Chapter 1

The day I was discharged from the hospital, Charles Sterling came to pick me up. He brought my favorite cake and divorce papers.

Without a hint of remorse on his face, he said, "Julia is coming back from overseas, so..."

I looked down at the divorce papers, which stated that the company would belong to him, while all other assets would belong to me and our child.

That was excellent. It was precisely what I wanted.

Still, I feigned displeasure, furrowing my brow slightly. "Charles, we worked hard to build this company together over the years. Are you really that eager to kick me out?"

Charles pushed a pen toward me. "You know we only started the company to fulfill Julia's dream. So, other than the company, everything else is yours."

I took the pen from his hand and signed the papers instantly, worried he might change his mind.

My lack of tears or protest seemed to genuinely surprise him. "Does our four-year marriage mean nothing to you?"

I glanced at the baby in my arms, then gave him a small smile. "I wish you and Ms. Bennett a lifetime of happiness."

*****

After leaving the hospital, Charles drove me straight to the courthouse. As we finalized the divorce decree, I caught a glimpse of real happiness flickering across his face, a look I hadn't seen in years.

He turned to me. "I need to go home later, pack my stuff, and move out."

"Sure, no problem," I said evenly.

Charles studied me. "You're not like you used to be."

"How so?" I tilted my head and gave him a bright smile.

"I thought you might..." He hesitated.

"What, throw a fit? Beg you to stay? Or use the baby to guilt you into staying?" I gave him a lighthearted grin. "You should get going. Ms. Bennett's flight is tonight, right? Wouldn't want to keep her waiting."

By the time we got home, it was already evening. The nanny had put the baby to sleep, and Charles stood there staring at him, looking dazed. "Have you thought of a name for him yet?"

I couldn't help but laugh inside. His mind was halfway to the airport, yet he was pretending to play the doting father.

Still, I kept my composure and answered, "Ethan Evans."

Charles frowned. "Ethan Evans? He's a Sterling."

I gave him a cool smile. "A Sterling? The divorce agreement clearly says he's mine."

Then I added, "But you'll always be his dad. When he's older, if you ever want to see him, I won't stop you."

Charles sighed, a flicker of guilt finally crossing his face. "Thanks, Claire. I'll make sure you get all the child support."

"Don't bother," I said firmly. "I can raise him myself. You should focus on chasing your happiness."

Charles glanced at his phone. "All right, then. Goodbye."

"Okay. Goodbye," I replied calmly.

I waved him off and slowly closed the door behind him. As it shut, a wave of relief washed over me. He was finally out of my life, and it felt incredible.

After Charles left, I blocked him everywhere and immediately listed all three of my houses online, pricing each one about five percent below market value.

The buyers came quickly. I used the proceeds from two of them to buy a place outright in a good school district, put the rest into the bank to earn interest, and kept enough cash aside, ready for the day I made my comeback.

Then, out of nowhere, I got a call from an unknown number. "Is this Claire? It's me, Julia."

I was bewildered. Why on earth would Julia Bennett be calling me?

Nevertheless, I answered slowly, "Yeah, it's me. What's going on?"

Her voice was urgent. "It's Charles... He just got into a car accident. Our blood types don't match. Can you come donate blood to him?"

She had to be kidding me.

Charles and I had been divorced for nearly six months.

I'd heard he married Julia the very next day after we split.

So now that he needed blood, she was calling me? What was I, his spare part?

"Sorry, Ms. Bennett, but Charles and I have nothing to do with each other anymore. You came to the wrong person," I said coldly.

Her voice turned pitiful, trembling. "But I just got back from overseas. I don't know anyone else here. You're the only one I can turn to. Please, I'm begging you; save him!"

Just got back? And I was the only one she knew? Please.

Honestly, Julia had skin thicker than a brick wall.

"Ms. Bennett, maybe you've been abroad so long you've lost touch with reality. Charles doesn't have a rare blood type—the blood bank's got plenty. You should talk to a doctor, not me." And with that, I hung up without another word.