Chapter 2

My parents looked at me kneeling at the door, tears of anger and grief streaming down their faces.

Years ago, to marry Marcus, I had practically cut ties with them.

My dad had been so angry. He locked me in my room, forbidding me from seeing him.

But nothing could change my mind.

After I went on a three-day hunger strike, my parents finally broke.

They gave me an ultimatum: Marcus or them.

I cried until I almost fainted, bowed to them, and walked out of their lives to marry Marcus.

Marcus had never met my parents. After I got married, I secretly went back to check on them a few times.

My dad had retired early out of pure anger, and my mom developed a heart condition from the stress.

In my past life, when the news of my death reached them...

My mother had a heart attack and passed away.

My father was mocked by all our relatives.

"Having a daughter is useless. She abandons her family for a man, leaving her parents to die alone."

My father became a complete recluse, shutting himself away in depression until he died.

Remembering how my decisions had ruined my family, I sobbed uncontrollably.

I apologized sincerely. My mom hit my shoulder in anger, but her heart softened, and she pulled me into the house.

My dad sighed. "It's good that you're home. Just don't ever see him again."

I nodded. "We’re divorced. But Marcus still has things that belong to me."

Following Marcus's orders, I went back to the hospital to hand over my duties.

Since I didn't get the promotion, I was going to resign soon.

I received a text from Marcus: *Go take care of the patient in Bed 3. Amber isn't familiar with her case yet.*

I walked past Marcus's office. The door was slightly ajar, and Amber's giggles drifted out.

"I haven't written a single word of my thesis. Didn't you say Chloe has great research skills?"

"Just take her draft and use it. Don't let it go to waste."

"With her background, she won't ever catch up to me, even if she works for another ten years."

Marcus replied, "True. She should feel honored to contribute to our careers."

"Her files are all on her home computer. I'll copy them tonight."

Amber yawned. "I didn't sleep well last night, and it's all your fault. I want to go home and take a nap."

Marcus’s voice was filled with tenderness. "Go on. I'll have Chloe cover your shift. Let's make sure she's put to good use."

Listening to their conversation, my blood ran cold.

This was the man I had loved for fifteen years. To him, I was nothing but a tool to be exploited.

Amber walked out of the office and saw me changing an IV bag.

She smirked and leaned in close. "Chloe, do you know where Marcus was the night you had your miscarriage?"

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "He was in my bed."

"You were crying and bleeding all over the floor, but Marcus was screaming my name in my bed."

When I was three months pregnant, I had severe abdominal pain in the middle of the night. I called Marcus.

He had answered with annoyance.

"You're a doctor, Chloe. Why are you calling me over a little stomach ache?"

"I think something is wrong with the baby..."

Marcus snapped, "You're just pregnant, not carrying royal blood. Stop being so needy."

He hung up. I called him dozens of times, but he never picked up again.

I had to call an Uber to take myself to the ER.

Before I even reached the hospital, my pants were soaked in blood.

By the time I was admitted, the baby was already gone.

I cried alone in that cold hospital bed, shivering.

And his phone had remained unreachable.

I let out a cold laugh. So that was the truth.

"Marcus, get out here!" I yelled.

Hearing me shout right outside his office, Amber's face paled. "Are you crazy? What are you doing?"

"I don't give a damn about what you two do in bed. But my Attending position? I’m taking it back."