I signed the divorce papers, but Adrian Caldwell thought it was a gift I wanted. After he signed, he pretended to be affectionate and pinched my cheek. “For the baby, I’ll give you anything you want.” He didn’t know our child had already died on the night he accompanied his first love to watch the meteor shower. Those hundred and one missed calls-he dismissed them with “I had work to do.” Later, I stood on the Nobel Prize stage while he lay in a liver cancer ward. His final wish was to see me one last time. I brought my new husband with me. Clarissa Hart POV I had just finished watering the white roses on the windowsill when the lawyer called. “Clarissa, the divorce papers have been sent out as you instructed. Please keep an eye out for them.” “Alright.” I hung up and ran my fingertips over the damp leaves. The doorbell rang. The courier handed me an envelope. I signed for it. The moment I closed the door, the smart lock beeped from the entryway. Adrian was home. He walked up to me and bent down, pressing his cheek against my flat stomach. “I’m back.” His voice was low, laced with exhaustion and apology. “I’ve been so busy these past few days. Didn’t have time to reply to your messages.” I felt his warm breath penetrate my thin loungewear and touch my skin. “Has our baby been good?” I lowered my eyes, looking at the crown of his head. I didn’t move. “Adrian.” I spoke. The man looked up, confusion in his eyes. It had been a long time since I’d called him by his full name. I didn’t meet his gaze. I turned, picked up the envelope from the entryway table, tore open the seal, and pulled out the document inside. I flipped to the last page, covered the terms with my palm, and left only the signature line at the bottom exposed. “This is the gift I want,” I said. “A gift for after the baby is born.” Adrian froze for a moment, then smiled. He took the pen, didn’t even glance at what I’d covered, and signed his name without a second thought. After signing, he returned the document and pen to me, affectionately pinching my cheek. “Once I give it to you, it’s yours,” he said with a soft laugh. “I’m not afraid you’ll take everything I own.” I looked at his name on the paper and found it absurd. I didn’t want everything he owned. I wanted freedom. Just then, the phone in Adrian’s pocket began to vibrate. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen, the light illuminating his face. Caller ID: Seraphina Quinn. His expression didn’t change. He immediately pressed the power button to silence it and put the phone back in his pocket. “Something urgent at the company,” he said, standing up and adjusting his shirt cuffs. “I’ll go handle it in the study.” He walked toward the study. After two steps, he stopped as if suddenly remembering something. “By the way, why did you call me so many times the other day?” I looked up at him. “It was nothing.” Adrian didn’t press further. He turned and went into the study, closing the door behind him. I was alone in the living room. I looked down at the divorce papers in my hands. Adrian’s signature-sharp and decisive, just like the man himself. Nothing. How could it be nothing? Five days ago, I was driving in the rain when my car skidded and crashed into the guardrail on the elevated highway. Blood flowed from between my legs, staining the light-colored seat. I lay in the ambulance, waves of pain tearing through my abdomen. The baby was slipping away. With trembling hands, I dialed Adrian’s number. I just wanted him to come see the baby one last time. First call: no answer. Second call: no answer. Tenth call. Fiftieth call. One hundred and first call. On the other end, only the mechanical voice of voicemail. Finally, the phone died. I lay on the hospital bed, the sheets cold and hard beneath me. The doctor announced that the baby was gone. As I listened, my heart grew strangely calm. I finally understood. Adrian wasn’t busy. He just didn’t care. While he was rejecting all my calls, he was accompanying his newly returned first love, Seraphina, to an astronomical observatory outside the city to watch a once-in-a-century meteor shower. Seraphina’s Instagram had photos to prove it. In the photo, Seraphina leaned on Adrian’s shoulder, smiling sweetly. The caption read: The meteors are beautiful, and so are you. After four years of marriage, I’d always thought that even if Adrian didn’t love me, at least he liked me. It wasn’t until that moment that I saw the truth. I was just a substitute for Seraphina. A shadow he used to ease his loneliness after his first love went abroad. Now, the original had returned. It was time for the substitute to exit the stage. I picked up the signed divorce papers and gently ran my fingers over the ink that hadn’t yet dried.
Clarissa Hart POV Adrian went into the study. I picked up my phone and called the lawyer back. “He signed.” The lawyer on the other end was clearly surprised, then recovered his professional composure. “That fast?” He paused. “Without expediting, it will take two months to complete all procedures and obtain the divorce decree. Regarding the division of joint assets, we can start drafting a detailed plan at any time.” “No need,” I said. “I’m waiving all property claims. I just want the divorce.” “Miss Hart, are you sure? Based on your prenuptial agreement and the appreciation of your marital assets, you could at least-” “I’m sure.” I cut him off. “Just follow the standard process, Mr. Cooper.” “Alright.” That night, Adrian slept in the study. Early the next morning, Adrian emerged from the study already dressed in a perfectly tailored custom suit. “There’s an urgent early meeting at the company today. I can’t go with you to your prenatal checkup.” He adjusted his tie as he spoke, his tone apologetic. “I’ll bring you your favorite tiramisu tonight to make up for it.” I almost laughed out loud. Prenatal checkup? The baby was gone. What hospital would I go to for a prenatal checkup? On the day of the miscarriage, the doctor told me to stay on bed rest, but I checked myself out less than twenty-four hours after admission. Adrian still didn’t know about any of this. But I just nodded. Adrian finished tying his tie, examined himself in the mirror, and once everything looked perfect, he habitually pointed to his cheek, signaling for me to come over. For four years of marriage, I’d kissed his cheek every morning before he left. I didn’t move. “You’re going to be late,” I said. Adrian paused, turned to look at me, and shook his head with a smile, thinking I was still upset about him sleeping in the study last night. “I’m leaving then.” I went back to my room to change, then took a cab to MIT. It was my alma mater, a place I’d been away from for four whole years. Everything was the same as I remembered, yet somehow different. When I arrived, a lecture in the auditorium had just ended. I walked against the flow of people and heard students around me discussing excitedly and admiringly. “Professor Hudson is incredible. No wonder he’s the youngest tenured professor in the field.” “Yeah, he’s even more handsome in person than in photos. That scholarly demeanor is just mesmerizing.” “During the Q&A, he cited literature I’d never even heard of. I need to go home and catch up on my reading.” I walked into the gradually emptying auditorium and immediately spotted the man surrounded by students and several instructors near the podium. Callum Hudson. He wore a simple white shirt and casual pants, patiently answering the last student’s question. Compared to his student days, he’d shed some youthfulness and gained the composure and confidence of a mature scholar. I was about to leave and contact him later when he had time. The moment I turned around, Callum looked up. His gaze cut through the crowd and found me instantly. The joy in his eyes was unmistakable. He apologized to the students and colleagues around him, squeezed through the crowd, and walked quickly toward me. “Clarissa? Is it really you?” “Callum.” I smiled. After brief pleasantries, I got straight to the point. “Callum, I want to join your research institute.” Callum was stunned, immense joy flooding his eyes. “Of course! If you’re willing to come back, our advisor will be thrilled.” He looked at me, his eyes full of undisguised regret and sympathy. “You were the most gifted student in our department. Everyone thought you’d win the Nobel that year. Then your family forced you to give up your doctorate and walk away from condensed matter physics, all for business and an arranged marriage.” His tone was bitter, indignant on my behalf. “And now?” he asked with some concern. “Your family… will he agree to this?” “I’m getting divorced,” I said. “But it’ll take two months to finalize everything. After that, I can report to the research institute abroad.” “Good.” Callum smiled. “I’ll wait for you.”
Clarissa Hart POV A soft laugh interrupted us. Adrian appeared at the auditorium entrance without warning. He walked over slowly, still wearing that expensive suit, but his face no longer held the warmth from this morning. His expression was dark, his gaze fixed on Callum. For the first time, I saw such undisguised jealousy and possessiveness in his eyes. I was confused. The person he loved was Seraphina. Why bother putting on this devoted act in front of me? “Care to introduce us?” Adrian walked to my side, positioning himself between me and Callum. “This is my friend, Callum, a physics professor at MIT.” After the introduction, I pointed to Adrian, my tone flat. “This is my husband, Adrian Caldwell.” The two men shook hands with composed expressions. But I noticed that when they released their grip, both had clear red marks on the backs of their hands. “Professor Hudson, I’ve heard so much about you.” Adrian smiled without warmth. “I didn’t realize my wife was so close to you that she’d make a special visit when returning to campus.” “You’re too kind, Mr. Caldwell. Clarissa is a once-in-a-century genius in our physics department. We’re friends.” Callum was neither humble nor arrogant, his gaze straightforward. “Callum, I need to go. We’ll be in touch later.” Sensing the uncomfortable atmosphere, I took the initiative to say goodbye to Callum. Adrian and I left side by side without looking back. I didn’t want to cause him trouble, so I didn’t see the loneliness and concern in Callum’s eyes after we turned away. Adrian and I walked out of the auditorium into the sunlight, but the chill radiating from him didn’t dissipate. “What were you doing here?” Adrian demanded coldly. “I just felt like visiting the campus,” I said vaguely, then countered, “What about you? Was your urgent early meeting held at MIT?” Adrian didn’t answer. His expression grew even darker. We reached the parking lot. I habitually walked toward the passenger side. Adrian pressed the unlock button. I was about to open the door. The window slowly rolled down, revealing a delicate, radiant face. It was Seraphina Quinn. She sat in the passenger seat-that position reserved for the lady of the house. My hand froze on the door handle. “I ran into a friend and caught up for a bit,” Adrian said without missing a beat. My gaze landed on the paper bag in his hand. It was red velvet cake from that famous shop behind campus. I remembered it’s was Seraphina’s favorite. His so-called urgent meeting was actually a trip down memory lane with his first love, revisiting their student days together. Seraphina sat in the passenger seat and greeted me proactively, her tone intimate but her posture condescending. “Clarissa, what a coincidence running into you on campus.” She showed no intention of giving up her seat. Instead, she watched me with interest, her eyes carrying a subtle challenge. I silently withdrew my hand, opened the rear door, and got in. Throughout the drive, Seraphina chatted and laughed with Adrian as if I weren’t there, reminiscing about their student days. She even took a piece of cake from the bag and held it up to Adrian’s lips. “Ahhh-” She let out a saccharine sound. Adrian instinctively opened his mouth and took a bite. “Ouch, you bit my finger.” Seraphina withdrew her hand with coquettish reproach, though her eyes and expression were full of flirtation. Through the rearview mirror, Adrian saw me in the back seat, expressionless. I sat quietly against the window, my gaze fixed outside. Panic flashed in his eyes. He awkwardly pushed away Seraphina as she leaned in again. “Clarissa, do you want some?” “No, thank you.” Seraphina immediately seized the opportunity. “Adrian went through so much trouble to buy me this cake back in the day.” She laughed, but her eyes locked onto mine through the rearview mirror. “One time the dorm curfew had already locked the doors, but he climbed out the window anyway.” “He ended up hurting his leg in the fall. He limped for a week-all just to buy this for me.” She went on and on, flaunting all the love and devotion Adrian had once shown her. She was waiting for a reaction. Waiting for me to break down, get angry, or show even the slightest hint of jealousy. But I remained silent. I leaned against the window, watching the scenery fly by outside, my thoughts already far away. I was even thinking about what direction to take for my first research paper. My complete lack of reaction made Seraphina’s provocation fall flat. She had no choice but to give up resentfully. She said to Adrian with sarcastic sweetness, “Your wife is so easygoing. So understanding.” Adrian laughed softly, though his grip on the steering wheel tightened. “She’s very docile.”
Clarissa Hart POV We arrived at the villa. “I have a gathering with Seraphina tonight,” Adrian said through the lowered window to my retreating back. “You’re pregnant, so it’s not convenient for you to go to that kind of place. Get some rest early.” I didn’t turn around. I waved my hand and went inside. In the middle of the night, an unknown number called. “Adrian’s drunk. Come pick him up.” It was Seraphina’s voice. She hung up immediately, then sent an address. A top-tier private club. I decided to go. I wanted to see what other tricks Seraphina had up her sleeve. I changed clothes without putting on makeup, got in my car with a bare face, and drove over. When I arrived, several servers stood outside the private room door, seemingly hesitating about whether to go in. Through the half-open door, I could see the gaudy lights and hear the noise inside. Adrian and Seraphina sat on the central sofa surrounded by people, all of them cheering. They were playing a game where they passed playing cards using only their mouths-an intimate, provocative game. Soon, the card reached Seraphina and Adrian. The crowd began whistling and cheering loudly. Seraphina held the card in her mouth, looked at Adrian with hazy eyes, and slowly moved closer. Closer, even closer. The card fluttered down. Their lips touched. The cheers grew louder, almost lifting the roof. Adrian didn’t push her away. Under the influence of alcohol, he even reached out, cupped the back of Seraphina’s head, and deepened the kiss. His eyes were closed, his expression intoxicated and wild-a look I’d never seen before. I stood outside the door watching him like this, and my heart went completely cold. I was about to leave quietly when Seraphina chased after me, as if she’d known I was there all along. “Did you see?” Seraphina stood before me, triumph written on her face. “Adrian has always loved me. He only married you because your face resembles mine a little, and you’re more docile and easier to control than I am.” She leaned close, her voice dropping very low. “I advise you to abort the baby and get lost while you still can. Otherwise, when he gets tired of you, you’ll be thrown out without a penny and become a laughingstock.” I asked expressionlessly, “Does Adrian know that the ‘girl’ he’s cherished and loved for years is someone as two-faced as you?” With that, I ignored the shock and anger on Seraphina’s face, walked past her, and entered the private room. The room fell silent at once. Everyone stared at me, this uninvited guest who’d suddenly barged in, their expressions varied. I kept my eyes forward, walked to Adrian’s side, and helped up the man who was too drunk to know where he was. His body was heavy, most of his weight pressing on me. I supported him, turned, and left without looking at anyone else. Back in the car, I dumped Adrian into the passenger seat. He leaned against the seat back, mumbling Seraphina’s name incoherently. “Seraphina… don’t go…” I gripped the steering wheel, started the car, and stared at the dark road ahead. “Just wait a little longer.” Just wait a little longer, and I’d be free. When Adrian woke up, his head was splitting. He only had vague memories of the previous night. He only remembered drinking a lot, and that I seemed to have picked him up later. “I didn’t do anything inappropriate last night, did I?” He rubbed his temples, asking nervously. I was changing in the walk-in closet. Hearing this, I just shook my head calmly. “No, you fell asleep after getting drunk.” I finished changing and prepared to go out. “Where are you going?” Adrian grabbed my arm. My coldness unsettled him. “To see Callum.” Adrian’s face immediately darkened. “Stay away from him,” he warned. “Men understand men best. The way he looks at you isn’t right.” I found it ridiculous and retorted, “You look at Seraphina the same way.” Adrian was speechless for a moment. He released my arm irritably, but his tone remained forceful. “I didn’t bring you tiramisu yesterday, so I prepared something else for you…” His words trailed off. A document slid out from the drawer he’d pulled open and fluttered to the floor at his feet. It was the signed divorce papers.
Clarissa Hart POV Adrian was about to look at what it was, but I moved faster. Before he could read the title, I’d already bent down to pick up the document, clutching it tightly to my chest. I protected the document like a treasure. Remembering how I’d held the papers last night, Adrian blurted out, “This is the gift I want.” He laughed, thinking I just cared about this gift that proved his love. “Once I give it to you, it’s yours. Why are you so nervous about it?” I breathed a silent sigh of relief and quickly changed the subject. “What gift were you talking about?” Only then did Adrian remember the actual matter. He pulled out a set of keys from the drawer and dangled them in front of me, a delicate metal pendant hanging from them. “Come with me.” The car drove to a standalone mansion in the wealthy district on the east side of the city. “You said the old house was too oppressive, that you didn’t like it,” Adrian said, leading me inside. “This place is decorated entirely according to your taste.” The house had a modern minimalist design with large expanses of white space and clean lines. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the backyard was filled with white roses. My favorite flower-quiet and pure. He led me upstairs and pushed open the door next to the master bedroom. Inside was a nursery. The walls were a soft beige, thick wool carpet covered the floor, and an oak crib sat in the corner with a handmade cosmic mobile hanging above it. Adrian embraced me from behind, his voice low and tender. “In the future, our child will live here.” He painted an imaginary future. “Let’s give them a name that combines both of ours. As a symbol of our connection. How does that sound?” I listened, looking at everything before me. This should have been the home I’d always dreamed of-with an adorable child and a husband who loved me. If all this had happened before the miscarriage, I would have been moved. But now. Tears fell hot on the back of my hand. Adrian seemed to notice I was trembling. He turned me around to face him, only to see my face streaming with tears. He thought I was moved. He smiled and reached out to wipe my tears. “Silly girl, why are you crying? Don’t you like it?” “Adrian, so this is where you are.” A voice interrupted, breaking the moment between us. Seraphina walked in as if she’d happened to pass by. She surveyed the house, her eyes full of undisguised admiration. “This house is beautiful.” She walked straight to Adrian’s side, linked her arm through his, and made her demand. “I just got back to the country and haven’t found a suitable place to live yet. Give it to me, won’t you?” Adrian’s expression became troubled. “Seraphina, this is for Clarissa-a gift for her pregnancy.” “But I really like it, and I’m in urgent need.” Seraphina tugged on his arm and swayed gently, leaning close to his ear to whisper coquettishly, “Adrian, just give it to me. She’s your wife. You can buy her something even better later. I’m just an outsider without even a place to live. How pitiful.” Adrian hesitated. He looked at Seraphina’s expectant, aggrieved eyes, then at me standing silently beside them. He knew I’d be good. I wouldn’t make a fuss. But Seraphina needed him to coax her, needed him to compensate her. A moment later, he made his decision. “Alright.” He agreed to Seraphina’s request. He turned to me with his promise. “Clarissa, I’m sorry. I’ll buy you an even better house later. Let her stay in this one for now. She just got back and it’s inconvenient for her.” He paused, then added another line. “Besides, the baby hasn’t been born yet. There’s no rush.” That sentence completely crushed the last remnant of hope in my heart. Yes, the baby hasn’t been born yet. No. The baby is already dead. Dead the night he took Seraphina to watch the meteor shower.
Clarissa Hart POV I didn’t object. My opinion no longer mattered anyway. After all, the baby was already gone. Seraphina was delighted and suggested treating us to dinner. She made reservations at a French restaurant known for its privacy. Midway through, Adrian received a work call and got up to take it outside. Only the two of us women remained at the table. The moment Adrian left, Seraphina dropped her pretense. She picked up her wine glass and swirled it gently. “See?” Her tone was smug. “Whatever I want, Adrian will give me. Whether it’s a house or the man himself.” She set down the glass, leaned forward, and dropped her voice to a low, vicious whisper. “Clarissa, I’ll advise you one more time-abort the baby yourself and get lost. Otherwise, when he gets tired of you and kicks you out, you’ll become a joke in our entire social circle.” I cut my steak, my movements uninterrupted. I didn’t even look up at Seraphina. I just felt annoyed and too tired to respond to these provocations. My calm came from genuine indifference. My face showed none of the hurt or anger Seraphina had been expecting, which frustrated her deeply. Just then, from the corner of her eye, she saw Adrian hang up the phone and start walking back. She picked up the steaming cup of coffee on the table. Her wrist jerked, and the scalding coffee spilled all over her arm and chest. “Ah!” She let out a short cry. Adrian’s expression changed. He rushed over in several quick strides. Seraphina collapsed into his arms. Her makeup ran with tears that fell in large drops. She couldn’t form complete sentences, only clutched his sleeve and pointed at me with grievance. “Adrian, I didn’t mean to… I just wanted to talk to Clarissa. Is she angry at me about the house…” This statement was a direct accusation. Adrian immediately turned to look at me, his eyes full of questioning and displeasure. I stood up and met his gaze. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t pour it on her.” But Adrian no longer believed me. He looked at Seraphina crying in his arms with her swollen, reddened arm, then at my expressionless face. His mind was already made up. “I know you’re upset, but you shouldn’t hurt people.” He said nothing more, simply scooped Seraphina into his arms and strode out of the restaurant. “To the hospital.” Late at night, Adrian finally came home. He carried the smell of hospital disinfectant mixed with a hint of perfume. His face was set, his expression stern in a way I’d never seen before. “Go apologize to Seraphina.” He stood before me. “The doctor said she has severe burns. They might scar.” I sat on the sofa, looked up stubbornly, and repeated, “I didn’t do it. I won’t apologize.” I looked at him, searching his eyes for even a trace of trust. There was nothing. “The surveillance footage,” I said. “The restaurant has cameras.” Adrian dismissed it as stubbornness and tantrum, not bothering to consider it at all. “Stop being difficult. Come with me to the hospital.” He reached out directly, grabbed my wrist, and tried to pull me up from the sofa. His grip was strong. He yanked me and I stumbled. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to be humiliated again in front of his friends and the woman he loved. “Let go!” I struggled, trying to shake off his hand. My resistance angered him. His grip loosened momentarily. I fell backward from the momentum. Thud. A dull sound. The back of my head slammed into the marble coffee table. Warm liquid slid down from my temple, covering my eyes. Everything in front of me turned blood red. The pain was so intense it went numb. I couldn’t feel it anymore. Adrian saw that shocking red and his pupils contracted violently. He froze, watching me collapse to the floor, bleeding profusely, his mind blank. A few seconds passed before he snapped out of it. He rushed over in a panic and picked me up, his hands and voice both trembling. “Clarissa! Clarissa!”
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