glanced at the camera and grinned victoriously to provoke Scarlett.

She even sent a voice message afterward. "See? Even if he promised you something, he'll still give it to me as long as I ask him for it. You've already lost to me."

Scarlett gripped her phone and slid to the ground in a daze.

She recalled the past, when she got hurt during one of her part-time jobs. Joachim had helped her apply salve to her skin just like that too.

So, whatever Joachim did with her wasn't just exclusive to them. He'd do them with other women too.

At that moment, Scarlett suddenly felt thoroughly exhausted.

However, she believed that everything would get better once she left Joachim.

She was finally leaving him tomorrow.

Later that afternoon, Scarlett paid a visit to her old lecturer, Robin Olsen.

Just before leaving, Robin tugged her to the nearby chapel and told her that prayers that were made here were very often answered. Besides, the chapel gave out blessed amulets as well, and Robin wanted to get one for Scarlett.

When they arrived at the chapel, the priest Scarlett had never seen before suddenly called out her name in person quite accurately.

"Are you wondering why I know your full name?" the priest, Mike Cross, asked with a chuckle. "A year ago, someone named Joachim Davidson donated 80 million dollars to our chapel and seemed very earnest with his prayers.

"He got an amulet for you, for your health and safety, but he didn't bring it back with him. He just had us put your name on it and left it here so that we could bless you even more with our daily prayers and chanting."

Robin was overjoyed when he heard this. "Aww, look. Joe did so much to prove his love for you. I'm so happy to know that you're both still very loving in your relationship!"

Scarlett lowered her gaze. The warmth of the past was now mingling with the pain of betrayal in her heart, causing ripples in her heart that she'd long thought was dead.

"It was fate for you to visit us today. Since you're here now, you might as well bring the amulet back with you," Mike said.

Scarlett took the amulet from him. However, just as she was about to turn to leave, Mike called out to her again.

"Wait for a minute! Mr. Davidson also requested three other amulets at that time. You should also bring those back with you."

Scarlett accepted the three additional amulets. However, when she saw the names on them, she wanted nothing more in the world than to laugh out loud.

The three amulets bore Katrina's and her two children's names.

…

Joachim realized that Scarlett had gone to sleep alone after he came back home that night.

For the past few years, they had had a habit of waiting for the other to come home before going to sleep together, arm in arm.

However, this was the first time Scarlett did not wait up for him.

Joachim felt a sudden uneasy feeling in his chest. He hugged Scarlett and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"I missed you so much, Lettie. I know it's only been a few hours, but it felt like a few centuries to me. I'd never be able to live if you weren't by my side one day."

"Really?" Scarlett asked after a moment of hesitation.

"Oh, by the way, Lettie, there's something I need to talk to you about. It's about that island. So… I found it not good enough. But I bought another two more islands to make up for it! Is that okay?"

Scarlett closed her eyes and said, "Whatever you say."

Sensing the coldness and annoyance in her voice, Joachim felt even more uneasy. He asked carefully, "Lettie, did I do something to make you mad at me?"

"No. I'm just tired," she answered, taking a deep breath. "It's our wedding anniversary in a few days. I want to take the private jet out tomorrow afternoon to pick something up overseas. I bought something there, and I want to get it myself."

"But you're still pregnant. The flight can take more than half a day. It's too tiring for you. I'll make the trip instead."

Scarlett spoke in a slightly pleading voice, "No way. I want to go there myself."

Joachim felt his heart melt when he heard Scarlett softening her tone with him. He would probably hand over his soul on a silver platter if she asked for it in that voice.

"Okay. I'll do whatever you say."

The next morning, Joachim left after preparing breakfast. He told Scarlett that he had things to do at the office.

Scarlett started packing after he left.

She opened the closet door and took out every outfit that Joachim had personally tailored for her. She then destroyed them with a pair of scissors and threw them into the trash.

She then took all the jewelry Joachim had ever given her and gave them to their housekeepers.

Scarlett also had a total of 16 photo albums filled with photos and memories of her and Joachim. They had been saving the albums for three years and had agreed that they would keep them until they grew old together.

She threw them all into the fireplace.

Meanwhile, Joachim doubled back when he realized that he had left some important documents at home. That was when he caught sight of the photo albums in the fire.

He heard an explosion go off in his mind. Then, he lunged at the fire without further thought, reached in, and managed to retrieve just the last half of an album from being consumed by the fire.

"Lettie…"

Joachim turned to look at Scarlett. His voice was shaky. "Why did you burn them all?"

Scarlett smiled and said, "Nothing. I just thought that I looked really ugly in those photos and didn't want to keep them anymore."

She went over to him and tugged at his scorched hand. "We still have many years ahead of us. We can always capture new memories together. Why did you have to go and put your hand in the fire? Look at how badly you've hurt yourself. Get the doctor to have a proper look at the burn."

The flustered feeling in Joachim's chest gradually dissipated when he saw the genuine concern Scarlett had for him, which was showing in her eyes. He then pouted and said, "Lettie, can't you just blow and kiss the boo-boo away?"

If his subordinates at the office were to see him now, they would probably think that their usual stern and stoic-faced CEO was somehow possessed by a ghost.

"You're already an adult. Have you no shame?"

Scarlett then walked over to him, making sure to shield his view from the cut-up pieces of clothing in the trash can.

After retrieving his documents, Joachim kissed Scarlett on the forehead again. "I'm off to work now. I'll be back in the afternoon."

A short while after he left, Katrina sent Scarlett a new text message. "Come find your hubby at Grande Hotel. Get ready for a wonderful show!"

Scarlett remained silent. So, every time Joachim told her he was off to work, he was actually off to visit Katrina.

She knew very well that whatever she saw at the hotel would break her if she were to witness it, but she still chose to go.

As it turned out, it was the twins' birthday that day, and Joachim's parents and friends were all there to celebrate.

They were celebrating at the hotel with a huge ceremony. The waiters and waitresses on duty all addressed Katrina as "Mrs. Davidson", and Joachim never corrected them. He just exchanged glances with Katrina and smiled at her. His eyes were twinkling with warmth.

Joachim's parents were also smiling at Katrina in a way that Scarlett had never, ever seen before.

"If it weren't for Trina, I'd never be enjoying my life now like this," Amanda said. "Joachim, you're not allowed to make Trina sad, understand? You must always treat her well. Got it?"

Joachim smiled and nodded. "When have I ever mistreated her? I've given her everything Scarlett also has—designer clothing, jewelry sets, and all sorts of collectors' items. I always make sure to prepare two sets of everything!"

Scarlett initially thought that she would be able to accept whatever was thrown at her with a calm attitude, but when Joachim said that, she felt as though a bomb had gone off in her head. All the love she once had for him had been blown into smithereens, which cut deep into her heart. She was left with a bloody, gory aftermath.

So, everyone knew about this.

And, for a long time, what Scarlett always thought was exclusive to both of them was never the case after all.

Katrina had everything she had.

In fact, Katrina even had everything Scarlett never had.