Chapter 5

When I next awoke, I was lying in a hospital bed.

"You're finally awake." The doctor sighed, her gaze full of pity. "You suffered a severe hemorrhage from the miscarriage. If you had been a few minutes later, no one could have saved you."

I learned from the doctor that I had been found unconscious by one of the house staff bringing food the next day, barely clinging to life.

"Your family is absolutely out of line. How could they treat you like that? Especially your husband – he refused to answer his phone. When he gets here, I'm going to have a serious talk with him."

"Doctor," I interrupted her, my fingers clutching the bedsheet. "Don't tell him about the pregnancy."

He wouldn't believe me anyway.

Besides, Julian's heart wasn't with me anymore, and I didn't want any more ties to him.

The doctor hesitated, then finally shook her head and left.

Throughout my hospital stay, Julian never showed his face.

However, on Iris Thompson's Ins stories, he was everywhere.

The first day, a close-up of a bowl of chicken soup, with the caption: 【It's been ten years, and it's still my favorite taste.】

The second day, a photo of a man sleeping beside her bed, with the caption: 【Had nightmares again last night. Thankfully, I open my eyes and see you.】

I suddenly remembered that when *I* was sick, Julian always made chicken soup for me too.

When I had a fever and was feeling unwell, he would also stay by my bedside, clutching my hand tightly, never letting go.

Only now did I understand.

That tenderness was never truly for me.

He was merely loving someone else through me.

On the day I was discharged, Julian finally called.

"Something came up at the office. I've sent the driver to pick you up."

I asked no questions, made no hysterics, just a quiet, "Okay."

The moment the call ended, I gently stroked my flat stomach.

Julian Hayes was now just a name in my contacts, about to be deleted.

I no longer held any expectations for him.

…

I arrived home.

The moment I stepped inside, I saw Iris with a drawing board, freely painting all over the living room wall.

My wedding photos with Julian, our photo booth strips, were all thrown on the floor, smeared with colorful paints.

Seeing me, Iris smiled, "Mia's back?"

"I thought this wall was too messy, so I decided to redecorate. You don't mind, do you?"

I scanned the chaotic mess, then simply said, "Whatever."

This home was already dead to me.

From now on, I wouldn't be the mistress of this house.

Just then, Julian walked out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of sliced fruit.

Seeing me about to go upstairs, he blocked my way.

"Iris is trying to mend things, and this is your attitude?"