Chapter 4

Anna's eyes darkened, without the domineering attitude typical of the other woman in a web novel.

All she showed was heartbreak in her eyes, and she forced a bitter smile. "Who am I to him? How could I ever ask him to divorce you?"

Hearing her say that, I couldn't help but find it a little funny.

People always think that anyone bold enough to barge into someone else's life must be full of ambition and arrogance.

But honestly, most of them are pretending to be all soft and meek.

I lowered my gaze, my tone almost icy. "You don't have to put on this act.

"If you really knew me, you'd know I'm not interested in competing with other women. What's the point of fighting over a man?

"If you want him, say it. He's all yours."

Seeing Anna freeze, I let a faint smile play on my lips and spoke softly. "I didn't become the head of a top pharmaceutical company's clinical program by fighting over men. I got here by taking over their territory."

Anna's eyes widened in disbelief, and after a long pause, she finally asked, her voice trembling. "Is Henry a stepping stone to you? What do you mean by that?

"He's an outstanding doctor with a promising future, and he married you, a pharmaceutical sales rep. You owe all your success to him, don't you? And you still don't appreciate it? Yet you stand here, saying all this without the slightest bit of shame."

Honestly, her words caught me off guard.

Because she underestimated me far too much.

I said, "Anna, I'm running clinical trials for three new drug categories, with over thirty million dollars in annual drug approval quotas, and I control the key data and main funding channel for the hospital's academic development next year.

"Why don't you ask Henry yourself if he's the hospital's rising star because he's riding my coattails?

"And do you really think an ordinary doctor like Henry could mobilize top specialists and medical resources to get your kid treated?"

Anna froze again, trying to process what I'd said.

Henry and two pediatric specialists walked over to us.

Henry's expression soured, clearly pissed off after overhearing my words.

Trying to act like he was still in control, Henry frowned at me and asked, "Did you pack up your stuff at home?"

I smiled, not bothered at all. "Of course not. That place isn't my home anymore."

Henry froze for a second, then his voice got louder.

He said, "A friend needed a little help from me. Do you have to be this suspicious? Dr. Grant and the others were all there, you can ask them if I overstepped. If I had something, would I bring it to the hospital.

"Anna and I have known each other since we were kids. If there was really something going on between us, do you think you'd even be here right now?

"Isabel, come on, think about it. Why are you getting so paranoid because you're pregnant?"

Funny.

Like that, with a few words, I was suddenly painted as the crazy, jealous wife, blame it all on the pregnancy hormones.

Seeing me stay silent, Henry was clearly getting impatient. "Okay, okay, take Dad home first. We'll talk about it at home."

I gave a mocking laugh, shook off Hale's arm, and looked Henry straight in the eye. "Henry, are you really going to do this?"

I always thought a husband and wife were supposed to be a team. All this time, I've been covering for him, trying to protect his reputation.

But he still has no problem throwing me under the bus in front of everyone.

Guess I've been way too good to him all these years.

He paused for a moment, then locked eyes with me, his gaze unwavering. "I'm not going to say it again. Go home."

I smiled.

I raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong, Henry? Think pregnancy means I can't leave? Think maternity leave strips my power? You became associate chief physician and forgot you bootlicked your way up?"

Henry's expression soured, and he glanced around, clearly uncomfortable as the crowd kept growing.

He grabbed my arm and whispered, "Isabel, do you really have to make things so awkward?"

Then he turned to Hale and snapped, "Are you going to let her throw a tantrum here? This is my workplace. I'm the father of her baby."

Hale, hearing Henry's words, leaned in and whispered to me, trying to calm me down.

"Izzy, that's enough, don't stir things up here. Let's go home, we can sort it out there. Remember, you're pregnant, don't forget about the baby. Out here, you should let him keep a little dignity in front of everyone," Hale said.

At that moment, I suddenly felt like I was about to lose it.

I looked at the group of clueless doctors, at Henry, clearly pissed off, and at Hale, still trying to talk me down.

All I wanted to do was cry.

It suddenly dawned on me, everything he did, all those so-called sacrifices, weren't for me at all.

It was all about him.

About his precious ego.

I wanted to curse out Hale.

But I just couldn't bring myself to say anything cruel to the man who'd sacrificed so much to raise me and pay for my education.

I staggered, not knowing where I belonged.

As I was about to fall, a pair of strong hands caught me.

It was Robert.