During dinner with Samuel Lloyd, Paulette Calvert noticed a loose thread on his jacket. She pulled it, and a damp lace thong slid out.

Before she could speak, Samuel raised an eyebrow and looked at her teasingly. "Go on, cry."

His tone was casual, as if this were completely normal.

Just then, a woman's giggle came from his phone on the table.

Soon, full-blown laughter filled the restaurant.

"Sorry... I just couldn't help it!"

The woman gasped between laughs.

"Is she actually crying?

"Mr. Lloyd, you're terrible! Of course, she'd cry when you say that! You cheated. You lose!"

Samuel's eyes crinkled with a smile, his voice warm and teasing. "Alright, you win. Think about what you want from me. We'll settle it at the office."

He ended the video call and turned to Paulette, who stood frozen.

"Relax, Reenie was just joking. She bet me you wouldn't cry this time."

He leaned in to examine her face.

Her eyes were just a little red, but dry.

A faint, approving smile crossed his lips. "Well, look at that. Red eyes, but no tears. I guess she won."

Paulette stared at him, her gaze steady.

They'd grown up together. He'd rushed her to the city hall right after graduation, claiming he couldn't risk losing her to someone else.

On their wedding day, she'd wept, trembling with joy.

He'd held her close, kissing her tears away. "My little crybaby," he'd whispered. "I promise this is the last time you'll ever cry for me."

But three years into their marriage, everything changed when Maureen Peterson became his secretary.

Paulette's tears had become a game for Samuel to flirt with Maureen.

Her pain became his entertainment.

In just six months, she'd found ninety-nine random lace panties in all sorts of styles.

Maureen's silent taunts were met with Samuel's silent permission.

Paulette's mouth twisted. She dropped the thong into the trash. "Samuel," she said, her voice calm. "I want a divorce."

His smile faltered. He said impatiently, "This again?"

He gave a short, dismissive laugh and stood, looking down at her.

"Sure. When?"

His tone was flippant, certain she was just bluffing.

"Now," Paulette said, her eyes hollow.

Samuel's expression hardened. He turned and walked out.

Paulette retrieved the documents, met him at the car, and they drove to the courthouse.

Before the clerk could speak, Samuel snatched a pen and scrawled his signature.

Watching Paulette sign her name with slow, deliberate strokes, he scoffed.

"Thirty days to think it over. It should be enough.

"Use the time to clear your head."

He took two steps, then paused.

"Don't forget to iron my gray suit. I need it for a client dinner tomorrow."

He spoke as if her demand were a mere tantrum.

The clerks exchanged pitying looks.

Paulette handed the signed papers back with a small, polite smile. "Thank you."

It was the ninety-ninth time she'd found another woman's underwear on him and the ninety-ninth time she'd asked for a divorce.

The first time she mentioned divorce, he was on an overseas business trip. He immediately spent more than twelve hours flying back, rushing to see her.

The billionaire CEO knelt before her, clutching her legs, begging her not to leave, and frantically explaining that the thong had nothing to do with him, that it was just Maureen's little joke.

He announced Maureen's dismissal on the spot.

The second time, he stood outside her parents' house all night in a raging storm. By morning, he was burning with fever, but refused to leave until Paulette's heart softened and she took him back. Only then did he allow himself to collapse and be rushed to the hospital.

Then came the third time and the fourth time...

With each repetition, his certainty grew. He believed she would never leave, and her threats were just leverage, a play for his attention.

His concern gradually eroded, shifting from panic to casual dismissiveness, until all that remained was impatience.

But she was done crying for him.

Samuel didn't come home after leaving the courthouse.

Ninety-nine rounds of this had made him an expert in the silent treatment.

There were no calls and no texts. Life proceeded as if their fight never happened.

He'd wait for her anger to fade, for her to talk herself back to him. Then he'd show up with flowers and a half-hearted "Don't be mad," and it would be over.

She'd once raged, sunk into depression, swallowed pills—nothing had reached him.

The old Paulette would have been a nervous wreck, waiting for his apology, for things to be right again.

Now she realized that just as he'd grown used to not apologizing, she'd grown used to not needing one.

When Samuel returned the next day for his suit, he held a bouquet.

His choice of flowers grew even more thoughtless. He used to bring her daisies, her favorite. Today, it was red roses—Maureen's favorite.

And this time, he'd brought Maureen with him.

She nudged him, winking.

He stepped forward, reluctance in his stance. "Alright, the joke went too far. I brought Reenie to apologize."

"Absolutely!" Maureen chimed in brightly. "Mrs. Lloyd, Mr. Lloyd was so upset at work all day because of your fight. It's my fault. I never should've made that silly bet.

"I'm sorry! Okay? Sorry, sorry, sorry! Are we good now?"

Maureen grinned at Paulette, mouthing an apology while mirth danced in her eyes—not a trace of remorse.

Together, they made Paulette feel unreasonable, as if any further protest would be childish.

Samuel thrust the bouquet toward her, his tone dismissive. "There. She apologized. I brought flowers. Don't push this. Be good and go withdraw the divorce petition tomorrow."

He still didn't believe she meant it.

Paulette looked at him, ignoring the offered roses. "I despise red roses," she said calmly.

When she was eighteen, she'd fallen into a rose bush, her skin studded with thorns.

He'd carefully pulled each of them out, his own eyes red, vowing he'd never send her roses.

Samuel's face tightened as the memory surfaced.

He didn't want to admit he was wrong. "They're just flowers," he said irritably. "Do we really need to argue about this?"

Paulette didn't argue. She turned back to a maid.

"I don't want any of this. Throw it all out."

She'd started packing yesterday after she returned from the courthouse.

A lifetime with Samuel meant a room full of his gifts.

Every gift held memories of all they'd been through together.

Now they just stood for what they'd become.

It became a pile of junk.

Samuel's eyes scanned the discarded heap, recognizing his presents.

His grip on the bouquet tightened. His voice turned to ice.

"Paulette," he said. "This is your last chance. Take the flowers. Let's end this. Yes or no?"

Paulette clenched her hands at her sides, the sting of her nails grounding her.

Her voice was calm as she refused him. "No."

Their eyes locked, a storm of emotion brewing in both gazes.

Samuel let out a cold, angry laugh, his eyes burning. "Paulette," he said, his voice indifferent. "I'm offering you a way out. You should take it.

"Stay up on your high horse too long, and you'll only embarrass yourself when you finally have to climb down."

He still believed, to his core, that this was just another tantrum.

Paulette was too tired to explain. "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Lloyd. But the fall looks too far. I'll stay where I am."

Samuel's pupils constricted. A cold smirk twisted his lips. "Fine. Don't regret it."

With that, he hurled the bouquet to the floor.

He ground the delicate blossoms under his heel and glanced at Maureen.

"You're coming with me to the gala tonight."

Maureen looked startled, then thrilled. She shot a triumphant look at Paulette. "Mr. Lloyd, is that appropriate?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" he said coldly. "I don't need certain people to live."

He strode upstairs to change.

The moment he was gone, Maureen let out a low laugh.

The innocent facade she wore around Samuel vanished, replaced by naked malice.

"Paulette, why put yourself through this? A cast-off wife throwing a tantrum is just pathetic. A man humors you once. You didn't seize the chance. Don't expect another."

Paulette regarded her calmly. "You seem to enjoy making bets."

Maureen smiled, thinking of their cruel little wagers. "Of course. And Mr. Lloyd enjoys them too. So? Were my panties sexy?"

Paulette gave a low, cold laugh.

"Maureen, let's make a bet, you and I.

"I bet that even after my divorce from Samuel, you will not be the next woman he marries."

Maureen had schemed and sent her ninety-nine pairs of lace panties.

Now that she was finally getting her divorce, it was only right to pay her back.

Maureen's smile vanished.

She glared at Paulette, nearly snarling. "Don't worry about me and Mr. Lloyd. You've already lost."

Her expression shifted suddenly. She stepped forward, grabbed Paulette's wrist, and slapped her own face with Paulette's hand.

The next moment, she collapsed dramatically to the floor.

Paulette stared in shock, just as Samuel's urgent voice rang out. "Reenie!"

Maureen clutched her cheek, tears in her eyes. "Mr. Lloyd, I was just trying to convince Mrs. Lloyd not to be angry with you. I must have said something wrong. She called me a busybody, slapped me ... and said she just wanted to see you beg for forgiveness."

Samuel's face darkened with fury.

He helped Maureen up and glared at Paulette. "Paulette, we'll see if I come begging for your forgiveness this time!"

He swept out of the house, carrying Maureen.

Paulette watched him go. The explanation died silently on her lips.

What was the point? He wouldn't believe her anyway.

A full week passed without Samuel. Paulette only saw him in Maureen's Instagram posts.

The first post showed a photo grid. Maureen, beaming, wore jewelry worth millions—a gift from Samuel—and a gown that matched his tuxedo.

The caption read, "Mr. Lloyd spoils me like a princess. He says I deserve the very best of everything."

The second post showed photos of a bruised and scraped hand. Paulette recognized it instantly as Samuel's.

The caption read, "Some jerk harassed me. He got so mad that he broke three of the guy's teeth and hurt his own hand. My poor CEO!"

And there was more...

Samuel, who hated shopping, spent a whole day with her at a Lloyd Group mall.

He, who never liked sweet drinks, waited three hours in line with her for a milkshake. They shared one cup.

He even took Maureen on his business trip overseas. The man who hated taking pictures posed for so many photos with her that they couldn't all fit in a single post.

Paulette stared at the posts, ultimately spending another night sleepless until dawn.

But this time, she didn't cry, rage, or confront Samuel.

She just opened her phone, selected all the photos of her and Samuel together, and deleted them.

Fifteen days passed.

Paulette had already separated all her assets according to the divorce agreement.

But the Calvert and Lloyd families had numerous joint ventures that needed sorting out.

Paulette gathered the documents and, for the first time since filing for divorce, called Samuel.

The phone rang and rang. No answer came.

After a moment's hesitation, she took the files and went to the Lloyd Group.

Maureen's desk outside Samuel's office was empty.

Paulette walked to his office and opened the door.

A flurry of frantic movement came from inside.

Samuel's head snapped up as she entered. His voice was strangely hoarse. "What are you doing here? I thought you were so set on divorce."

Paulette frowned slightly, catching a strange scent in the air.

She pushed the thought aside, walked to his desk, and placed the files before him.

"Since we're divorcing, we need to discuss the future of the Calvert-Lloyd joint ventures. You..."

A low groan cut her off. Samuel's breathing hitched sharply.

"Enough! Get out!"

His behavior was too strange. Paulette frowned, confused.

Before she could process it, a soft gasp came from under the desk.

A woman tumbled out at Paulette's feet, her hair disheveled, face flushed.

She scrambled up, hiding behind Samuel, and stammered, "Sorry, Mr. Lloyd... My... My leg fell asleep."

Connecting the strange sounds and his labored breathing, Paulette understood instantly.

Her face went pale. Tears welled and fell in an instant.

Panic flashed across Samuel's face. "Paula, I... It's not what..." he explained.

Maureen dropped to her knees before Paulette, waving her hands frantically.

"Mrs. Lloyd, please don't misunderstand! You've been ignoring Mr. Lloyd. I was just helping him relieve some stress. He didn't touch me, I swear!"

Paulette's face was deathly pale.

Her hands trembled violently, but she still raised them, wiping the tears from her face with determination.

"You don't owe me any explanations. We're getting divorced soon. Who he sleeps with is his business."

Samuel's face darkened instantly as he stared at her in disbelief.

Paulette's voice was slightly hoarse. "I've delivered the files. Look them over when you're finished."

Samuel clenched his fists, letting out a mocking snort, his expression sinister. "You're right. Why explain? You'll be my ex-wife soon. Who I fuck is none of your concern."

His gaze turned icy and detached.

"I'll review the files. The Calvert-Lloyd joint ventures will proceed as agreed. Once we're divorced, our families' business ties end."

Paulette nodded stiffly.

Samuel pulled Maureen up and wrapped an arm around her.

Noticing Paulette's pallor from the corner of his eye, he sneered, "What? Still here? Interested in the rest?"

Paulette snapped back to reality. Moving stiffly, she turned and left the suffocating office.

Just outside the door, she faintly heard Maureen's voice.

"Mr. Lloyd, she looks really angry. Maybe you should go calm her down. You've done it plenty of times. What's one more?"

Samuel's impatient scoff followed. "Calm her down? If I do it today, she'll just threaten divorce again tomorrow to control me. How am I supposed to live like that?"

Maureen's voice feigned concern. "Aren't you afraid she might actually go through with it?"

His tone was utterly confident. "She loves me too much to ever really leave. This is just her way of forcing me to apologize. I bet you she'll withdraw the application herself before it happens."

Outside the door, Paulette laughed through her tears.

She had loved him so completely that she lost herself.

Time and again, she forgave him, even as he and his mistress tested her limits and trampled her self-respect.

Paulette had clung to their beautiful past, dreaming things could return to how they were, only to realize it was all a pathetic act of self-deception.

Her love for him had long since vanished, worn away by the endless parade of lace panties.

"Samuel, this time, you're going to lose," she thought.

Paulette left the Lloyd Group in tears and returned home.

That evening, Samuel suddenly rushed back.

He looked anxious as he strode up to her, his expression severe. "Paulette, where is Reenie?"

Paulette frowned. "What does her whereabouts have to do with me?

Samuel pulled out his phone and played a voice message from Maureen.

Her voice was choked with sobs.

"Mr. Lloyd, I'm resigning. Mrs. Lloyd told me that if I didn't leave you, she'd make me pay.

"I can't offend someone of her status. I have to go. Please don't look for me."

Samuel looked down at Paulette, his eyes like ice. "You pretended not to care in the office, then went after Reenie behind my back?

"I never knew my wife was so manipulative, driving my secretary to resign!"

Heart aching unbearably, Paulette looked up at him. "Samuel, are you too stupid to see it, or is your bias so strong that you refuse to see this is just a staged performance to drive us apart?"

Emotions warred in Samuel's eyes. He started to speak, but his phone rang.

He answered, and his face changed. "I'm on my way."

Hanging up, he shot a cold glance at Paulette. "If anything happens to Reenie, you'll regret it."

Paulette watched his retreating figure, then collapsed onto the sofa in tears.

Her mind drifted back to the day Samuel became CEO of the Lloyd Group.

A female employee had made snide remarks about Paulette, angling for his attention.

Samuel overheard and fired her on the spot.

Paulette, worried about his reputation, had urged him not to be so rash.

He had held her then, laughing, saying he was hers and his company was hers.

Any employee she didn't like would be fired.

Later, he placed a photo of them together on his desk.

He said he wanted to see her first thing when he missed her, and let everyone know he was taken.

She remembered that photo frame—it broke its first year after Maureen started working, "accidentally" knocked over by her.

Now, a cute trinket Maureen bought him sat in its place.

Samuel returned before long, carrying a suitcase with Maureen trailing behind him.

She hid behind him, clutching his jacket, her cheek swollen, playing the terrified victim.

Samuel's cold gaze swept over Paulette. "Go ahead," he said to Maureen.

Paulette frowned, eyeing them warily. "What are you doing?"

Samuel's voice was icy. "You had her beaten. She's just paying you back."

Maureen spoke timidly. "Mrs. Lloyd, you sent your guys to attack me and threatened to make my life hell if I didn't leave.

"I told Mr. Lloyd I'm not leaving if I get to pay you back. I'll drop it after this."

Paulette stared at Samuel in disbelief. "I didn't! I never touched her!"

Samuel simply raised his hand and gestured.

Two bodyguards stepped forward, seizing Paulette by both arms.

Tears of fury welled in Paulette's reddening eyes. She struggled fiercely. "Samuel, are you insane? I said I didn't do it! Let me go!"

Ignoring her, Samuel led Maureen to stand before Paulette.

He looked down at Paulette, his expression cold.

"You should have thought about the consequences when you decided to hit her."

He glanced at Maureen.

"I told you I'd protect you. Don't be afraid. Do it."

Maureen shrank back against his chest, her eyes wide with feigned fear. "I... I can't..."

Paulette trembled all over. "Samuel... How could you..."

Samuel made an impatient sound. He then grabbed Maureen's hand and forcefully swung it, slapping Paulette across the face.

Smack!

Paulette's head snapped to the side.

Maureen's eyes instantly lit up. She looked at Samuel, biting her lip to hide a smile.

Samuel raised an eyebrow. "Scaredy-cat. Feel better now?"

Maureen giggled girlishly. "With you here, I'm not afraid!"

She immediately raised her hand and struck Paulette again.

Another smack came.

More followed.

A dozen more slaps landed on Paulette's face. Her fair skin was soon crisscrossed with red handprints.

Her hair was disheveled. Her cheeks, scratched by Maureen's nails, burned fiercely.

Tears falling on the swollen skin stung.

Finally, Maureen stopped, looked back at Samuel, and stuck out her tongue playfully. "That's enough. My hand hurts."

Samuel chuckled softly, took her hand, and blew on her palm.

When his gaze fell on Paulette, collapsed on the floor in disarray, a flicker of pain and something unreadable crossed his eyes.

But it was gone in an instant, replaced by coldness. "Paula, you can take your moods out on me, but you shouldn't take them out on her. This was your punishment for bullying her.

"It's over. You will not trouble Reenie again."

He released Maureen and stepped forward, intending to help Paulette up.

Paulette, trembling and sitting on the floor, her face streaked with tears, suddenly began to laugh—an utterly desolate sound that was unsettling to hear.

Samuel's heart ached. "Paula..."

Paulette jerked her head up, her eyes bloodshot as she glared at him.

The next moment, she slapped his helping hand away and lunged violently towards Maureen.

Paulette used all her strength, lunging at Maureen and tackling her to the floor by the throat.

Caught off guard, Maureen shrieked. "Mr. Lloyd! Help me!"

Paulette had one hand clamped around Maureen's neck while the other ruthlessly slapped her face.

Several smacks came.

Paulette's voice was icy with rage. "You said I hit you? Now I'll show you what that really looks like!

"You wanted to use me to prove your nerve? I'll use you to get some practice! Let's see if you're more thick-skinned than others?"

Rage burned in her chest. Her palms stung from the impact.

Maureen, being choked and struck, no longer needed to pretend to be pitiful. She looked genuinely wretched, sobbing and pleading for help between the blows.

Paulette moved with startling speed. By the time Samuel and the bodyguards reacted, she had already landed nearly twenty slaps.

"Paula! Have you lost your mind? Let her go this instant!"

Samuel rushed over, wrapped his arms around Paulette, and forcibly dragged her away.

Maureen lay crumpled on the floor, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, dark bruises already forming on her neck. She looked thoroughly beaten.

Once freed, Paulette shoved Samuel away with all her might, stumbling backward and landing hard on the floor herself.

Her hair was a wild mess, her eyes blazing with a frantic, tear-filled defiance. "Does it hurt to watch? Ready to protect your precious secretary again? How many slaps am I worth this time? Twenty? A hundred?"

Samuel could only stare, stunned into silence.

Maureen coughed and whimpered pathetically on the floor. "Mr. Lloyd, please help me..."

Samuel immediately forgot about Paulette. He hurried over, gathered Maureen into his arms, and carried her out of the room.

Maureen clung tightly to Samuel's neck, casting a look back at Paulette over his shoulder.

Her eyes were filled with pure, undiluted venom.

Paulette wiped the tears from her face with her hand and saw blood smeared on her palm. She realized she had cut her hand when she fell earlier.

Samuel, who once noticed the smallest scratch on her, didn't see it at all now.

Paulette pulled herself up, found the first aid kit, and began tending to her own wound.

As she applied the ointment, thoughts of Samuel's cold, merciless expression made fresh tears fall, streaking the medicine on her cheeks.

She couldn't hold it in any longer. She hugged her knees to her chest and wept bitterly.

Samuel never returned after taking Maureen away.

She was all alone in the enormous villa.

Paulette cried for what felt like hours before finally succumbing to a troubled sleep.

Deep in the night, the sound of her bedroom door being violently kicked open jolted her awake.

Samuel stood framed in the doorway, his face a mask of icy rage. He stormed to the bedside, looming over her.

His eyes were bloodshot, swirling with turbulent emotion.

Seeing the danger in his gaze, Paulette instinctively shrank back, her voice trembling. "Samuel, what do you want now?"

He stared down at her, his expression unreadable. "The doctors saved Reenie, but the psychological trauma was too much. She tried to kill herself in her hospital room."

Paulette's heart skipped a beat. Her face drained of all color.

But almost immediately, she doubted it. Suicide didn't seem like Maureen's style.

She remembered the hateful look Maureen had given her as she left.

Samuel's tone was laced with mockery. "Feeling scared now?"

Paulette dug her nails into her palms. "I didn't do anything wrong. She hit me first. If I had to do it all over again, I'd do the same thing!"

Samuel stared intently at her, then suddenly let out a harsh laugh.

The sound echoed unnervingly in the dark room, raising the hairs on Paulette's arms.

In the next instant, he pounced onto the bed, pinning her beneath his weight.

Paulette struggled in panic. "What are you doing? Get off me! Let me go..."

Samuel's hand held a knife.

His gaze was violent and cold. He toyed with the blade as he spoke in a low, measured voice. "Reenie was found in time, but she lost so much blood she's still in surgery...

"She tried to take her own life because of you, and you still claim you're innocent?

"Paulette, I told you, she's just a secretary! It was all just jokes! The one I love is you! When did you become so callous about someone's life?

"When did you turn into this cold, vicious person?

"You refuse to admit you're wrong? Then see how it feels to be cut!"

He viciously grabbed her wrist.

"This first cut is for her!"

He gripped the knife and sliced deeply into her arm.

"Aaaah!"

Paulette screamed in agony.

The man remained unmoved. He cut her again, deeper this time.

His eyes were wild. "This one is for bullying others just because you can! For your outrageous arrogance!"

Blood sprayed. Paulette trembled from the pain, crying out through her tears, "Samuel! I never targeted her! She provoked me every time! I didn't do anything! I never bullied her!

"It was all her performance! Let me go... Let me go!"

His only answer was a third, brutal cut.

"This one is for your sheer viciousness! For your stubborn refusal to admit your wrongs!"

Three deep gashes now marred her arm.

Blood bloomed across the bedsheets like grotesque flowers.

When Samuel finally released her, Paulette collapsed onto the bed, completely drained of strength.

"Samuel..."

She stared at him, dazed. The searing pain and blood loss made her head swim.

The intense emotional turmoil even caused a strange, cramping pain low in her abdomen.

If Samuel truly had no feelings for Maureen, how could her injury make him lose all control like this?

Tears fell automatically now. Her face grew paler with every drop of blood lost.

Her voice shook, hollow with despair. "Why... Why have you become such a man..."

Samuel was breathing heavily, almost panting. The mental image of Maureen, lying covered in blood in her hospital bed, had shattered his reason.

Now, seeing the utter hopelessness and emptiness in Paulette's eyes, he seemed to jolt back to reality.

The knife clattered from his hand onto the floor.

He took a step toward her. Paulette's eyes widened in pure terror.

A sharp pang of guilt struck Samuel's heart. He rushed forward, scooped Paulette into his arms, and ran from the room. "To the hospital! Now!"

Whether from blood loss or the shock of Samuel's cruelty, Paulette felt utterly cold, as if submerged in a world of ice.

She was rushed into surgery. Her vision darkened completely as she lost consciousness.

When she awoke, she was in a hospital room.

The cuts on her arm were neatly bandaged, but the throbbing pain remained.

Opening her eyes, she found Samuel watching her.

His eyes were webbed with red, suggesting he hadn't slept all night.

Seeing her awake, he stood up quickly, his expression shifting to concern. "Paula, you're awake! I'm so sorry... I was just so angry last night. I completely lost control. I never meant to hurt you like that.

"I'm sorry. I..."

He reached out a hand to touch her. Paulette flinched violently, a gasp escaping her. "Don't touch me!"

Samuel's hand froze in mid-air.

Paulette, her face ghostly pale, stared fixedly at him.

Hatred and tears warred in her eyes. She spoke slowly, enunciating each word with resolve. "Samuel, I regret ever knowing you.

"I will never ... ever ... forgive you for as long as I live.

"For every bit of pain you've inflicted on me, I will return to you a hundredfold."

Samuel felt his heart lurch violently. The utter despair in her gaze felt like a physical wound.

He started to speak, but a knock at the door interrupted him. A doctor entered, holding a file of papers.

"Mr. Lloyd, Ms. Calvert's test results are back. She's pregnant..."

At that exact moment, Samuel's phone rang loudly, drowning out the doctor's final words.

Samuel answered the phone without thinking.

Paulette faintly heard Maureen's voice from the receiver. "Mr. Lloyd, where are you? I woke up and you were gone... I'm so scared..."

"I'll be right there."

Samuel avoided meeting Paulette's eyes, speaking in a low voice. "I went too far this time. Just calm down. I'll come by to see you later."

With that, he turned and strode out of the room.

The doctor stared, perplexed, at the empty doorway, then turned back to Paulette. "Ms. Calvert, your test results confirm you're pregnant, approximately four weeks along. Given the significant blood loss and extreme emotional distress you've suffered, the pregnancy is currently unstable. I'm going to prescribe some medication to help support it."

Paulette finally understood the cause of the cramping pain she'd felt before fainting.

That had been her child's silent cry.

Why did the child she had longed for years have to come now?

She was destined to fail this child.

Tears streamed down her face. A pain more profound than any physical wound seized her heart.

Her gaze was fixed on the door through which Samuel had disappeared. Slowly, with absolute finality, she said, "No.

"I don't want this pregnancy. Please schedule an abortion for me. Today."

Since this was a hospital jointly operated by their families, the doctor complied with Paulette's request immediately.

Already weakened from blood loss, Paulette went deathly pale after the abortion.

She spent three days recovering in the hospital without a single visit from Samuel.

Meanwhile, Maureen flooded Instagram with posts—Samuel feeding her soup, peeling apples for her, even carrying her to appointments when she claimed she was too tired to walk.

When Paulette overheard nurses gossiping about how spoiled Maureen was by her boyfriend, she felt completely numb.

She waited quietly before the divorce ended.

The moment she received the notification, she got changed, checked herself out, and went straight to the courthouse.

The process was quick. Soon, she held the final divorce papers.

Returning to the villa one last time, Paulette collected her suitcase and went downstairs.

She stood at the villa's entrance, looking back at the home they'd shared for three years. Every memory with Samuel flashed through her mind.

All those moments, both beautiful and painful, had now faded. They dissolved into nothing, stirring nothing in her now.

Before driving away forever, she completed three final actions.

First, she emailed Samuel's mother a file containing evidence of Maureen's schemes and documentation of her being financially supported through college by older men.

She'd told Maureen that she wouldn't be his next wife.

Second, she placed the signed abortion consent form beside the divorce decree on the entryway console—impossible for Samuel to miss when he returned.

Third, she blocked and deleted all contacts connected to Samuel and Maureen from her phone.

Without looking back, she got in the car and drove away.

She thought, "Goodbye, Samuel.

"From today onward, we are strangers."