The Woman Who Never Looked Back

The anniversary cake on the wall hadnt even been cut when he pushed a divorce agreement toward me and said his first love was back, and he wanted me to spend her final six months with her.

When shes gone, well remarry.

I gripped that thin sheet of paper, my nails digging into my palm. Ethan Whitmore, what do you take me for?

He sneered. You were never supposed to be Mrs. Whitmore in the first place.

That night, I called him, curled up on the floor in pain as dark red blood spread beneath me.

Im bleeding please come back

He only gave a mocking laugh. Addicted to playing the victim now?

Then he hung up.

I signed the surgical consent form alone, staring at the pale white ceiling and thinking

So it turned out that even if I dug out my heart and held it in front of someone, in his eyes, it was nothing more than a clump of rotten mud blocking his path.

Later, when I stood at the United Nations podium, I heard he had gone mad, clutching an old sofa and calling my name.

But so what?

Mud belongs where it rots.

Sophia Bennett POV

The clock on the wall pointed to midnight.

My third wedding anniversary with Ethan Whitmore ended just like that, in a deathly silent wait.

The French dinner I had prepared with such care had long gone cold on the table, and the candles in the holders had burned out, leaving only a puddle of hardened wax.

At last, the front door made the soft beep of a fingerprint lock opening.

Ethan Whitmore walked in carrying the chill of early fall, and his well-tailored black suit still carried the faint scent of hospital disinfectant.

I didnt ask where he had been and simply stood up quietly, carrying the cold dishes into the kitchen. Youre back. Ill heat up the food.

No need. Ethans voice was low, with a trace of exhaustion.

He walked to the dining table, did not look at the dishes I had prepared so carefully, and instead took a thin document from his briefcase and pushed it in front of me.

Under the cold white light of the living room, I clearly saw the bold black words on the cover, Divorce Agreement.

I froze in place, and my mind went blank for a brief moment.

What does this mean? I heard my own voice trembling.

Ethan looked straight into my eyes, his gaze deep but without a trace of warmth. Vanessa Bennett is back.

Vanessa Bennett.

That name was like a poison-coated needle, stabbing hard into my heart.

Vanessa was my half sister and also Ethan Whitmores childhood sweetheart and first love.

Three years ago, Vanessa left without a word on the eve of her engagement to Ethan in order to chase her so-called freedom, then flew far away.

For the sake of their reputation, the Whitmore family forced the Bennett family to hand over another daughter as a replacement.

That was how I became Vanessas stand-in and married Ethan Whitmore.

For these three years, I hid every sharp edge of myself and did my best to be the perfect Mrs. Whitmore.

I thought more than a thousand days and nights of companionship would eventually warm this stone.

But now, Vanessa was back.

She has severe depression, complicated by serious heart failure. Ethans tone was cold and brooked no argument. The doctors said she has at most half a year left.

I stared hard at the divorce agreement, my nails almost digging into my palm. So what? Shes sick, so youre going to use my marriage as her treatment?

Sophia, calm down. Ethan frowned, as if he was displeased by my questioning. Vanessas mental state is extremely fragile right now. Her only obsession is that she never got to marry me back then. If we dont satisfy her, she could kill herself at any time.

This is only a divorce agreement in name. His tone softened, as if he was granting me some kind of mercy. Well get divorced first, then Ill hold a wedding with her and stay with her through these final six months. When shes gone, well remarry.

Remarry? It was as if I had heard the worlds biggest joke, and my eyes instantly turned red. Ethan Whitmore, what do you take me for? Some object you can summon and dismiss whenever you want?

Your Bennett family owed me from the start! Ethans patience ran out, and his voice rose sharply. If Vanessa hadnt run away from the wedding, you never would have had the chance to become Mrs. Whitmore! Youve enjoyed everything the Whitmore familys resources and status brought you for these three years, and now that Vanessa is about to die, you cant even endure this little bit of grievance?

My whole body went cold, as if I had fallen into an ice cellar.

For these three years, I stayed by his side through the hardest power struggle at Whitmore Group, drank at business dinners until my stomach bled to help him, and went an entire month without a proper nights sleep to care for him when he broke bones in a car accident.

In the end, in his eyes, I had only been enjoying the Whitmore familys resources.

What if I dont sign? I gritted my teeth and asked each word clearly.

Ethan looked down at me from above, and his gaze was so unfamiliar it was terrifying. Sophia, dont force me to use other methods. Youre a smart woman, so you should know the consequences of angering me. Sign it, and Ill give you enough compensation for these six months. The position of Mrs. Whitmore will still be yours in the end.

After saying that, he did not look at me again and turned toward the guest room, slamming the door shut.

I stood alone in the empty living room, looking at the divorce agreement on the table.

The edge of the paper was sharp, cutting my eyes until they stung.

So it turned out that not loving someone simply meant not loving them.

Even if I dug out my heart and held it in front of him, it still could not compare to a single tear Vanessa shed.

Sophia Bennett POV

Early the next morning, before I had even woken from last nights daze, the villas front door was pushed open.

Several movers filed in one after another, carrying suitcases of all sizes into the living room.

Vanessa wore a pure white dress, her face pale, looking like a fragile dodder flower as she leaned weakly in Ethan Whitmores arms.

When she saw me standing at the stairway, Vanessa shrank back, and tears instantly filled her eyes. Sophia Im sorry. I know its selfish of me to come back at a time like this, but Im really so afraid of dying. I just want Ethan to be with me during my final days

She cried so pitifully, as if she had suffered some terrible injustice.

Ethan held her tighter in distress and comforted her softly. Dont cry. The doctor said you cant get emotional. This will be your home from now on, and no one can drive you away.

After saying that, he raised his head and looked at me coldly. Vanessas illness requires plenty of sunlight, and the master bedroom has the best light. Pack up your things today and move to the guest room on the first floor.

I froze in place, looking at him in disbelief.

I had designed the master bedroom myself, and every piece of furniture and every painting inside had been carefully chosen over countless days and nights.

It was the private space where Ethan and I had lived together for three years.

Now, with one casual sentence, he wanted to sweep me out.

Ethan Whitmore, were not divorced yet. My voice tightened, and I gripped the stair railing hard.

Sophia, dont be mad at Ethan. Vanessa tugged at Ethans sleeve and said considerately, I can just stay in the guest room. Im someone whos about to die anyway, so it doesnt matter where I stay

No! Ethan cut her off sternly, and his gaze toward me grew even colder. Sophia, did you ignore everything I said last night? Vanessas heart cant take any stimulation. Will you only be satisfied if you force her to death?

Force her to death?

I looked at the faint, barely noticeable smugness that flashed through Vanessas eyes and suddenly found it all absurd beyond words.

I did not argue anymore and turned back to the master bedroom.

I opened the closet and began mechanically stuffing my clothes into a suitcase.

Ethan and Vanessas voices came from outside the door.

Ethan, I want cheesecake from that place in the East Village.

Okay, Ill have my assistant buy it right away.

But I want you to feed me the cake yourself

Anything you want. Anything.

My hand suddenly froze, and a sharp pain spread through my fingertips.

I had a serious stomach condition, and whenever it flared up and I had no appetite, Ethan would drive to the East Village to buy that cheesecake, then patiently feed it to me one spoonful at a time.

I had once thought that was a tenderness meant only for me.

Only now did I know he had simply taken a habit meant for another woman and used it on me in passing.

In less than half an hour, my things had been cleared out completely.

The movers rudely hung Vanessas clothes in the closet, pulled off the bedding I had carefully chosen, and replaced it with the pink lace Vanessa liked.

I dragged my suitcase to the guest room on the first floor.

The guest room rarely saw sunlight all year round, and it carried a cold, damp smell.

I sat on the bare bed board, looked at the gray sky outside the window, and my tears finally fell silently.

I had acted in this play called marriage for three years and fallen too deeply into the role.

But Ethan Whitmore could call it to a stop at any time.

Sophia Bennett POV

I was not only Mrs. Whitmore, but also a top-tier simultaneous interpreter in the industry.

Next week, the G7 summit would be held in San Francisco.

As the officially appointed chief interpreter, I had stayed up for half a month straight for this summit, compiling a thick stack of professional terms and background materials.

This was the most important battle of my career.

However, three days before the summit began, the director of the State Departments Language Services Office suddenly called me into his office.

Sophia, the higher-ups have decided to replace the chief interpreter for this summit. The directors expression was a little awkward, and he avoided my gaze.

I froze. Replace me? Why? I ranked first in every assessment, and Ive already finished preparing all the materials.

Its its what Whitmore Group wants. The director sighed. Whitmore Group is the biggest sponsor of this summit. Mr. Whitmore personally gave the order and specifically requested that Vanessa Bennett serve as chief interpreter.

Vanessa?

I felt as if I had been struck by lightning.

Vanessa had indeed studied translation in college, but she had not even passed the most basic simultaneous interpretation certification, and she had spent the past three years traveling abroad. How could she possibly handle a summit at this level?

Director, this is an international summit, not a game! Vanessa has no simultaneous interpretation experience at all. If something goes wrong, the entire industry will be humiliated! I panicked.

Mr. Whitmore said hell arrange for you to work as a shadow interpreter in the backup booth. Director Miller spread his hands helplessly. If Vanessa gets stuck, you immediately cut into the channel and translate for her. Publicly, the credit will be hers. If something goes wrong, Whitmore Group will take responsibility.

All the blood in my body instantly went cold.

Shadow interpreter.

Ethan Whitmore not only wanted to steal my hard work, but also wanted to trample my dignity under his feet and make me like a ghost who could not be seen, serving as Vanessas stepping stone!

I rushed straight out of the office and took a cab directly to Whitmore Group headquarters.

Inside the CEOs office, Ethan Whitmore was looking down and reviewing documents.

With a bang, I pushed open the door and slammed the materials in my hand onto his desk.

Ethan Whitmore, what gives you the right to replace me?! My eyes were red, and my chest rose and fell violently.

Ethan did not even lift his head, and his tone was as flat as if he were discussing the weather. The director should have explained it clearly to you. Vanessas dream used to be becoming a simultaneous interpreter. She doesnt have much time left now, so I have to help her fulfill her dream.

Fulfill her dream? By treating an international conference like some make-believe game? I was so furious I laughed. She doesnt have the ability to sit in that position at all!

Thats why youre needed as backup. Ethan finally raised his head and looked at me coldly. Sophia, youre still young. Youll have plenty of chances to attend summits like this in the future. But Vanessa only has this one chance.

I wont go. I clenched my teeth, my back straight. My professional ethics do not allow me to be part of this kind of fraud. If you want to promote her, do whatever you want, but I will never be her ghostwriter!

Ethans gaze darkened instantly, and a dangerous aura spread around him.

He stood up and walked toward me step by step, looking down at me from above.

Sophia, have you forgotten that your fathers company is still surviving on Whitmore Groups funding? Ethans voice was extremely low, but every word stabbed into my heart. If you dont go, Bennett Group will announce bankruptcy tomorrow. Guess whether your money-obsessed father will be so angry that he drops dead because of you.

My pupils suddenly contracted, and all the strength in my body seemed to be drained away in an instant.

I looked at the man in front of me in disbelief.

To make Vanessa smile, he was actually using my fathers lifes work to threaten me!

Ethan Whitmore youre truly despicable. My voice trembled beyond control.

A fleeting emotion flashed through Ethans eyes, but it was quickly covered by cruelty.

Say whatever you want. He turned around, his back to me. Nine oclock Friday morning, report to the backup booth on time. Dont disappoint me.

Sophia Bennett POV

Friday, at the G7 summit venue.

Under the spotlight, Vanessa wore a custom business suit and flawless makeup, looking like a dazzling star as she sat inside the main interpreter booth.

As for me, I was placed in the backup booth in the darkest corner of the venue, where not even the lights reached.

The summit officially began.

For the first ten minutes of polite greetings, Vanessa barely managed to get through. But as the meeting deepened and began involving a large number of obscure macroeconomics terms and complex long sentences, Vanessas breathing grew rushed, and her voice became halting.

Regarding regarding under the quantitative easing policy that

The voice from the main interpreter booth paused for a full five seconds.

Inside the venue, representatives from various countries frowned one after another, taking off their headsets and whispering to each other.

Ethan Whitmore sat in the VIP seats in the front row, and his face darkened as well.

At that critical moment, I closed my eyes in the backup booth, took a deep breath, and pressed the forced cut-in button.

Regarding the spillover effects of quantitative easing policies on emerging markets...

A cool, steady, flawless, and authentic voice instantly cut into the channel, perfectly bridging the earlier gap.

The commotion inside the venue calmed down.

For the next two hours, Vanessa was reduced completely to a decoration.

She sat in the main booth with a deathly pale face, not even daring to touch the microphone.

As for me, inside the dark backup booth, my brain ran at high speed as I translated every word from the speakers with absolute precision.

The meeting ended successfully, and thunderous applause broke out across the room.

Representatives from various countries gave thumbs-up toward the main interpreter booth, praising the outstanding performance of this young interpreter.

Vanessa walked out of the interpreter booth with Ethan Whitmore supporting her, and facing the cameras flashing from the media, she lowered her head shyly. Thank you, everyone. This is what I should have done.

Ethan gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders and said to the cameras, Vanessa has always been excellent. Im proud of her.

The door of the backup booth was pushed open, and I walked out with a pale face.

The high-intensity simultaneous interpretation had drained all my energy, and my throat was so dry and hoarse that I could barely make a sound.

I stood in the shadows and looked at the two people not far away, surrounded by flowers and applause, and my heart felt as if it had been stuffed with shattered glass, every breath bringing bloody pain.

This was the man I had loved for three years.

He had snapped my wings with his own hands, plucked off my feathers, and stuck them onto another woman.

After the crowd dispersed, Ethan Whitmore walked toward me.

He took a check from his suit pocket and handed it to me.

You worked hard today. This is one million dollars, your pay for being the backup today. Ethans tone was strictly business. Remember, I dont want any media to know what happened today.

I looked at that light, weightless check and suddenly laughed.

I laughed until tears came out, and my thin shoulders shook violently.

Ethan Whitmore, in your eyes, are my dignity and my professional beliefs only worth one million dollars?

I did not take the check and instead looked fixedly at him.

Dont worry. I wont tell anyone. Because I find it disgusting.

I turned around, straightened my back, and walked out of the venue step by step.

Sophia Bennett POV

The constant high-pressure work and emotional collapse made my body send out a warning.

For several days in a row, I felt nauseous, kept retching, and had no strength at all.

After I went to the hospital for an exam, the doctor handed me an ultrasound report with a gentle smile on her face. Congratulations, Miss Bennett. Youre six weeks pregnant. But your body is very weak, and there are signs of a threatened miscarriage, so you must rest and keep your mood stable.

I was pregnant.

I looked at the gestational sac on the ultrasound report, only the size of a soybean, and tears fell without warning.

I had waited for this child for three years.

On countless intimate nights, Ethan Whitmore had once kissed my earlobe and said, Sophia, have a child for me, one as beautiful as you.

Now, the child had finally come.

A faint, weak hope suddenly appeared in the depths of my dried-up heart.

Maybe the arrival of this child could make Ethan Whitmore come to his senses.

Maybe, for the sake of the child, he would stop this ridiculous farce.

I carefully tucked the ultrasound report close to my body and took a cab back to the villa.

When I pushed open the door, the living room was filled with the rich scent of roses.

Ethan Whitmore was directing the housekeepers as they decorated the dining room, and expensive red wine and Vanessas favorite French desserts were laid out on the table.

When he saw me come back, Ethan immediately frowned. Why are you back? Didnt I tell you to stay at your parents place for the next few days? Vanessa performed very well at the summit today, and Im celebrating for her. Your being here will affect her mood.

My heart sank little by little, but I still took a deep breath and walked up to him.

Ethan Whitmore, I have something to tell you. Its very important. My hand tightly gripped the ultrasound report in my pocket.

Whatever it is, say it tomorrow. Ethan interrupted me impatiently and glanced at his watch. Vanessa will be done with her shower and downstairs any minute.

Just one minute! I anxiously grabbed his sleeve. Ethan, I

Sophia, are you two arguing?

On the stairs, Vanessa wore a silk nightgown, her face pale as she held onto the railing, looking like she might collapse at any moment.

Vanessa, why did you come down by yourself? Ethan immediately shook off my hand, strode up the stairs, and scooped Vanessa into his arms.

I heard Sophias voice and was afraid she was angry with me Vanessa leaned in Ethans arms, then suddenly clutched her chest in pain and gasped hard. Ethan my chest hurts so much I cant breathe

Ethans face changed drastically, and he roared at the housekeepers, Get her medicine! Bring the car around to go to the hospital!

He rushed downstairs holding Vanessa, and when he passed me, I instinctively blocked him for a moment. Ethan, listen to me. Im pregnant

Get out of the way!

Ethans eyes were bloodshot, and he shoved me away hard.

Sophia, do you even have a heart?! Vanessa is having an episode, and youre still here fighting for attention out of jealousy! If anything happens to Vanessa, Ill never let you off!

I stumbled back several steps from the shove and slammed hard into the solid marble coffee table.

The ultrasound report fell out of my pocket and drifted to the floor.

Ethan did not even glance at it and rushed out the front door like a gust of wind with Vanessa in his arms.

His hurried footsteps ruthlessly stepped over that ultrasound report, leaving a dark muddy footprint on it.

I collapsed to the floor, and a faint sinking pain spread through my lower abdomen.

I stared blankly at the dirty ultrasound report on the floor and suddenly felt that my earlier attempt to use the child to win him back had been so stupid it was laughable.

Sophia Bennett POV

A sudden gale rose outside the window, and a rare storm poured down.

I held my stomach, cold sweat soaking the clothes on my back.

The sinking pain in my abdomen grew more and more intense, as if something was being forcibly torn away from my body.

I struggled to get up, found my phone, and called Ethan Whitmore.

The phone rang for a long time before it was answered, and the noisy background sounds of the hospital came through from the other end.

What now? Ethans voice carried extreme impatience and exhaustion.

Ethan my stomach hurts so much My voice was so weak it could barely be heard, with a desperate sob in it. Im bleeding please, come back and save me

The other end of the line was silent for two seconds.

Immediately after, Vanessas weak voice came through. Ethan, is Sophia angry with me again? Go back and stay with her. I can wait outside the emergency room by myself

Dont talk nonsense. Im not going anywhere. After comforting Vanessa, Ethan gave a cold laugh into the phone.

Sophia, this pathetic act of yours is terrible. I didnt use any force when I pushed you just now, so who are you pretending to bleed for?

Im not pretending I really am pregnant I curled up on the floor in pain, blood winding down my thighs and staining the white wool carpet red.

Enough! Ethan snapped harshly. Vanessa is undergoing heart monitoring right now, and her life could be in danger at any moment. Can you stop your tricks for attention and act like a decent human being?

Beepbeepbeep

The call was mercilessly hung up.

I gripped the phone tightly, listened to the cold busy tone, and the last trace of warmth in my heart went out completely.

I did not call again.

I used the last of my strength and dialed the hospital emergency line.

The ambulance struggled forward through the storm, and by the time I arrived at the hospital, I had already fallen into a semi-coma from losing too much blood.

Inside the cold operating room, the glaring surgical lights shone on my face.

The patient has a threatened miscarriage, plus extreme emotional distress and an external impact. The fetus cant be saved. Prepare for a D&C immediately!

Cold instruments entered my body, but that tearing pain was not even one ten-thousandth of the pain in my heart.

The next morning after the surgery, I lay alone in the pale hospital room.

No family, no company.

During rounds, the doctor looked at my bloodless face and could not help sighing. Ms. Bennett, this has caused serious damage to your fertility. It may be difficult for you to conceive in the future. Where is your husband? Why hasnt he come to stay with you?

Hes dead. I looked at the ceiling, my voice hollow without the slightest rise or fall.

The doctor froze for a moment and tactfully did not ask any more questions.

I took out my phone, and the screen showed a breaking news notification.

Whitmore Group CEO Appears at Hospital Late at Night, Stays by Childhood Sweethearts Side, Suspected Wedding Bells Soon.

The attached photo showed Ethan Whitmore sitting in front of the hospital bed, tightly holding Vanessas hand, his gaze so gentle it seemed it could drip water.

I looked at that photo quietly and did not shed a single tear.

Something inside my heart had died.

When all expectations were crushed into mud, what remained was only bone-deep calm.

I pressed the lock screen button and tossed the phone aside.

Ethan Whitmore, between us, it was completely over.