Chapter 2

Sylvia's POV

I put on my mask, struggling to maintain my professional composure.

Walking into the room, I gently placed my stethoscope on Cecilia's swollen belly.

The fetal heartbeat was clear and strong, each beat like a hammer pounding on my heart.

Cecilia unconsciously stroked the enormous pink diamond ring on her ring finger. I recognized it.

The news had once reported that this pink diamond was the finale piece at an auction, purchased by a certain tycoon at an astronomical price.

At the time, I didn't know the "Mr. Hope" in the news was my husband.

I'd even joked with him about it.

"Other people's Mr. Hope can spend astronomical sums with a wave of his hand. Too bad my Mr. Hope is just an ordinary office worker. What he earns isn't even enough for household expenses."

How had Hudson responded?

His hands had explored me with burning heat, his kisses falling like urgent rain.

"Hm? Who are you saying can't measure up? Is your Mr. Hope better, or are other men better?"

I couldn't resist in his embrace and could only beg for mercy.

"It's you! Of course you're better!"

"Dr. Winters, your technique is so gentle. It doesn't hurt at all."

Cecilia's voice pulled me back to reality.

"Hudson always says I'm too delicate."

The nurse beside her immediately flattered her.

"Mrs. Hope, you're so blessed. Mr. Hope treasures you. I heard this VIP suite was specially renovated for you-even the air purification system is top-of-the-line."

I couldn't imagine that Hudson had such a gentle and considerate side with someone else.

Seeing that I seemed distracted, Cecilia raised her eyebrows smugly.

"He's just too nervous. I said I could just rest at home, but he insisted this place has the best medical facilities and reserved an entire floor for me. Tell me, isn't he making too big a deal of this?"

I forced myself to focus on the examination.

But each fetal heartbeat felt like torture to what remained of my sanity.

I didn't even notice my mask had slipped down.

Cecilia's sharp cry jolted me awake.

"Ah! Sylvia!"

I instinctively stepped back.

Her pitying gaze swept over me inch by inch, finally landing on my scarred right hand.

"How did Dr. Winters end up in New York? Can your hand still hold a scalpel?"

"You don't know, do you? I'm pregnant with Hudson's child. Back then he almost imprisoned me because of you, but now he loves me to death."

Her smugness was particularly glaring, especially when she looked provocatively at my injured hand. Anger and humiliation nearly overwhelmed me.

Hudson.

The man who would calculate the exact time to remind me to eat when I worked night shifts, who would prepare surprises when I complained about being tired.

He'd actually married the woman who nearly destroyed my career.

To save money, I couldn't even afford to take cabs to work, commuting over two hours each day.

Yet for Cecilia, he could reserve an entire VIP floor.

How ridiculous! How ironic!

Every moment of the past five years now turned into swords, piercing my heart, the pain so intense I could barely stand.

"Miss Cecilia,"

I struggled to stay calm.

"The fetal development indicators are currently normal."

Just then, Hudson's call came through.

Cecilia raised her eyebrows and put it on speakerphone.

Hudson's voice came through the phone.

"Cici, I'm sorry. I was busy with meetings today and couldn't accompany you to your checkup. To make it up to you, I bought you a mansion. I know you'll love it."

"How could I be angry?"

Cecilia watched my expression.

"You're the one who can't go back on your word."

The tone on the phone was filled with a tenderness I'd never heard before.

I stiffly left the hospital room, didn't even change clothes, and took a cab directly to Hudson's company.

I needed answers!

But just as I reached the door and was about to push it open, I heard the conversation inside.

"Mr. Hope, you're so lucky!"

"The gentle Cici in New York is pregnant with your child, and in London you have a dutiful wife keeping your little nest warm for you. You're a real winner in life!"

Everyone chuckled in agreement.

Someone asked, "Hudson, aren't you afraid Sylvia will find out you have a family in New York?"

Hudson's voice was cold, devoid of any warmth.

"She'll never know."

"That she got to be with me for five years, even if it's a fake marriage, is Sylvia's good fortune."

My whole body went numb with cold. I don't even remember how I left.

As soon as I got downstairs, I received a call from a friend.

"Sylvia, how are things in New York? I heard the work there is very demanding."

He paused, then asked tentatively,

"It's been five years-are you still unwilling to come develop your career in Australia?"

If this were before, I definitely would have refused.

Compared to my career, I wanted a stable, happy family more.

But at this moment, I heard my own voice, unusually clear.

"Gabriel, in seven days, I'll see you in Australia."

"I'm willing to sign a permanent contract with your hospital, on the condition that you help me erase all my identity information domestically."