Chapter 2

Lynn's POV

On the phone, Professor Cooper's tone was serious.

"This is a national level polar research program that will last at least five years. During that time, complete confidentiality is required. You cannot have any contact with the outside world. This means you must completely sever past social relationships, including your family. Have you thought this through?"

I gripped the phone tightly.

"I've thought it through very clearly."

"But you previously declined three important overseas research opportunities to stay with Adrian. Now you want to leave for five years. Are you really willing?"

Willing?

What was there to miss?

My heart was dead. There was nothing left here worth cherishing.

I lowered my eyes dimly.

"Professor Cooper, Adrian and I have already signed divorce papers. The documents will be processed soon, so you don't need to have these concerns."

"Alright, I understand. Departure is on the fifth of next month. I'll send the relevant materials and confidentiality agreement to your email. Once you sign, there's no backing out."

After the call ended, Professor Cooper quickly sent the email. Without hesitation, I signed my name on the confidentiality agreement.

After signing, my phone screen went dark, reflecting my pale, gaunt face.

My beginning with Adrian was at an academic summit.

He was a young investor invited to attend. I was a new researcher brought along by my advisor to gain experience.

He was handsome and brilliant, with exceptional eloquence, yet showed tremendous patience and interest in the somewhat reserved me, initiating conversation.

His way of pursuing me was low-key but thoughtful.

He remembered literature I'd mentioned in passing, and when my experiments hit bottlenecks, he offered unexpected perspectives from his businessman's way of thinking.

He said he'd never met a girl like me. Pure, persistent, intelligent, like a rough diamond, already shining from within, making people want to protect her.

He asked if I could give him a chance to be my protector.

So I uncontrollably fell for him, dove in headfirst.

After marriage, we had a sweet period.

Until shortly after I discovered I was pregnant, I accidentally overheard an intense argument between Adrian and his mother outside the study in the old mansion.

"What's wrong with Lynn? Clean family background, highly educated professional, good reputation, impressive credentials. In what way is she not good enough for you? In what way is she not good enough for the Blackwood family?"

"But I don't love her! You've always known who my heart belongs to!"

"Precisely because I know, I can't let you be foolish! I'm telling you. Either have a proper marriage with Lynn, or tomorrow I'll send Melissa somewhere you'll never find her!"

That's when I learned that Adrian's initiative in approaching me, marrying me, was merely the Blackwood family's way of covering up the scandal of his romantic relationship with his adopted sister.

In that moment I finally understood why every time Adrian and I were together, Melissa always found various excuses to call him away from my side.

But even then I deceived myself, fantasizing that if I loved him enough, I could eventually find my way into his heart.

Yet now, reality not only slapped me hard in the face but took my daughter's life.

This belated awakening made me understand what heart-piercing pain truly meant.

Two days later, I handled the discharge procedures alone and returned to the villa.

I found a large cardboard box and sorted out everything I didn't need, placing it all in the box.

Carrying the packed box outside the villa to the garbage bins, I threw it out with a single motion.

Just then, urgent braking sounds suddenly rang out.

"What are you throwing away?"

Adrian got out of his car and quickly approached.

He then saw the cardboard box by the garbage bin filled with various items I'd treasured.

Like the movie tickets from our first date, like small gifts he occasionally brought me from business trips, like photos from our honeymoon, and so on.

There was even my diary.

"Lynn, have you lost your mind?"

Adrian's pupils contracted. He looked at me incredulously.

"You've always treasured these things. What does suddenly throwing them all away mean?"