Chapter 3

I let out a gentle, peaceful laugh.

"No regrets."

"I just feel sorry for how pathetic my past self was."

The day my postpartum confinement ended was the exact day our divorce waiting period expired.

I took my time getting dressed and waited outside the county clerk's office.

Sean hadn't posted much recently. Probably realized that without me seething in jealousy, his little show had lost its fun.

When he saw me, his eyes visibly lit up.

Catching himself, he cleared his throat with a sneer, pretending to give me well-meaning advice:

"I’d suggest you stretch that hundred and fifty grand. Don't waste it all on clothes and makeup just to keep up appearances."

"Once it’s gone, you’re not getting another dime out of me. Raising our daughter isn't cheap—be smart."

I gave him a faint smirk and ignored the bait.

"Let’s go in. Don’t waste my time."

The paperwork took mere minutes.

Sean was clearly irritated by how unfazed I was. As we walked out, he smugly gestured toward a brand-new German luxury sedan parked by the curb.

"Need a ride back to your rental?"

"Vera’s dad hooked me up with this ride. Great specs. If you don't take it now, you might never get the chance to sit in a car this nice again."

I glanced at it.

The daily grocery-getter my family's chef drove was worth twice that.

"No thanks. My driver is already waiting."

I turned and walked toward the VIP parking section. Driver Joe had been waiting for a while; he promptly stepped out and held the door open for me.

Even without looking back, I could feel Sean’s burning, bewildered stare drilling into my back.

A minute later, a text popped up on my screen from Sean.

*[Have you no shame? You hooked up with an old geezer already?]*

It took me a second to realize he was talking about my sixty-year-old chauffeur.

I scoffed.

Not even bothering to reply, I blocked his number on the spot.

I didn't expect to run into Sean and Vera again that very afternoon at a private medical center.

I was there for my postpartum checkup.

Vera was there for her prenatal screening.

Sean was hovering over her like a dutiful servant, walking cautiously by her side. When her shoelace came undone, he instantly dropped to one knee to tie it for her.

When I was eight months pregnant, my feet were swollen like balloons. I had stumbled down the clinic halls in the only worn-out sneakers I could squeeze into.

Sean had never held my arm. He had always marched ten paces ahead.

I had to lean against the wall, panting just to keep up.

And when my laces came undone, all I got was a tongue-lashing:

*"Couldn't you buy slip-ons? You always look for trouble."*

*"I'm a grown man. Kneeling down in public to tie your shoes looks ridiculous. Deal with it yourself!"*

In the end, a kind female stranger couldn't watch any longer and tied it for me.

Love and indifference really were that obvious.

Sean waited by the door while Vera entered the ultrasound room.

He casually glanced over and froze—the hospital director was bowing slightly, personally chatting with me.

The director was wrapping up, confirming my recovery was flawless.

Just as he was about to escort me out, Sean barked my name.

The director tactfully excused himself.

Sean grabbed my wrist, wearing an expression of deep, moral disgust.

"Evelyn, did you ignore my text?!"

"Are you really this cheap? Hooking up with dirty old men just for a taste of luxury? Have you no self-respect?!"

I yanked my arm away.

I looked at him with sheer exasperation.

"Is that really what you think of me?"

"Whatever, think what you want. Aren't you living the high life by latching onto a woman yourself? You're in no position to judge."

Sean’s cheeks flushed crimson with shame.

He puffed out his chest, defensively snarling:

"How is that the same? Vera and I share true love!"

"For our daughter's sake, I'll throw in another thousand a month in child support. Just stop selling yourself out. I refuse to let my kid have a mother who does anything for dirty cash!"

Just then, Vera walked out of the exam room.

Seeing the commotion, she waddled over with her hand on her belly, sizing me up with arrogant contempt.

"Miss Vance, Sean told me all about you."

"A piece of advice: a woman ought to keep her dignity. Now that you're divorced, stop daydreaming about things that will never belong to you. You and I never belonged to the same social class."

I saw right through her superiority complex and had zero interest in sparing her feelings.

I chuckled coldly.

"Keep my dignity?"

"You're the one who spread your legs for a married man while his wife was pregnant."

Vera’s face went chalk-white. She grabbed Sean's arm to drag him away.

"Let’s go, Sean!"

"She's completely ungrateful. There's no point talking to trailer-trash like her."

"Hold on," I called out casually.

With a mocking smirk, I tossed out a question:

"Miss Collins, did your father ever mention that his parent group just got a brand-new CEO?"