Chapter 2

Giana's POV

"Divorce? Miss Morgan, are you serious?"

The person on the other end was shocked.

"I remember you and Mr. Lancaster were the most compatible couple in our program back then. Later he left the aerospace field for his family business, and you gave up countless opportunities to stay by his side. Otherwise, with your abilities, you should have become chief aerospace engineer long ago. So many people envied your relationship. How could you..."

How could we be divorcing?

I gripped the phone, my fingers tightening slightly.

Yes, once upon a time, Peyton and I really were the envy of everyone.

We'd known each other since school, starting from heated arguments over a data model, then becoming lovers who were a perfect match.

From college to marriage, for all these years after our wedding, our relationship had been fulfilling and happy.

So when exactly did all of this start to change?

Probably from the moment I let her in.

Three years ago, I saw a news report about a girl named Summer from a remote area who ranked in the top three in the state but faced dropping out due to poverty.

In the photo, the girl's eyes were clear yet determined, just like my former self who would grasp at every opportunity to climb upward regardless of everything.

So I felt compassion and pulled Peyton into discussing sponsoring this girl.

Peyton initially thought it was troublesome, but couldn't resist my insistence and finally agreed.

We provided sponsorship in both our names, and when Summer started her freshman year, we brought her from the remote mountains to the bustling city and settled her in our home's guest room.

At first, Summer was timid and quiet, well-behaved and diligent in her studies with excellent grades, very grateful to us.

But somehow, after just a year, Summer became more and more dependent on Peyton.

Fixing computers, choosing courses, even forgetting an umbrella on rainy days, she would call Peyton for everything.

At first, Peyton found it annoying. He complained to me privately a few times, saying the girl didn't understand boundaries, and suggested renting her a place near campus so she could move out.

Back then, I didn't think it was a big deal. I even advised him to be more tolerant and patient.

Still, sponsoring Summer was my act of kindness, and I didn't want Summer's presence to affect his mood, so I went to look at apartments.

After I made all the arrangements and was preparing to find the right time to tell Summer,

Peyton changed his mind and said,

"Forget it, don't make her move. After all, we brought her out here. Making her move out now would make it seem like we don't want her around."

It was from that day that I vaguely felt something was wrong, yet couldn't pinpoint what.

By the time I finally understood what was wrong, it was too late.

When Summer didn't understand a problem, she went to Peyton.

When classmates bullied her, she went to Peyton.

When she had a fever or had nightmares, she still went to Peyton.

And Peyton went from initial impatience to gradually making caring for her a habit.

He would put down his work to pick her up from school, would answer her calls late at night, would stay by her bedside when she was sick. He even remembered Summer's menstrual cycle clearly.

Once, I went to school to visit Summer, only to learn that Summer's classmates all thought Peyton was Summer's boyfriend.

And Summer had never explained it once, tacitly accepting this relationship.

That day I went home and made a huge scene, forcing Summer to move out of their house.

I thought that by making Summer move out and cutting off contact, my marriage with Peyton still had a chance to be saved.

But I was wrong.

Not only did Peyton continue secretly sponsoring Summer behind my back, but he also had more opportunities to spend time alone with her outside.

After I found out, Peyton always said impatiently, "Since we brought her out here, we can't abandon her before she graduates."

"I just feel sorry for her, so I want to take care of her more. Wasn't it you who told me to be more patient and tolerant with her? How come now you're the one being so unreasonable and can't tolerate her?"

Only then did I belatedly realize what my moment of compassion had brought upon myself.

I tried every method to salvage my marriage with Peyton, but nothing could bring back his increasingly distant heart.

Whenever I confronted Summer, became hysterical, acted like a madwoman telling Summer to stay away from their lives, it always drew Peyton's disgust and displeasure.

In just two years, Peyton and I had countless arguments and countless fights because of Summer.

Even last month, because of Summer, I lost my five-month-old baby.

And Peyton dismissively said about it,

"Summer didn't do it on purpose. Giana, don't be mad at her. We can have another baby in the future."

My heart, riddled with holes, finally died completely and thoroughly in that moment.

He was no longer the Peyton I once knew.

"Miss Morgan, are you still listening?"

The person from the Aviation Bureau pulled my thoughts back.

"If you're having second thoughts, we can understand. After all, you and Mr. Lancaster loved each other so much..."

"I'm not having second thoughts."

I didn't wait for them to finish speaking before interrupting.

"Because I don't love him anymore."

Suddenly, Peyton pushed the door open.

"What did you just say? You don't love me anymore?"

He walked closer step by step, his eyes dark.

"Giana, say that again and see what happens!"