Chapter 3

"I'll remember this kindness for the rest of my life."

I truly saw her as a sister, frequently buying her gifts, clothes, and giving her bonuses.

The house she lived in now was mine.

Later, when I was on bed rest at home, I gave her the position of Executive Assistant to the CEO and granted her significant authority.

Men change when they have money, so she offered to help me keep an eye on Murphy.

But I never expected that this "keeping an eye" would lead to them in bed together.

Looking at these two people I once trusted so deeply, my heart felt like it was being fried in oil.

Norris smiled and handed me the flowers, then pulled a necklace from her bag. "This is a gift for you, just a little something. Don't think it's too cheap."

Seeing I was still unhappy, Norris added another line.

"Clark, don't be so paranoid.

I know—your pregnancy hormones must have dropped now, so you're having mood swings, right?

Everyone in this world might betray you, but I definitely won't."

Norris made her solemn promise, but I was lost in thought staring at those two gold bracelets.

I'd once seen the receipt for that necklace in Murphy's jacket pocket.

I thought it was a gift he'd prepared for me. Only now did I realize it was for Norris.

"That's enough. I've been putting up with you for days."

"For you and the baby, I've canceled so many work commitments. I've been here with you constantly, but I can't even get a pleasant look from you. And now you're going to keep making a scene?"

"It's just having a baby. Are you the only one allowed to be dramatic?"

Murphy frowned, his expression carrying a hint of impatience.

"Mr. Murphy, don't be like this."

"Clark is vulnerable right now. She needs understanding..."

Murphy didn't even let her finish before pulling Norris away.

"Understanding, understanding. Who's going to understand me?"

"Who are you pulling that face for! Norris, let's head back to the office!"

Bang! The door slammed shut.

My body jolted involuntarily, and I instinctively looked toward the baby in the crib.

In that instant, tears fell like broken pearls.

"Hello?"

"List that small two-bedroom in the downtown area for sale. Quick sale."

"Come by this afternoon. I'll send you the address."

The person on the other end kept agreeing, then asked tentatively, "Did something happen to you?"

"Nothing major. Don't worry."

On the other end of the line was a struggling student I'd been sponsoring, a recent college graduate.

I'd arranged for him to work at Murphy's and my company. No one knew about this except me.

Now, he was the only card I had left to play.

At the postpartum care center, there was a New Year's atmosphere.

In the room next door, a family of three was happily taking newborn photos.

Only my room was cold and empty.

The company had already gone on holiday. It was obvious where Murphy had gone after leaving the hospital.

I couldn't help but open Murphy's Instagram. It was completely empty.

Not a single photo about the baby.

Unwilling to give up, I opened Norris's Instagram.

A photo in the snow, location tagged as her hometown.

When I zoomed in, I could see Murphy holding his phone reflected in her eyes.

[Finally not alone this New Year.]

My eyes immediately burned with heat. The hand holding my phone kept shaking.

A fire seemed ready to burst from my chest. It hurt terribly.

Murphy and I had been together for ten years. Throughout those ten years, we supported each other.

From being so poor we could only squeeze into a 100-square-foot rental to owning our own company—I thought we'd weathered all storms and would never part.