Chapter 1 Chapter 1

When I was six months pregnant, I was visiting the hospital to get my prenatal checkup results when I ran into my husband, Quentin Smith. He was accompanying a woman for her prenatal checkup—she was his childhood friend, Kelly Wallace. "Quentin, won't your wife mind?" she asked with a hint of distress. "Don't worry, she'll never find out. Even if she does, she wouldn't dare do anything." Quentin smiled, taking Kelly's hand and squeezing it. Kelly remained anxious. "But she's your wife after all. I'm afraid she'll get upset if she knows…""I'll just make sure she never finds out," Quentin replied, shrugging. "I would've told her in the first place, but she's been emotionally unstable lately, and you're pregnant, so I can't let her cause you any trouble. If she dares to cause trouble, I'll just have to divorce her!" Hearing those words left my heart broken. Whipping out my phone, I called my father whom I hadn't spoken to in a while, telling him as soon as he answered, "Dad, I want to go home." My father was delighted nonetheless. "I guess you've finally figured it all out, sweetie. Don't worry—you're always welcomed home. And no matter what happens, your mom and I will always have your back." After hanging up, I remembered that I had asked Quentin to come with me to my prenatal checkup when I left the house earlier this morning, but he said he had something else to do. As it turned out, he was accompanying Kelly for her prenatal checkup instead. In fact, I was already six months pregnant, but not once did he come to the hospital with me. On the other hand, Quentin had been meeting Kelly frequently after she broke off her engagement a few months ago and returned to the city. In fact, he was always there to be at her beck and call. I tried to get through to Quentin, reasoning that if he didn't love me anymore and had fallen in love with someone else, we could get a divorce. He simply snorted. "Kelly has just broken off her engagement—she's in a bad mood, and she's pregnant on top of that. As a friend, shouldn't I support her? We've known each other for years, and I have a moral obligation to help!" I was left staring at him in disbelief. "Friend? What kind of friend meets every day of the week and is always ready to help at every second?" He promptly snapped at me, "Don't push it, Jolin! Kelly's going through a difficult time and needs help! Can't you stop being so unreasonable? You're making a mountain out of a molehill!" At first, I was really convinced that Kelly's baby wasn't Quentin's, because she was already pregnant when she returned to the city a few months ago. I tried to be indirect as I probed Quentin on who the father was, but Quentin would either brush it off or snap at me, telling me not to ask too many questions. When he realized he overreacted, he'd just tell me again and again that he and Kelly were really just friends—that I shouldn't let my imagination run wild. His sincerity had once convinced me that he was just being kind to Kelly—that they really were just friends, and I was the only one he loved. But now, seeing the way they were pressing against each other, I finally understood that Kelly's child was his. Even my own pregnancy was just a smokescreen to hide the real father of Kelly's baby. I certainly didn't miss the flicker of glee in Kelly's eyes when Quentin threatened to divorce me if I didn't submit, but she remained distressed, as if blaming herself. "No!" she cried. "You can't let your marriage fall apart because of me… If only my fiance didn't call off our engagement, then none of this would've happened. I wouldn't have survived with you, y'know… There were suddenly so many problems as soon as I came back." With that, she started sobbing like a classical damsel in distress, while my own husband was the gentleman who would ease her troubles. Patting her back, Quentin's voice was soft as he comforted her. "It's alright—no matter what happens, I'll always be there for you. When we were kids, if it weren't for you..." He trailed off for a moment but soon continued earnestly, "Anyway, I'm helping you and taking care of you because it's what I should do. As for Jolin, she's my wife and she should be more understanding about what I'm doing. So what if she finds out? I'm on your side no matter what happens." My heart hurt even as I watched them frolic, with tears flowing down my cheeks. I hence told myself that it was just a week until my divorce papers would be finalized, and I'd be gone from this city forever in two—and finally be rid of them.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

At the very next instant, I saw Quentin standing up and leaving with a doctor to get Kelly's prenatal checkup report. As for Kelly, she turned toward the pillar where I was hiding with a taunting grin. "Come on, Ms. Lester—you came all the way here, so why don't you show yourself already?" I slowly walked out and stared at her in silence. Kelly held my gaze and laughed as I was clearly going to keep quiet. "Do you get it now? Quentin never loved you. Have some shame and stop clinging on to being Mrs. Smith. "Oh, look at you—can't even keep your own man in check. Don't you feel useless? Might as well hand him over to someone else… Someone like me, who has just broken off my engagement and returned from abroad. Ah, I'm just so helpless, and I have no one other than the baby in my belly…" I simply shrugged—everything she said was just so amusing. Sighing, I said, "Strange—you know Quentin is married, but you're still so eager to hook up with him. Don't you feel ashamed?" "What…" Kelly was left speechless, but she soon took a deep breath and snapped, "God knows where you were when Quentin and I first met! You wouldn't even have the chance to marry him If I hadn't left the country! Now that I'm pregnant with his child, you should have the sense to back off!" I felt a pang of pain in my chest and had to fight back my tears. That was when Kelly saw the medical report in my hand and snatched it away, scanning through it before bursting into laughter. "So you're dying! Stage four cancer? Honestly, I wonder if you'll even make it to the delivery bed?" She suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist, clenching firmly as she threatened me, "So do the right thing and leave, or else..." I was about to struggle, but at the very next second, her savage expression suddenly turned to vulnerability, and she abruptly collapsed to the floor, crying out, "No! Please, calm down! I'm pregnant too… How could you do this to me..." I was stunned, not realizing what was happening until Quentin suddenly pushed me to the floor when he saw that Kelly had fallen. "Jolin!" he bellowed without even waiting to find out what happened. "Why did you push Kelly for no reason?" At the same time, Kelly rubbed her belly and feigned concern, grabbing Quentin's arm as she said, "It's alright—I'm fine, it's not her fault. The baby's fine too. I'm fine with a little push…" That only infuriated Quentin further. "Jolin! Apologize this instant!" I was so angry I could barely breathe, and I flung my medical report at him as I snapped, "Take a good look before you run your mouth!" However, Quentin simply ripped it into pieces and kept yelling, "Don't bother trying to change the subject! You were out of line, Jolin! You don't get to hurt Kelly even if you hate her! And you're soon going to be a mother too. How could you do this to another pregnant woman?!" Despair was eating me even as I looked at him in turn, and I had to wipe off the tears I couldn't fight back. Quentin paused, and his tone softened. "Fine, I get it—I haven't been paying you much attention lately. And you're pregnant now, so I won't keep arguing. Just apologize to Kelly, and we can all put this behind us. Once our baby is born, I'll make it up to you." I could see the triumphant gleam in Kelly's eyes and felt a gaping hole in my chest as I turned to Quentin. Suddenly, I realized that the man who had once said he loved me and would always believe in me was gone. And now, I shouldn't expect anything of him. Taking a deep breath, I wiped the tears from my face again and calmed myself before I said softly, "I won't apologize for something I didn't do." And with those words, I turned and walked away.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

As I left, I saw a brief flicker of panic in Quentin's eyes. However, just as he was about to chase after me, Kelly was suddenly howling in pain and clutching her belly. "Quentin, my stomach hurts…" Quentin worriedly took her hands. "What's wrong?" Kelly's face was pale, but she pretended to care more about us. "I'm alright, Quentin! You have to get Jolin back—I think she's really upset." Quentin remained hesitant, but he soon shook his head. "She's just throwing a tantrum. Honestly, she doesn't know enough to read the room, trying to grab my attention when you're pregnant. Let's get you checked again—I'll talk to her later tonight." And with that, he scooped her up in his arms and returned to the clinic. As for me, I returned to my house alone. It used to be a place of warmth and happiness, but now, it was cold and desolate. Ever since Kelly returned to the country, Quentin rarely came home, leaving me alone in the huge house. Still, I started to clean up. I took my wedding photo of the wall and flung it violently into a garbage bag, and I packed all my belongings into a suitcase. However, when I reached the door, I saw two figures approaching. Quentin had actually taken Kelly home! There was a hint of guilt on his face when he saw my suitcase, and he quickly said, "Kelly's sick. I brought her back so she can rest.""Rest?" I snorted. "Is our house a hotel? Don't you know enough to send her to the hospital? This isn't the maternity ward!" Rage appeared in Kelly's eyes for a moment, but she soon pouted miserably. "I knew you never liked me, but Quentin and I are innocent. I'm just alone and helpless, and he's the only one I can count on to take care of me. I'll be gone as soon as I deliver my baby—I swear I won't be a bother…" It was a clear insult, and I glared at her coldly in turn. "I don't want to see your face right now. Leave." Quentin frowned right then. "How can you be so cold?! Kelly's pregnant! Where should she stay, huh?! At least we can both take care of her if she stays with us!" I took a deep breath and calmly said, "This is my house. I don't want her in it." That left Quentin at a loss, but that was when Kelly grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly, sniffling, "My stomach's hurting again. Do you think the baby's really fine?" Quentin's face dropped, and he wheeled on me, bellowing, "You're a woman too, Jolin! How can you be so cold?! Kelly's pregnant and has no one to count on, but you can't even sympathize! If you don't like it here, you can leave! I won't let Kelly's baby get hurt, one way or another!" I felt myself dying inside even as I held his gaze, but I eventually nodded. "Fine, I'll leave. Tonight's the last night, and I'll be gone tomorrow." And with that, I picked up the garbage bag and started out the door. Kelly clearly saw the wedding photo in the bag and feigned surprise as she gasped, "Oh, Ms. Lester, please, calm down! How could you leave your own wedding photo in pieces?' Quentin saw it too but snorted in disdain. "Don't bother—she's just bluffing like she always does. She won't ever leave me, and she'll calm down before long." I trudged on silently into the cold winter night, the chill of the winds cutting into my bones. Even so, I opened the trash chute and threw the wedding photo inside, and with it, all my love for Quentin.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

I had just reached the doorway when I saw Kelly putting her things in the nursery, which Quentin had prepared for our baby after I got pregnant. My rage flared right then—we had picked the decorations to the furniture in that room together, and everything in there was a symbol of our love for our baby. But now, Quentin was letting Kelly sleep there?! Was he going to let her use everything in there for her baby too?! I shook with rage as Kelly smiled at me smugly, lying flat on the small bed meant for my baby. I rushed up, intent on dragging her off, but she was screaming as she suddenly fell out of the bed even before I reached her. Quentin rushed into the room when he heard her and promptly grabbed my wrist and dragged me outside, glaring at me in rage as he growled, "What are you doing?!" I glared at him in turn, tears of grief welling up in my eyes as my voice cracked in tears. "Are you letting Kelly have that room too?!" Quentin appeared briefly apologetic but soon frowned. "What's the problem? She's just staying for a while anyway, and she likes it." I gaped at him, incredulous. "You said it yourself! This is going to be our baby's room—" He cut me off right then. "Just stop it! What's gotten into you lately?! Why are you being so unreasonable?! I told you she isn't staying here forever—she's just staying for a while! "Hell, you're disappointing me so much that I'm beginning to wonder if it's a mistake marrying you! Or do you want our baby to live without a father?!" My heart was in pieces even as I looked at him—he was threatening to leave me and my baby if I continued my antics. I hung my head to hide my disappointment and turned to leave in silence. I could see the hint of guilt on Quentin's face, but he quickly hid it as he spoke again behind me, his tone gentler this time. "I can just make a better room for the baby later anyway…" A better room? No, I wasn't giving him the chance. I was going to take my baby away from her father who clearly didn't love her. I continued ahead, smiling wryly. Soon, Kelly called out meekly, "Quentin…" Quentin stopped talking right then, and I turned to see him hurrying to her. As it turned out, my absence didn't even matter to him. Later, Kelly started sending me many voice messages, and Quentins's voice was ever so affectionate in them. "Don't worry about Jolin. She's always so petty—she'll be fine in a couple of days. "You can stay here with no worries. I'll also arrange for renovations if there's anything in your room that doesn't suit your tastes." As I listened to all those recordings of Quention's tender voice, that was when I realized that yes, he was good to me and cared so much about our unborn child before, but it was all practice, for the sake of Kelly and her baby. Even the nursery was made for her sake. Tears of misery streamed down my cheeks, and my heart hurt so much I couldn't even breathe. The love I prided myself with was a joke all along. That was when I felt a kick in my belly—my baby seemed to sense my mood. I quickly assured her, "It's alright, baby. You won't have to stay with a daddy who doesn't love us."

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Quentin doted on Kelly even more after she moved in, while I became virtually invisible. With that, what last vestiges of hope I had for Quentin went up in smoke. One night, I was going downstairs to get some water when I suddenly heard Kelly's voice from the guest room. "Quen, I can't sleep." Quentin asked in concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?" Kelly sighed. "Oh, it's just the baby… she always starts kicking when it gets late. But I heard that the necklace your family passed down can help soothe one's nerves… May I borrow it?" Quentin was silent for a moment, but he soon said quietly, "No problem. I'll get it from her—she can have it back after you deliver your baby." I felt a pang of pain on my chest as I listened. That necklace wasn't just priceless—it was a symbol of status, passed down among the ladies of the Smith household across generations. Quentin himself had given it to me when we got married, telling me that it would only belong to me. That I was the only one he loved. That I was now the lady of her house. But now, he was taking it away, so he could give it to another woman just because she asked. I covered my mouth, refusing to cry out, but that was when the floorboards beneath my feet suddenly creaked softly. The next second, the door opened, and Quentin appeared. He was stunned for a moment when he saw me, and a look of guilt showed as he asked, "What are you doing staying up so late?" I looked up into his eyes, fighting back my grief as I replied, "I needed a drink. Kelly wants my necklace?" Quentin appeared a little embarrassed. "She's not sleeping well, and the necklace really soothes one's nerves. Don't worry, she's just borrowing it for a while—she'll return it to you after her baby is born." I nodded and said readily, "Okay, but on one condition." Quentin's face lit up, and he took a step forward, wanting to hug me. "Oh, Jolin! You're such a considerate person. Don't worry, after Kelly delivers her baby, I'll definitely—" I quickly stepped back, avoiding his touch—the scent of Kelly's perfume was clinging to him, and it repulsed me. That cut Quentin off mid-sentence, but he quickly recovered and continued, "Once Kelly gives birth, I'll definitely make it up to you… Look, Jolin—you'll always be my wife and the lady of this house. No one will ever change that." I nodded, impassive as I said, "Like I said, on one condition." Turning, I went upstairs to pick up the divorce papers I had prepared, flipped to the signature page, and handed them to him. Quentin, assuming it was just a matter of his name, signing it without thinking twice. "It's alright—you can buy anything you want. I'll pay." With that, I unfastened the necklace from my neck and handed it to him, calmly saying, "Here, take it—in fact, Kelly can keep it as long as she wants." Quentin took the necklace, his fingers trembling a little, and clearly intent on correcting me. However, all he ended up saying was, "Don't worry, Jo. I'll make it up to you after Kelly gives birth." I nodded and started back upstairs, when he suddenly reached out to hug me again. I avoided his touch once more, and this time, I could see a brief flicker of pain in his eyes. But he said nothing else and returned into Kelly's room with the necklace right away, and she was squealing in delight at the very next second. "Quen, you really got it? Oh, you really spoil me too much!" I stared outside the window, my heart cold as ice. Tomorrow. Once tomorrow ended, I would be gone from this place.

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

That night, Quentin returned to our bedroom early, hugging me from behind like he always did—like nothing had happened earlier. I pretended to sleep and didn't return to his embrace, though a second had barely passed when Kelly called his phone, and he left again. The next day, I opened my eyes to find no one around me, and I started packing my things. When I went downstairs with my suitcase, I found Quentin sitting beside Kelly, carefully feeding her soup. He sprang to his feet when he looked up and saw me, panic showing on his face. Still, he quickly put down the bowl, rubbing his hands nervously as he said, "Good morning, Jolin. Now, don't get the wrong idea here. Kelly wasn't feeling an appetite, so I made her some soup to help." I nodded calmly and continued toward the door with my suitcase, and Quentin's face darkened when he noticed it. He leaped up, snatching it off my hands as he snapped, "What do you think you're doing?! Are you really leaving over something so trivial? Can you stop behaving like a petty child for once?! Kelly's here all alone and helpless—it's only right that I take good care of her!" I stayed silent, but that only made Quentin even angrier as he bellowed, "I told you that she's just staying here for a while! Stop being so jealous!" He slammed the suitcase on the floor right then, causing me to jump and instinctively clutch my stomach, terrified that it shocked my baby. Quentin seemed to realize something was wrong, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. But before he could speak, Kelly came running, holding her bowl of soup and pleading meekly, "Calm down, Jolin. I know it's all my fault, but this soup is really good. You can have some!" She held out the bowl to me, and my stomach churned when I saw the distinct smear of lipstick on the rim. Having had enough, I tried to push her hand away. "I'm fine! I don't need it!" I was as gentle as I could, but the bowl dropped somehow, shattering with a resounding clang even as Kelly screamed dramatically, "Argh! It burns!!!" She held out her hand, and there wasn't even a smudge on it, but Quentin was panicking anyway and rushed to her side. Once he was done calming Kelly down, he strode up to me and grabbed my arm, then started dragging me toward the basement. "You've gone too far this time!" he bellowed. "Kelly is being nice, and not only did you refuse to accept her, but you had to hurt her too! You had better start reflecting on yourself right now!""Argh!" I screamed in pain, tears welling up in my eyes as I struggled against his grip. Along the way, I knocked over the dining table, spilling the soup that scalded my legs and left them burning red. Even as excruciating pain overwhelmed me, I curled up and collapsed on the floor, trembling uncontrollably. "Sorry! It's just an accident! Look, you wouldn't be hurt if you just stop struggling!" Quentin promptly defended himself even as he whipped out his phone to call an ambulance, pursing his lips apologetically when he saw my tears. "Just hang on. I'll get the doctor…" He hesitantly reached out, intending to pick me up when Kelly cried out in distress from the other side, "Oh, Quen… my stomach hurts so much! Help!" Quentin's face turned pale as he promptly left my side, sprinting away while telling me, "The ambulance will be here soon. I have to check on Kelly first..." Exhausted, I collapsed to the floor when I felt a sharp pain tearing through my abdomen. I reached down and felt the blood streaming down my thighs… My face turning pale, I cried, "Quentin! The baby… The baby's hurt…" Quentin turned to look at me, not seeing the blood on the floor as the couch was in the way. He promptly frowned and snapped, "Did you just threaten me with our child?! How dare you curse your own child like that! Well, let me give it to you straight—your cheap tricks won't work on me!" And with that, he scooped Kelly up in his arms and soon disappeared. Even as I lay on the floor, writhing in agony, I pulled out my phone with what strength I had left, calling 911 even as my fingers trembled…

Chapter 7 Chapter 7

I woke up to the sharp scent of disinfectant filling my nostrils. I jerked up, instinctively reaching out to feel my stomach, and was left thunderstruck when I felt flatness. My baby! Where was my baby?! Even as my face turned pale, and I was about to get out of bed, a nurse hurried into the room toward me, handing a tiny bundle into my arms. My fingers were trembling as I looked down, my heart calming when I saw my baby's sweet little face. - Meanwhile, Quentin was pacing around restlessly in another end of the hospital after rushing Kelly over—the sight of me collapsing on the floor and crying out in pain seemed to echo in his mind. There was a dull ache in his heart, the sense of foreboding only growing stronger as my tear- covered face was all he could think about. A trace of guilt would show on his face as he vividly remembered the way I fell so violently and got burned. And I was pregnant too, but he simply walked away despite my clear distress. Even so, whenever he reached for his phone, Kelly would lean on him, clutching her belly and gasping in pain. "My tummy hurts… What should I do if the baby gets hurt? I honestly just wanted to apologize… I didn't know she would snap at me like that." And with that, Quentin put down his phone and assured her, "It's not your fault—I've spoilt her too much. I'll make sure she changes that attitude." Still, he hung his head and sighed in regret. "It's true that she shouldn't have hurt you, but she got her just deserts when she got hurt too. If anything, it's my fault—she's pregnant too, and I should've been more considerate of her. If I had been, then maybe she wouldn't have been so upset." Seeing that Quentin really felt guilt over what he did to me, Kelly's eyes briefly flashed in resentment. Still, she soon sighed miserably as she said, "I didn't want to tell you, but I think Jolin might be insane. She threatened me to leave, or she'd kill my baby..." Quentin did a double take, as he knew for a fact that I wasn't that ruthless. That was when Kelly simply showed him his phone, and what good opinion he had of me vaporized as he dropped it angrily. Still, he reasoned, "Maybe her hormones are causing her to be so emotionally unstable during her pregnancy, and that's why she'd go that far. Don't worry, as long as I'm around, she won't hurt you or the baby… If she dares try anything, I'll kick her out of my house." Behind Quentin, Kelly smiled triumphantly again. - A couple of days later, I arrived at the airport, holding Bonnie, my baby, tightly in my arms. When my flight departure was announced, I boarded the plane without looking back. Meanwhile, Quentin and Kelly stayed in the hospital for a week, and once they were sure Kelly was fine, they returned home together. However, Quentin opened the door to find the house strangely empty, all my possessions nowhere to be found. His face dropping, he whipped out his phone and finally called me, but all he heard was static beeping. He snorted angrily, thinking that I was just being petty and hiding from him. We had been together for so long after all—he'd never believe that I would give up on us so easily. However, when I still didn't return after another week, Quentin started to panic. He would call me repeatedly, but the number remained dead. After searching the whole city but still finding no sign of me, he finally broke down and sent all his men to find me. Eventually, one of them arrived gingerly with a report and some documents. "Sir, you're officially divorced, so you're not legally allowed to call for a search… There's even copies of divorce papers with your signature on it.""What?!" Quentin exclaimed, incredulous. Seeing that he was ready to kill, the man quickly added, "But wait! I've already searched for her and found her name registered on an airline manifest. She left the city on Flight WB123 just two weeks ago, but it crashed with no survivors… I think we lost her, sir." Quentin was left standing there, thunderstruck.

Chapter 8 Chapter 8

Soon after I disembarked, I found my mother searching the crowd anxiously. Her hair had turned fully white, making her look much older. As she saw me, tears streamed down her face as she rushed over and hugged me fiercely. "Jo… you're finally home." My nose felt runny, and my tears nearly gushed out as my father had come too. He smiled, but he was clearly fighting back tears too. "As long as you're home, Jo. Everything's going to be alright.""Mom… Dad, I'm home." I hugged both of them as tight as I could, tears streaming down my face. It had been three years since I last saw them—I had cut ties from them, traveling to that faraway city just to be with Quentin. Even so, they didn't complain even though I was returning as a single mother, and my mother was still hugging me and gently tousling my hair. "It's alright, Jo," she assured me with her soft voice. "It's okay for your baby to live with us without her father. We'll take good care of her from now on. You have us—no one will ever dare to hurt you." My father nodded. "Yes, nothing is impossible for a family that stays together." Their words left my heart overflowing with warmth, and I felt as if all the weariness that was building up for so long was quickly swept away. We got home together, and I was about to sleep when I saw Quentin on the news. His face was haggard, and his eyes pleading as he gripped the microphone and pleaded, "Jolin, I'm begging you, please come home. "I've been searching for you, and I won't give up. "I know I made a mistake—please just give me a chance to make things right, for you and our child." I turned off the TV, impassive. After all, I understood that when he chose to protect Kelly, all the promises he had made to me before had gone up in smoke. Still, just as I was about to return to my room to sleep, my phone vibrated. I picked it up and saw several messages from Kelly. [So, you're at least smart enough to get lost.] [Quentin and I are made for each other.] There was also a photo captioned: [Here—check out the dinner Quentin made for me. Doesn't it look delicious?] In the photo, Quentin had an apron around his waist, and he was smiling at her dotingly as he fed her soup. Still, I remained unaffected as I read the messages—such provocation meant nothing to me right now. Blocking Kelly's number, I toss my phone aside—someone as frivolous as her just wasn't worth my time. - After getting enough rest, I heard downstairs and quickly picked up a scent of scrumptious food wafting from the kitchen. My mother saw me and beamed. "Come here, Jo! Let's eat." I nodded and sat down at the dining table, while she served me a bowl of soup and said softly, "By the way, we've got you a nutritionist who will supervise your postpartum care. And since your baby is still too young, we also got a nanny. We have to make sure she grows up healthy and happy." My father nodded solemnly. "Just focus on resting for now, since you just got home. In a few days, you can start working and familiarize yourself with the family business. It will eventually be passed down to you anyway." Their words left my heart gushing with warmth once more. I had once given up my career and my family for Quentin, but now, I finally understand that only my own family loved me unconditionally. - With my parents' help, my daughter grew up energetic and adorable, while I gradually adapted myself to the family business' operations and began to make my mark. Naturally, the shareholders were initially skeptical of my leadership, presuming that a young woman like me would have trouble managing a company. I didn't argue, but simply carried on quietly and proved myself with my achievements, including securing a multi-billion dollar contract abroad. As the company raked in billions, no one dared to question me, while my career took off, my position in the company solidifying. One day, my father called me into his study, studying me hesitantly as he said, "There's something we need to discuss…""What is it?" I asked, puzzled. My father scratched his head and chuckled as he said, "Well, your mom and I found someone who we think would suit you. He comes from an illustrious family, is young, and has a promising career ahead of him. "Anyway, your mom and I are quite satisfied with him, and we think you two should meet. If you think he's good, you can try things out with him…" Seeing my silence, he quickly clapped a hand on my shoulder and assured me, "But don't feel pressured. You can just say no—we're just hoping that you'd have more people watching your back, so you'll have someone backing you up in the future." I smiled wryly, not quite sure how to react. I knew my parents were worried about me, and that I no longer believed in love after Quentin had hurt me so terribly. They just wanted me to start over by arranging a meeting with a marriage prospect, but right now, I'd rather focus on my career. I simply wasn't in the mood for love. With that in mind, I smiled at my father. "Thanks, Dad, but I'm not ready to get back in the game yet. I know you have my best intentions in mind, but I'd like to move on at my own pace." My father nodded and tousled my hair lovingly. "That's fine. You're an adult now—it's fine that you have your own opinions on things, and you have our full support as long as it makes you happy."