Next Life, No Us

I used to think Theodore Foster and I were each others everything.

Twenty years as childhood sweethearts, seven years in a marriage forged through hardshipwe went from having nothing to building a fortune worth hundreds of billions together.

But I never imagined that after he made it big, I would be kicked out of the game by one cold divorce certificate.

My parents and my child all became sacrifices to this love.

So I let everything go and left the country to start over. But Theodore Foster, why are you crying?

Nancy Davis POV

When I pushed open the doors of the Civil Affairs Bureau, I was still thinking that maybe I was just overreacting.

The message from that unknown number was too absurdYou still dont know, do you? Your husband divorced you.

Theodore Foster and I had grown up together. We had been married for seven years. How could I not know what kind of person he was?

And yet, that ridiculous sentence kept echoing in my heart. I stood in front of the counter and hesitated for a long time before asking the clerk to check my marital status for me.

Hello. Could you please check my marital status?

The clerk looked up at me, her gaze a little strange. Then she tapped on the keyboard and paused for a few seconds.

Maam, you are currently divorced. The divorce was finalized a week ago.

My eyes flew wide. My legs went weak beneath me, and I had to grip the counter to steady myself. What that unknown number said was actually true? Theodore Foster had divorced me behind my back?

Unwilling to give up, I gave her his ID number and asked her to check.

Could you please check Theodore Fosters marital status as well? His ID number is xxxxxxxxx.

The clerk glanced at me, probably finding the name familiar. After all, Theodore Foster was considered a major figure in River City.

After typing a few times, the clerk gave a brief reply. Mr. Foster is married.

Married? To whom? The moment I heard that, I fell apart.

Im sorry, I cant tell you. That is a citizens personal privacy.

He divorced me, then married someone else. Who was it? When did it happen?

I walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, and a cold chill ran over me.

I took out my phone and sent three words to that unknown number: Who are you?

My hands were shaking so badly that it took me several tries to send it.

The other party did not reply.

I called Theodore Foster again. It rang for a long time, but no one answered.

For a moment, I felt completely lost, so I just kept walking down the road.

Ahead was a large banyan grove, the place where, when I was young, I had dreamed countless times of holding my wedding.

Without realizing it, I walked toward it. Theodore Foster and I had been married for seven years, but we had never had a wedding.

Back then, we had gotten married in a hurry. We had just started our business and were dirt poor.

Theodore Foster had wanted a wedding, but to save him money, I refused.

Later, when we had money, Theodore Foster became so busy he could barely split himself in two, and the wedding kept getting pushed back again and again.

I had drawn a wedding design, and it had always been kept in the drawer of his office desk. He had promised me he would hold it, but year after year, he never fulfilled that promise.

That banyan grove was especially lively today.

White and pale pink cascading flowers hung down everywhere, like smoke, like mist.

Warm golden sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, scattering bright specks across the moss-covered ground.

Crystal bead curtains swayed gently between the crowns of the trees.

Everything looked dreamlike.

But the scene was so familiar it made me unable to breathe.

Because this wedding design was exactly the same as the one I had made for my own wedding!

Who had used my design?

My gaze involuntarily turned toward the guests seated among the trees. Not far away, there were indeed a few figures I recognizedthey were Theodore Fosters friends.

So, one of Theodore Fosters friends was getting married and had used my wedding design?

Would Theodore Foster come today, then?

But he had clearly told me that he was on a business trip to Ocean City these two days.

Why did he lie to me?

My heart sank lower and lower, as if I had reached some dangerous edge, and one more step forward would be a bottomless abyss.

I hid behind a huge banyan tree, my eyes sweeping over the wedding venue as I searched for Theodore Foster.

Very soon, I saw the groom onstage.

The groom had his back to me. His suit was crisp, his posture tall and straight. The moment he turned around, all the blood in my body went cold.

It was Theodore Foster. It was Theodore Foster, who was supposed to be on a business trip in Ocean City. It was my husband, Theodore Foster, whom I had known for more than twenty years and been married to for seven!

Not only had Theodore Foster divorced me behind my back, he had also used my design to hold a wedding with someone else!

My heart instantly sank to the very bottom of the abyss, and all the blood in my body seemed to stop flowing.

I had imagined countless times what Theodore Foster would look like standing on a wedding stage in formalwear.

Today, I finally saw it. But he was someone elses groom.

Tears clouded my eyes. Anger and grievance surged over me all at once.

I saw the man onstage take out his phone, frown at the screen for a moment, and finally hang up the call.

When I called again, the man was completely unaware.

He had put his phone on silent.

It was as if my world had been muted too.

My thoughts drifted back to the past.

Theodore Foster and I were neighbors when we were little.

Theodore Fosters father died young, and his mother was addicted to gambling. When Theodore Foster was a child, no one took care of him.

It was my parents who brought him into our home, gave him clothes to wear, and made sure he had enough to eat.

The two of us grew up together.

In high school, we became each others first love and got into the same university.

I still remember the day we reported to campus. He hugged me excitedly and said he would only love me for the rest of his life.

After graduating from university, Theodore Foster started his business. He was so busy he neglected meals and ruined his stomach.

When my parents found out, their hearts ached for him, so they often cooked meals and delivered them to his company.

Once, my father got into a car accident on the way to deliver dinner to him.

Before my father passed away, to put the old mans heart at ease, Theodore Foster insisted on registering a marriage with me.

Right in front of me, he knelt by my fathers hospital bed and told my father not to worry. He said that as long as he was there, I would always be the happiest person in the world.

Because of that, I had always believed in Theodore Foster without question.

We were lovers, family, and the people who trusted each other most.

I thought Theodore Foster would love me for the rest of my life.

I never imagined his promise would only be valid for seven years.

The wedding officially began, and a burst of orchestral music pulled me back from my thoughts.

The bride walked over slowly in a luxurious haute couture wedding dress.

I knew her. She was Sophie Scott.

She was also the daughter of Scott Group, Theodore Fosters biggest business partner.

I tugged at the corners of my lips, forcing out an expression that looked half like a smile and half like a sob.

So it was her.

Ever since Theodore Foster began working with the Scotts two years ago, he had come home later and later and taken more and more business trips.

I had thought it was because of work, so I never asked.

I never imagined the two of them had already gone from business partners to life partners.

Not far away, the voices of Theodore Fosters friends drifted over:

Man, Sophie Scott and Theodore Foster really are a better match.

Exactly. One is a well-bred heiress, the other is a billionaire CEO. Theyre well-matched in status. Nancy Davis is just a housewife, after all. She isnt good enough for Mr. Foster.

Dont say that in front of Mr. Foster. Mr. Foster said Nancy Daviss family did him a great kindness, and Nancy Davis will always be the person closest and dearest to him.

I almost laughed out loud, but inside, I was drowning in grief.

What a wonderful closest and dearest person.

The person closest and dearest to me turned me from his lawful wife into the shameful other woman!

The wedding continued. The officiant was reading the vows.

I could not listen anymore. I turned around and dragged myself away.

Theodore Foster, since you betrayed me, I wont want you anymore either.

Nancy Davis POV

I didnt go home. I took a cab straight to the immigration agency.

I want to immigrate. The sooner, the better, I said.

The immigration agent said that with expedited processing, it could be done within a month. I nodded and left my documents there.

When I got home and pushed open the door, the maid immediately came up to me, her face full of worry. Mrs. Foster, where did you go? Mr. Foster has been looking for you like crazy. He called so many times and told you to call him back right away!

I took out my phone and saw dozens of missed calls. I called back, and he picked up after one ring.

Nancy! Where did you go? Why didnt you answer your phone? His voice was breathless, as if he truly had been anxious.

As I walked toward the walk-in closet, I answered, I went shopping. My phone was in my bag, so I didnt hear it.

Theodore Foster clearly let out a sigh of relief. From now on, keep your phone in your hand when you go out. Dont make me worry, okay?

After a pause, he said again, I was negotiating with a client earlier. My phone was on silent, so I missed your call. What did you need me for? Did you miss me?

I gave a soft mm-hmm.

Theodore Foster chuckled in satisfaction, and his tone softened too. I still have to be away on business for another two days. Ill definitely make it back for your mothers birthday.

How hard it must be for him. While honeymooning with his new wife, he still had to remember to celebrate the birthday of the mother of his ex-wife.

After hanging up, I walked into the walk-in closet.

Haute couture gowns, limited-edition handbags, and high-end jewelry filled the room.

I ran my hand over a Himalaya Birkin. He had bought it for me when his company earned its first ten million. Back then, he had held me and said he would never let me suffer again, that whatever other people had, I would have too.

Beside it was a one-of-a-kind haute couture gown. He had custom ordered it for me for his companys fifth anniversary annual gala. That day, standing onstage in front of everyone, he said, The most important person today is my wife.

In the jewelry cabinet, there was a necklace he had bought for eighty million at auction. On the day his company went public, he personally put it around my neck and said he wanted to make me a woman everyone envied.

He clasped it around my neck with his own hands. Nancy, I will make you a woman everyone envies.

Once, I thought these expensive things represented his love. Only now did I understand they were merely apology gifts for each time he failed to show up. He had spent a lot of money, but he had long since stopped spending any thought.

I called the butler over and told him to put everything away and contact an auction house. The butler froze and asked me, Everything?

I said yes. Everything. Not one piece left.

The butler did not ask anything else and turned to make the arrangements.

Two days later, Theodore Foster came back.

The moment he entered, he buried his face in my neck. Nancy, I missed you so much. Business trips are exhausting. Only when I hold you do I feel like Ive come back to life.

I couldnt control myself as I thought of the wedding, of Theodore Foster in his grooms suit, gazing at Sophie Scott with deep affection.

I forced back my tears and instinctively took a step back.

He didnt notice. From behind his back, he took out a dark-blue gift box and handed it to me.

Open it. I bought it especially for you.

I opened it and saw a diamond bracelet. I casually set it on the entryway console.

Lets go to bed early. Tomorrow we have to go to the hospital to see my mother.

He paused, probably sensing that my reaction was off. He looked at me a few times, but said nothing and nodded.

The next morning, I was drinking coffee when he came out of the bedroom, wearing the dark-gray suit I had matched for him the night before.

He walked up to me, lowered his head, and handed me his tie, asking me to tie it for him.

I stood up, straightened his collar, and tied his tie. Then I asked casually, When youre on business trips, who ties your tie for you?

I looked at him and smiled. His smile froze for an instant, panic flashing through his eyes before he quickly returned to normal. I can only do it myself. I can never get it right. Nancy still does it best.

I did not say anything else.

On the way to the hospital, his phone rang. In the reflection of the car window, I saw two words pop up on the screen: Sophie Scott. He glanced at me nervously. Seeing that I was looking out the window, he answered the call.

Nancy Davis POV

What? Okay, Ill be right there!

He hung up and turned to look at me, his expression anxious. Nancy, theres an urgent project at the company. I have to

I reminded him, Today is my mothers birthday. You promised.

He frowned impatiently. Nancy, this is urgent company business. Your mother will understand. Ill personally apologize to her next time.

I couldnt remember how many times he had used an excuse like this to abandon me.

I was too tired to argue. Let me out at the intersection ahead. Ill take a cab.

He let out a breath of relief. Apologize to your mother for me. Ill visit her another day.

No need. These past few years, my mothers illness has been thanks to you too. That was true. Ever since my mother developed severe heart disease, she had relied on imported specialty medication to get through each day. The treatment costs were enormous, and Theodore Foster had paid for all of them.

His tone softened. Without your parents, I wouldnt be where I am today. Taking care of your mother is what I should do.

I opened the car door and got out without hesitation.

I took a cab to the hospital alone. When I pushed open the ward door, my mother was sitting on the edge of the bed, slowly moving her legs.

Mom.

My mother looked up and smiled at me. Nancy, youre here?

She looked behind me. When she did not see Theodore Foster, disappointment flashed in her eyes, but she said, Theodore is busy with work, but you have to remind him to take care of his health. He may be young, but he isnt made of iron.

My throat tightened, and I swallowed it back with effort.

I sat down beside my mothers bed and hesitated for a long time before speaking.

Mom, Im going abroad in a while. I dont feel comfortable leaving you alone in the country. Will you come with me?

My mothers hand stilled.

She looked at me for a long while, her gaze gradually sharpening.

Nancy, tell me the truth. Is Theodore treating you badly?

The one person in the world you can never hide from is your own mother.

I lowered my head and said nothing.

My mother was silent for a moment, then reached out and held my hand. Nancy, you are the daughter your dad and I treasured most. Were not going to let you suffer. Wherever you go, Ill go. While I can still stand, Ill go with you.

I could not hold back anymore and threw myself into my mothers arms.

The two of us held each other and cried so hard we could not speak.

After leaving the ward, I wiped away my tears and immediately sent my mothers documents to the immigration agent.

Then I went to the payment office to pay my mothers medical fees for the month.

After paying, I was walking back when I passed the obstetrics and gynecology department, and my footsteps abruptly froze.

Theodore Foster and Sophie Scott were walking side by side in front of me.

One of Theodore Fosters arms was around Sophie Scotts waist, and the other was carefully protecting the area in front of her belly.

So this was the urgent project he had mentioned.

I lowered my head and refused to look at the perfect couple, but their conversation still reached my ears clearly.

Sophie Scott smiled brightly at Theodore Foster. Its only a little over three months. You dont have to be this nervous.

Theodore Foster frowned and corrected her. This is my son, the future heir of Foster Group. How could I not be nervous?

My steps suddenly faltered.

How familiar those words were.

Three years ago, when I was four months pregnant, Theodore Foster had supported me like this during my prenatal checkup too.

At the time, his hand had also protected my belly, and he had been extremely wary of everyone who came near me.

He had said to my stomach, This is my son, the future heir of Foster Group. No one is allowed to touch him.

But not long after he said those words, Theodore Fosters business rival deliberately staged a car accident to get revenge on him.

I was four months pregnant when the crash threw me out of the car.

The baby was gone.

The doctor told me my uterus had suffered severe damage, and my chances of getting pregnant again in the future were slim to none.

Afterward, Theodore Foster used swift and ruthless measures to send the perpetrator to prison.

He sat beside my hospital bed, his eyes red as he held my hand. Nancy, we wont have children anymore. Even without a child, the two of us are still a complete family.

I believed him.

I never imagined that in just three years, he would have a child with someone else, and a home with someone else.

So his devotion and tenderness were never reserved only for me.

I looked away and quickened my pace, brushing past them from behind.

Just then, the door to the obstetrics department was suddenly shoved open.

A woman with disheveled hair rushed out from inside.

She was gripping a fruit knife in her hand and screaming, You killed my baby! Ill kill you!

The woman charged straight toward Sophie Scott.

Sophie Scott screamed in terror.

Theodore Foster reacted extremely quickly. He grabbed Sophie Scott and pulled her back. At the same time, his other hand yanked backward hard, pulling me in front of Sophie Scott as a shield.

Everything happened in an instant.

Before I could react, I only felt a chill across my abdomen. Then, a burst of agony exploded through my lower belly.

I looked down and saw that the knife had already sunk into my lower abdomen. Blood gushed from the wound.

All the strength drained from my legs in an instant, and I collapsed to my knees.

In the last moment before I lost consciousness, I saw Theodore Foster holding the fainted Sophie Scott tightly in his arms, his face filled with panic and heartache.

He did not look my way even once.

I was overwhelmed by resentment until I sank completely into darkness.

Nancy Davis POV

When I woke again, I was in a hospital room.

A stranger sat by my bed, a caregiver in her fifties, her head lowered as she knitted a sweater.

Seeing my eyes open, the caregiver put down her work and hurried out to call the doctor.

The attending physician was a woman in her forties. After looking through my medical records, she spoke with anger barely held back in her voice.

Do you know how hard it was for you to conceive this baby? How could you come for a prenatal checkup alone? Well, now the child is gone, and it will be almost impossible for you to get pregnant again.

I froze.

I had been pregnant?

My hand moved on its own to cover my lower abdomen.

My abdomen was wrapped in gauze, flat and empty.

So, without my knowing, I had another child.

The child we had hoped for for so many years.

After that car accident, the doctors had determined that it would be nearly impossible for me to conceive again.

Theodore Foster and I had grieved over it for a long time.

I had even secretly gone to hospital after hospital, searching for treatment and medicine, swallowing countless bitter remedies and going through endless examinations.

I thought it would be impossible in this lifetime.

Perhaps heaven had taken pity on me after all, giving me this miracle when I was at my most desperate.

And yet this miracle had been destroyed by the childs own father, with his own hands, all to protect another woman.

My eyes burned until they ached. Every last bit of strength I had left went into clenching my fists.

My lower abdomen hurt. My heart hurt. Every inch of my body hurt.

I bit down hard on my lower lip, so hard that blood seeped from the corner of my mouth.

The female doctor looked at me and seemed unable to bear it. Her tone softened.

Youre still young. When you meet the wrong person, you have to cut your losses in time.

The caregiver beside her chimed in too.

Thats right. You were unconscious for a whole day, and not a single person from your family or his came by. No one even asked about you.

Look at Mr. Foster. Hes so busy, but he still accompanied his wife for her prenatal checkup.

Although this time, he accidentally ran into you and caused your injury, he had his assistant pay all your medical bills right away and even hired me to take care of you.

As she spoke, the caregiver took a business card from the drawer and placed it by my pillow.

His assistant told me that once youre discharged, you should contact him to discuss compensation afterward. I heard this Mr. Foster isnt short on money. Once you get the money, if you need to divorce, then divorce. Let go of that scumbag and start over on your own.

I stared at the ceiling without speaking.

Family?

What family did I have left?

My father had died in a car accident while delivering food to Theodore Foster.

My mother lay in a hospital room upstairs, relying on expensive medication to keep a heart that might stop at any moment beating.

My husband was with his new wife.

As for my mother-in-law, Fiona Foster...

Back when Theodore Foster was poor, Fiona Foster praised me whenever she saw me, saying I was capable and virtuous. She was so attentive it almost felt like she was trying to curry favor, terrified that I would look down on Theodore Foster for having no money and leave him.

Later, after Theodore Foster succeeded in his business, Fiona Fosters attitude toward me changed. She remained polite, but she became much colder.

After my miscarriage three years ago, when the doctor said Nancy Davis was almost impossible to get pregnant again, Fiona Foster changed her face completely.

Not only did she often make things difficult for me, she also blamed me openly and in private for cutting off the Foster family line.

Theodore Foster flew into a rage over it and forbade Fiona Foster from coming to our home again, completely separating me from my mother-in-law.

At this moment, what relatives did I have who could come to my side?

I lay alone on a hospital bed, saying goodbye to our unborn child.

Meanwhile, Theodore Foster and his darling wife were looking forward to the arrival of their child.

How ironic.

My phone lit up. It was a photo from that unfamiliar number.

In the photo, on a beach where the sea met the sky, Sophie Scott leaned in Theodore Fosters arms.

Theodore Foster held her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder.

The two of them smiled at the camera, sweet and perfectly in sync.

A line of text followed underneath:

[Your ex-husband is on his honeymoon. You can just lie in the hospital by yourself.]

Right after that, a message from Theodore Foster popped up on WhatsApp:

[Nancy, something urgent came up at the company. I need to go on a business trip for a week. Take good care of yourself. Ill bring you a gift when I come back. I love you.]

That was right. Newlywed bliss naturally meant a honeymoon.

Now I knew who that unfamiliar number belonged to.

It was Sophie Scott.

I looked at the messages the two of them had sent one after the other.

One showing off, one lying.

It was simply the funniest joke I had ever heard in my life.

I laughed and laughed, and then tears streamed down my face.

Over the next few days, Sophie Scott never tired of it. Every day, she sent me photos.

On the first day, it was Theodore Foster personally feeding Sophie Scott strawberries, his profile wearing a gentle smile.

Back in college, Theodore Foster had fed me strawberries like that too.

But in recent years, it had happened less and less.

On the second day, it was a photo of the two of them on a yacht.

Sophie Scott wore a bikini, and Theodore Foster held her from behind, intimate to the extreme.

On the third day, it was a photo of a diamond bracelet.

The caption read:

[He said this is a gift for the mother of our child.]

I touched my empty lower abdomen, my heart icy cold.

On the fourth day, the photo Sophie Scott sent made my hands tremble violently.

Messy bedsheets. A mans bare shoulders and back. A womans arm draped over him.

The caption read:

[He said youre like a dead fish. Boring as hell.]

I flipped my phone face down on the bed and closed my eyes.

Tears slid from the corners of my eyes into the pillow.

Thanks to Sophie Scott, these past few days, Nancy Daviss tears had barely stopped.

I did not want to let him affect my emotions anymore.

But we had more than twenty years of feelings between us. I could not control it.

Nancy Davis POV

A week later, I was discharged.

I took a cab home by myself.

When the maid saw me come in, she hurried over. Mrs. Foster, where have you been? Why do you look so pale?

I waved my hand and said nothing, heading straight upstairs back to the bedroom.

After resting at home for another three days, my complexion slowly improved.

But I did not want to stay in this house even one more day, so I called the immigration agent. When will my paperwork be ready?

Ms. Davis, we are already expediting the documents for you and your mother. Everything should be completed within three weeks.

Okay, I

What immigration? Whos immigrating? Theodore Foster pushed the door open and walked in, his expression tense.

My heart lurched. I quickly hung up the phone and set my phone down with a normal expression.

A friend of my mother asked me to help ask about it.

Seeing my calm expression, Theodore Foster finally relaxed his tense shoulders.

He reached out and pulled me into his arms. Let me hold you. I havent seen you in so many days. Youve lost weight.

He stroked my hair with heartache. Its all my fault. Im always on business trips. For the next few days, Im not going anywhere. Ill stay with Nancy properly.

Next time, lets go to Bali island, okay? I heard theres a restaurant on the sea cliffs there. The lobster is especially fresh, and the sunset is beautiful too.

I leaned in his arms, my whole body stiff.

In the photos Sophie Scott had sent, the place where they had gone for their honeymoon was Bali island.

The cliffside restaurant he mentioned was one he had just taken Sophie Scott to.

Listening to his lies, my heart felt as if it were being carved up.

How hard it must have been for him. After having fun honeymooning with his new wife, he still did not forget to share it with me, his ex-wife.

If you stay with me, what about your company?

What I did not ask was, what about your new wife? What about your unborn child?

Theodore Foster chuckled softly. How could the company be more important than Nancy? Nothing in the world can stop me from staying with my wife.

As he spoke, he took out a gift bag. Inside was a limited-edition Birkin.

Saw it on my business trip. Its for you. Do you like it?

I looked at that expensive bag and forced myself to squeeze out a smile.

I like it.

The next day, Theodore Foster took me to a lakeside French restaurant for dinner.

After we were seated, Theodore Foster expertly instructed the waiter, No truffle sauce with the foie gras. Medium-well steak with black pepper sauce. Crme br?le for dessert, no chocolate.

After the waiter noted it down and left, Theodore Foster skillfully replaced the ice water in front of me with warm water.

When the steak was served, he deftly cut it into small pieces for me and arranged them on my plate.

I lowered my head, not letting my tears fall.

He clearly still remembered every habit of how to love me. So why could his heart drift to someone else?

Mr. Foster, what a coincidence. A bright female voice interrupted us.

Sophie Scott walked over in an haute couture dress, poised and graceful.

Theodore Foster frowned, his expression displeased. Ms. Scott. What a coincidence.

A flash of disappointment crossed Sophie Scotts face, but she quickly hid it and smiled at me.

Thats right. The client Im waiting for just wont show, and I dont want to eat alone. Mrs. Foster, would you mind sharing a table?

Before I could answer, she had already pulled out a chair on her own and sat down.

Theodore Foster looked at me nervously.

My expression remained calm as I lowered my head and took a sip of water.

Seeing that I had no reaction, Theodore Foster did not say anything more. He waved the waiter over to add more dishes.

He flipped through the menu and ordered several more.

Listening to the dishes he named, Sophie Scott laughed softly. Mr. Foster still remembers what I like to eat.

Theodore Fosters hand paused mid-order. He immediately looked at me guiltily and explained, Ms. Scott and I often have working meals together. After enough time, I just remembered. Nancy, dont overthink it.

I pulled my lips into an ugly smile and lowered my head, eating now and then without interest.

He remembered my dietary restrictions, and he also remembered Sophie Scotts preferences. He remembered both of our tastes perfectly.

What a deeply devoted man he was.

During the meal, Theodore Foster went to the hallway to take a call.

As soon as he left, the smile on Sophie Scotts face turned cold.

She put down her knife and fork, looking at me with a half-smile.

Nancy Davis, Theodore already got married to me. I didnt expect youd be willing to be the other woman and still refuse to leave.

I lifted my eyes and met her gaze.

Ms. Scott, you were the other woman who just managed to climb into position, and now youre here mocking someone else as the other woman? If you could control your man, you wouldnt have shown up here today.

Sophie Scotts smile stiffened on her face.

I gave a cold snort. The trash I dont want anymore, youre welcome to pick up yourself. But why do I feel like he wasnt very happy to see you just now?

Sophie Scott had always been proud and arrogant. These were the words she could least bear to hear.

Her face flushed bright red. She abruptly stood, grabbed my arm, and yanked me up. Today Ill let you see exactly who he likes!

She pulled me so hard that I staggered to my feet. Before I could react, Sophie Scott had already dragged me with force and jumped into the lake outside the terrace.

Nancy Davis POV

The instant I fell into the lake, all the blood in my body seemed to freeze.

When I was a child, I had fallen into a river. Water had flooded my mouth and nose, and I had nearly drowned.

Ever since then, I had been afraid of water. I had never learned to swim.

Theodore Foster knew that.

The icy lake water surged into my ears, my nasal cavity, my throat.

I struggled desperately, but my limbs would not obey, as if they had been tied down. My body sank like a stone.

Terror pressed down on me from every direction.

Hearing the commotion, Theodore Foster rushed to the lakeside. When he saw me in the water, his face changed drastically. Without hesitation, he jumped in and swam toward me.

Through the water, I vaguely saw his figure approaching.

On the other side, Sophie Scott screamed, The baby! My stomach

Theodore Fosters movements came to a sudden halt.

I saw struggle and pain flash across his face. I saw him clench his jaw. In the end, he changed direction and swam toward Sophie Scott.

He chose Sophie Scott.

I watched helplessly as Theodore Foster got farther and farther away from me. My throat felt as if someone had grabbed it, and I could not make a sound.

The lake water closed over my head. I gave up struggling and slowly closed my eyes.

When I opened my eyes again, it was the familiar hospital room once more.

Theodore Foster sat in the chair by my bed. I did not know how long he had been keeping watch. His eyes were bloodshot.

Seeing me wake up, he immediately knelt in front of my bed and gripped my hands tightly in both of his.

Im sorry, Nancy. I mistook her for you. The water was too murky at the time. I couldnt see clearly. I didnt do it on purpose. Im sorry...

I closed my eyes and no longer looked at him.

Even now, he was still lying.

He had chosen Sophie Scott, then run to me and pretended to be hopelessly devoted.

He dared to do it, but not to admit it.

I did not want to hear his lies anymore.

Theodore Foster kept apologizing, repeating Im sorry over and over.

I interrupted him. Im hungry.

Okay. Okay, Ill go buy food right now.

Theodore Foster hurriedly stood and almost ran out of the hospital room.

The room was finally quiet.

But it was not quiet for long before the door was pushed open again.

Sophie Scott walked in holding a bouquet of lilies.

Seeing that Theodore Foster was not there, her dignified bearing became haughty and condescending.

The last trace of disguise vanished from her face, revealing unconcealed malice.

Nancy Davis, you saw it, didnt you? He chose me. Why arent you getting lost already?

I turned my head away and did not look at her.

Seeing that I had no reaction, Sophie Scott immediately became dissatisfied.

She toyed with her long fingernails, her tone casual. Let me tell you the truth. That crazy woman in the obstetrics department? I arranged it.

She stared at me viciously. Originally, I wanted her to stab you to death. Who knew youd be so lucky and survive? But it wasnt a total waste. She stabbed that little bastard in your belly to death. Thats not bad either.

My mind exploded with a boom. In an instant, all the blood in my body rushed to my head, and my ears rang.

I abruptly raised my hand and slapped Sophie Scott hard across the face.

Bastard!

Sophie Scotts face was knocked to the side, and a red mark quickly rose on her cheek.

But instead of getting angry, she smiled, using the gentlest tone to say the most vicious words. Your child was the bastard. A little bastard who didnt have the life to survive.

The string of my reason snapped. I raised my hand to slap her again.

Enough, Nancy Davis! Theodore Foster seized my wrist hard.

The takeout boxes he had just bought fell to the floor, soup splashing everywhere.

He forcefully shoved me toward the head of the bed. The back of my head hit the bedrail, and pain blackened my vision.

Theodore Foster did not spare me a glance. He hurriedly supported Sophie Scott, his eyes anxiously scanning her up and down.

Are you hurt? What are you doing here?

With reddened eyes, Sophie Scott shook her head, looking wronged yet magnanimous.

I only felt sorry about what happened before and wanted to come see Ms. Davis. I didnt expect Ms. Davis to be angry because you saved me first. Im sorry, Ms. Davis. Its my fault.

Theodore Foster turned to me with a dark expression, his voice ice-cold.

Nancy, how could you hit someone? Do you know Sophie is still pregnant?

I leaned against the head of the bed, the back of my head still throbbing faintly, but I laughed coldly.

How do you know shes pregnant? Is the child yours?

You!

Theodore Fosters face turned blue, then white. His lips moved several times, as if he had been exposed in public. Anger and guilt surged up at the same time, making his expression look utterly ugly.

Through gritted teeth, he forced out a few words. Youre completely unreasonable!

After saying that, he bent down, picked Sophie Scott up in his arms, and stormed out without looking back.

The hospital room door slammed shut with a dull bang.

I looked at his fleeing back, then at the mess all over the floor.

Slowly, I raised my hand and touched my chest.

It was already numb there. I could not feel the pain anymore.

I wiped the corners of my eyes again. At last, no tears came out.

That was fine too.

I had given up on Theodore Foster completely. I no longer loved him.