Chapter 3

Natalie POV

Adrian returned three days later.

Not only did he return, he brought Sophie back to our New York townhouse.

I was sitting on the living room carpet sorting through discarded hormone medication boxes when the door opened. A wave of Sophie's signature cold cedarwood perfume aggressively invaded my nostrils.

"Nat, I'm home."

Adrian's voice carried exhaustion. He strode over, habitually moving to kiss my forehead.

I turned my head away, dodging.

Adrian's movement froze mid-air, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. He glanced at the medication boxes scattered across the floor, his tone taking on a hint of impatience. "Didn't I say the transfer was postponed? What are you throwing a tantrum about now?"

"Throwing a tantrum?" I looked up at him.

The man before me was still handsome, though his eyes now held an edge of irritation toward me. Behind him, Sophie sat in a wheelchair, face pale and pitiable.

"Adrian, am I disturbing you two?" Sophie bit her lower lip, her voice light as a feather. "Maybe I should stay at a hotel instead. Natalie doesn't seem to welcome me."

"Your leg's injured, there's no need for a hotel." Adrian immediately turned, his tone gentle in a way completely different from moments ago. "The doctor said you need rest. This environment is best for you."

Then he turned to look at me, his tone nearly commanding. "Nat, Sophie got injured saving me in Switzerland. She has severe high-altitude sickness aftereffects and needs to stay in the room with the best ventilation. Clear out the second-floor master bedroom and move to the guest room for a few days."

I looked at him in disbelief.

The second-floor master bedroom was the one Adrian personally designed when we got married. It had an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows and an indoor climbing wall he'd built for me himself.

He once pressed me against that wall, kissing my earlobe as he said. "Nat, this is our absolute domain. No one can set foot here."

Now, he wanted me to give it up to Sophie.

"What if I refuse?" My voice was soft but carried the finality of death.

Adrian's expression darkened. "Natalie, since when did you become so unreasonable? Sophie got injured because of me. She's a patient! Can you stop taking out whatever grievances you suffered at the hospital on her?"

Whatever grievances.

I felt my heart being sawed back and forth with a dull knife.

The torture of ninety-nine injections, countless days and nights of hope, my last chance to become a mother. In his eyes, just "whatever grievances."

"Adrian, have you forgotten that three days ago was my last embryo transfer appointment?" I stared at him, eyes red. "Do you know that because you didn't show up, that embryo has been destroyed?"

Adrian froze, a flash of panic in his eyes, quickly masked by irritation.

"If it's destroyed, it's destroyed. We can just do it again later." He tugged at his tie, his tone matter-of-fact. "I'm standing right here in front of you, aren't I? Lost embryos can be replaced. If Sophie had fallen off that cliff, she'd be dead!"

I found it utterly absurd.

Do it again later?

Did he think this was grocery shopping? Did he know how severely my ovaries had deteriorated from excessive stimulation?

"Adrian, don't blame Natalie." Sophie timely grabbed Adrian's sleeve, tears uncontrollably falling. "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come back. I understand she wanting a child to secure her position, especially since... since your condition is special."

That sentence precisely hit Adrian's sorest spot.

Azoospermia was the greatest shame of his life.

Adrian's gaze instantly turned ice cold. Looking at me, he spoke with cruel words. "Natalie, must you push me at a time like this? Do you want a child because you love me, or are you afraid I'll leave you if I don't have children, so you're desperate to create leverage to bind me?"

I felt thunderstruck.

Looking at this man I'd loved for five years, I only felt he'd become terrifyingly unfamiliar.

I'd swallowed all my pain to protect his dignity, only to receive such vicious suspicions in return.

"Fine, I'll move out of the master bedroom." I closed my eyes, swallowing the taste of blood in my throat. "Adrian, don't you dare regret this."