Chapter 3

I drove to the hospital, pushed open the door of the ward, and the first thing I saw was Ryan sitting at the bedside.

Gone was all his cold distance. His eyes were full of a tenderness and doting I had never once seen from him.

So it turned out he wasn't cold by nature. The warmth had simply never been for me.

When he saw me come in, he frowned in displeasure.

"Why so slow? Cece's weak right now. She almost missed the best window for her recovery meal."

Cecily looked over at me, her whole face glowing with happiness.

"Jean, come see my baby, he's really so adorable."

"Thank you for taking such good care of me these ten months. I'll be counting on you from now on too."

My eyes fell to the bassinet, and my steps stopped short.

The tiny infant lay there with his eyes closed, and the shape of his brows, the bridge of his nose, the line of his lips were almost cast from the same mold as Ryan.

Absurd. Sickening. A cold that went to the bone swept through me.

Seeing my fist clench, Ryan lowered his voice in warning.

"Jean, don't throw a tantrum. Cece just gave birth. She can't handle any upset."

I lifted my eyes and looked straight at him.

"You were willing to marry me just to get your ex-wife and her child a free, private nutritionist. Isn't that right?"

His face darkened slightly.

"Don't put it so ugly. I genuinely wanted to build a life with you. It's just that the child is innocent. Once Cece finishes her confinement, I'll make it up to you, and things can go on as usual."

"Go on as usual?"

I only found it laughable, and I looked at Cecily.

"You and her go on being sweet and in love, and I raise your bastard for you?"

Cecily's eyes reddened at once, her voice choking.

"Jean, don't say that about my child. I didn't know you'd mind this much. I thought you'd accepted me and the baby a long time ago."

"I never once thought of tearing you and Ryan apart. If it makes you unhappy, I can leave right away."

As she spoke, she clutched her belly and moved to get out of bed. She hadn't shifted an inch before she collapsed weakly into Ryan's arms, weeping like a rain-drenched blossom.

Ryan's face went cold in an instant as he pulled her close, aching for her.

"Jean Simmons, are you done making a scene?!"

I couldn't be bothered to watch the two of them act out their tragic romance. I took out the meal plan I'd prepared and tossed it onto the nightstand, my voice icy.

"I've marked the postpartum menu clearly. Any caregiver can follow it. This job ends when the client finishes giving birth, so I won't be coming again."

Ryan's face went blacker still.

"Jean Simmons, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Have you gone so deaf and blind you can't understand plain speech anymore?"

"Jean Simmons, there's a limit to throwing a tantrum! Cece just had a baby and you have to pick this moment to sulk and provoke her? Where's your professionalism?"

I looked at him.

"Professionalism means serving the client. It doesn't mean footing the bill for your affair."

"I forgot to tell you. I've already signed my next contract. Three years."

Cecily pressed her lips into a thin line, resentment flashing through her eyes.

"Cancel it. I'll pay the penalty. Cece's used to having you care for her, and the baby needs to bond with you too."

I smiled.

"You can pay the penalty. But the Henson family, are they someone you can afford to offend?"

"The Hensons? How could you..."

The Henson family of Harbor City held sway over the whole region, with deep roots, the top elite household that even the Delgados bowed to and feared.

His face went livid with anger.

"You just walk out like this, so irresponsible. What are Cece and the baby supposed to do?!"

I ignored his demand and pulled out a divorce agreement, shoving it in front of him.

Ryan couldn't help but laugh.

"You want a divorce? You wouldn't dare. Would your mother even agree to it?"