Zachary Conrad's secretary was pregnant.

At the banquet celebrating our ninth wedding anniversary, he brought her back home and casually said, "She's particular. Make sure she gets something different every meal.

"She's jumpy and hates to sleep alone. Pack your things and move to the guest room."

I didn't argue. I picked up the suitcase I had already packed days ago and walked toward the door without a word.

The butler tried to stop me, but Zachary scoffed. "Let her go. She'll come crawling back in three days anyway."

Everyone around us burst out laughing. Right in front of me, they placed a two-million-dollar bet.

They were sure I, Queenie Snowden, would be crying at Zachary's door before the night was over, begging for him to let me in.

But they didn't know that someone had already sent a Maybach to wait outside.

This time, I was leaving for good.

Just as I reached the gate, Zachary called out to me.

"Queenie, leave the crystal bracelet. Ruby has been having nightmares lately."

That bracelet was the last thing I had from my deceased parents.

When he noticed my red eyes, his voice turned cold. "Just name your price."

How much was a nine-year marriage worth when it had always felt worthless?

I didn't bother doing the math.

Back at the ski resort, I refused to lend Ruby Newman my goggles.

Zachary punished me by leaving me stripped and alone on the mountain.

I took off the crystal bracelet and handed it to Ruby. I said to her, "Hope your baby comes into this world safe and sound."

Zachary gave me a rare moment of kindness when he heard my blessing.

"Queenie, as long as you behave, my child will be yours too."

Just as he finished, the bracelet slipped from Ruby's hand and shattered on the floor.

A piece of crystal sliced her leg, and Zachary rushed to scoop her into his arms.

He ordered the butler to call the family doctor right away.

He looked so worried that everyone around started watching me like it was a joke.

They weren't the only ones who found it laughable. Even I thought the whole scene was absurd.

Last night, I had a heart attack. Zachary was getting ready to watch shooting stars with Ruby.

While I lay on the floor foaming at the mouth, he stepped right over me without blinking.

Before I blacked out, I heard him tell the butler, "Clean the living room. I don't want Ruby smelling anything gross when she gets back."

I grabbed the suitcase handle and turned to leave, but he suddenly grabbed my wrist coldly.

"Apologize."

"What..."

Before I could finish, he dragged me down, forcing me to kneel in front of Ruby.

My knees scraped over the shattered crystals, leaving streaks of red on the white floor.

When he saw the blood, he finally let go, his face filled with disgust.

"You broke Ruby's bracelet and made her bleed. Don't you owe her an apology?"

Since I married Zachary, saying sorry has become my habit, almost like breathing.

After saying sorry to Ruby, I turned to him indifferently and asked softly, "Is that enough?"

He stared at the blood on my lips, breathing harder than usual.

"Queenie, my grandpa—the one you always count on—isn't here right now. So who are you trying to fool with that fake helpless act?"

Before I could say anything, the family doctor rushed in.

Zachary shoved me aside without a word and brought the doctor straight to Ruby.

While his eyes were full of nothing but her, I quickly headed toward the door.

The moment I stepped outside the villa, I heard two quick honks.

Spotting the silver car parked by the gate, I sped up.

But just before I could reach it, two bodyguards suddenly showed up and dragged me back inside by force.

In the study, Zachary had me tied up.

He told someone to stick a needle into my arm—one thick like a child's arm.

Through the partly open door, I heard the doctor tell him, "Mr. Conrad, both Mrs. Conrad and Ms. Newman have Rh-negative blood. But Mrs. Conrad has had heart problems since she was little. Taking her blood like this might cause shock.

"Maybe we should go to the hospital first and give Ms. Newman, who's anemic, a transfusion—"

"No more talking."

Zachary cut him off. "Just focus on getting Ruby better. I'll handle everything else."

As I heard him coming closer, I shut my eyes.

"Does it hurt?"

It was rare for him to say anything that sounded gentle.

"Just hang in there. It'll be over soon."

I turned my head away. I didn't want to talk to him.

After losing 800cc of blood, my lips turned ghostly white.

Suddenly, Ruby, who was resting in the main bedroom, let out a cough.

Hearing it, Zachary stopped the doctor from removing the needle and told him to take twice as much blood.

The doctor warned him that doing so might kill me.

Zachary hesitated for a moment, then said, "Ruby is carrying a baby. Her safety comes first."

"But—"

I cut off the doctor and said, "Just take it. Then let me go."

Even though I looked pale, Zachary was pissed off.

Just as he was about to question whether I truly planned to leave him over something so trivial, Ruby softly called, "Zachary... "

Her voice instantly pulled him away.

***

Two days later, I ended up in the hospital after going into shock. When I opened my eyes, I saw Zachary looking over some documents.

Our eyes met and held for a moment.

Without saying anything, he handed me a bowl of congee and tried to feed me.

I turned my head slightly. "I can eat on my own."

He watched as I slowly ate about half the bowl. Then, he asked, "Are you feeling sick?"

I avoided his question and said, "Can you pass me my phone?"

Maybe my tone sounded too distant because he froze for a few seconds before asking the butler to bring it over.

As he glanced at the missed calls on the screen, he suddenly asked, "Who kept calling you?"

Zachary was never the type to ask so many questions.

I felt a bit annoyed and just said, "It's someone you don't know."

Zachary unfastened the top button of his shirt and looked down at me coldly. "Queenie, how much longer are you going to act like some spoiled princess?

"Give you a little space, and now you think you're in charge?"

In the past, when Zachary got upset, I'd usually reflect on what I did wrong and try to comfort him.

But this time, I just pointed at his phone, which was buzzing, and said flatly, "Ruby is calling."

His eyes lit up right away, and as usual, he avoided me and stepped out into the corridor.

As soon as he left, my phone rang. I picked it up, and before I could say anything, the person on the other end started speaking fast.

"You promised to come find me, remember? Queenie, do you regret it?"

"No, I just ran into a small issue."

"Issue? What happened? Forget it, I'm flying back to America—"

I cut him off mid-sentence, lowering my gaze and pursing my lips. "Just give me a few more days."

Right after I hung up, Zachary walked back into the ward.

He noticed my rare smile—one he hadn't seen in a while—and for some reason, it made his chest feel tight.

But he'd already promised Ruby that he'd go back to sing a lullaby for her and the baby.

Without looking at me, he grabbed the papers and said coldly, "Queenie, I've got work to handle at the office. I'll be back tomorrow."

***

Tomorrow came and went—and the next few days too—but he never showed up.

Through mutual friends, I kept receiving clips of him with Ruby. He brought her to events and dinners.

Like someone head-over-heels, he proudly introduced her to everyone around him.

On the day I left the hospital, Zachary updated his Facebook.

As the sun set, he stood in a hot air balloon, holding Ruby's flushed face while kissing her romantically.

I left a comment.

[Hope you two have a happy life together and a baby on the way.]

Ten minutes later, he called. I didn't answer.

About thirty minutes later, after handling my discharge papers by myself, I saw them standing outside the obstetrics and gynecology department.

A nurse at the consultation desk said to Ruby, "Mrs. Conrad, your husband truly cares about you. He never misses an appointment.

"When we do the ultrasound, he always warms up the gel himself because he's afraid you'll feel cold."

The nurses nearby looked genuinely impressed.

Subconsciously, I placed my hand on my stomach, remembering that a baby had once been there.

The day I got into a car accident, lost a lot of blood, and had a miscarriage, I called Zachary in tears through a video call.

But what appeared on the screen was Ruby, completely undressed.

"Mrs. Conrad, Mr. Conrad lost a bet, so I handcuffed him to the bed as punishment. What do you want from him?"

I said nothing and ended the call right away.

Less than a minute later, Zachary called me himself. Holding Ruby in his arms as she stared at me with teary eyes, he yelled at me for being petty and stupid.

He even said, "I wonder what you're capable of. You couldn't even protect your baby. You fool.

"Queenie, you'd be better off just getting hit by a truck and dying."

Snapping out of those memories, I was just about to go another way when Zachary walked over coldly.

"Why are you standing there looking dumb?"

I looked down, automatically trying to explain. "I wasn't following you two. I just happened to pass by. Sorry if I disturbed you."

"Hold on."

Zachary stopped me with a frown, and I noticed a flicker of jealousy in Ruby's eyes.

Ruby held Zachary tighter and smiled at me.

"Mrs. Conrad, thank you so much for the blood transfusion. Without you, I'd probably still feel dizzy."

She turned to Zachary. "Can she come home with us, please?"

He tapped her nose gently. "You're the kindest pregnant woman ever. I'll do whatever you say."

Since I needed to go back for my luggage anyway, I didn't turn down Ruby's offer.

Inside the spacious black car, just as Ruby had hoped, I soon spotted a pair of lace underwear with wet stains stuck between the seats.

"Ah! Why is this still here? Zachary, didn't you say you threw it out?"

Ruby blushed and lightly hit his chest, curling into his arms.

He chuckled and apologized to her while subtly glancing at me.

When he realized I wasn't reacting, the boredom he'd felt back in the hospital suddenly returned.

"Queenie, you've been on your phone since you got in," he said with a hint of irritation.

"Are you texting your cousin—or is it someone else I don't know about?"

After I booked the plane ticket, I locked my phone. "Just reading the news."

Zachary's mood grew worse after hearing that.

He suddenly grabbed my phone while I was distracted. He stared at the screen with a frown and asked, "What's the passcode?"

"It's my birthday."

We'd been married for nine years.

Even though it was just a six-digit code, he kept trying and still failed to unlock it. Eventually, the phone locked itself.

The ride continued in silence until we reached the house.

As soon as the car stopped, Zachary rushed to help Ruby, who was struggling with pregnancy sickness, into the main bedroom. He looked worried. He then asked the maids to prepare Ruby's favorite food.

When I went downstairs, he noticed my lonely back as I walked toward the guest room.

After a moment of thought, he told the chef, "Make two more dishes that Queenie usually likes. And prepare three sets of dinnerware."

In the guest room, I unpacked my suitcase, only to find that all my clothes had been cut up. Thankfully, the passport I'd hidden in the inner layer was undamaged.

Just as I was about to grab my documents and leave, Ruby blocked the door. She was holding a black bottle, eyeing me with disdain.

"Queenie, I didn't think you'd be so patient. I've humiliated you and made you a joke in high society, but you still cling to the Conrad family and refuse to leave.

"I guess that makes sense. Your grandma passed away last month, and without her, you're hanging on to Zachary for support."

Then, Ruby seemed to remember something.

"Queenie, do you remember the day you begged Zachary to take you to the hospital to see your grandma one last time? Do you know why he refused? Because he promised to take me to the beach to watch the sunset that day. Look, this kissing photo on my phone was taken then."

I couldn't take it anymore. I slapped her phone away and grabbed her by the neck. The bottle she was holding slipped, and I immediately smelled gasoline.

In the scuffle, Ruby hurriedly ignited the gasoline on the ground.

Thick smoke filled the room, and flames spread rapidly.

I had just been discharged from the hospital, and the smoke overwhelmed me. My body went weak, and I collapsed.

At that moment, I heard Zachary's voice. "Queenie!"

Then, the maids' voices followed.

"Mr. Conrad, it's too dangerous inside! Please wait for security to bring the fire extinguisher!"

"Move out of the way! Queenie is still in there!"

Ignoring the danger, Zachary rushed into the room. He didn't expect Ruby to be inside as well.

"Zachary, save me—"

Before Ruby could finish, Zachary picked her up without hesitation. Without even glancing at me, he turned and left.

Half an hour later, after comforting Ruby, he searched the entire villa but couldn't find me.

***

Late at night at the airport, after sending the package, I boarded the flight to England, still coughing.

Before the plane took off, I received a message from Zachary.

"I don't have time for this game. Ruby has a prenatal checkup at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. Come and check your lungs."

I didn't reply, took out the SIM card, and switched off my phone.

Zachary, from now on, we'd never see each other again.

***

The next day, at the hospital.

"Zachary, is our baby alright?"

Seeing Ruby's pitiful expression, Zachary hugged her and softly replied, "The doctor said the baby is fine and wasn't affected by yesterday's incident."

"That's a relief. You've been so serious and quiet since we arrived. I thought something might be wrong with the baby."

Ruby's words caused him to pause for a moment.

In his mind, the image of me, cold and distant amid the flames, flashed uncontrollably.

Frowning, he opened his email again, frustrated that I hadn't responded to him at all.

I always responded to his requests, no matter how much he had ignored me before. Now, he thought I was trying to act distant.

With a sneer in his mind, Zachary carefully escorted Ruby out of the obstetrics and gynecology department, took her to lunch, ensured she got home safely, and then headed to the company.

Upon entering the office, a subordinate immediately informed him that his grandfather, Victor Conrad, had returned to America. Victor had called for an urgent meeting with all the management in Conference Room No.1.

Without missing a beat, Zachary turned and made his way to the conference room, casually telling his subordinate, "Get me some of the newest designer bags and fashionable jewelry."

The subordinate quickly replied, "Understood, Mr. Conrad. I'll have someone buy them and deliver them to Ms. Newman's place as soon as possible."

Zachary paused, pinched the bridge of his nose, and corrected, "Send them to the Snowden’s manor."

In his mind, once I left the villa, the Snowden’s manor would be my only option for a place to stay.

A week later, after finishing a project, Zachary returned home to find a slim figure in a silk nightgown curled up on the living room couch.

"Queenie, I've told you so many times, I'll come home when I'm done. You don't need to—"

When Zachary entered and saw Ruby sitting on the couch, all his mocking and complaints stopped immediately. He stared at her coldly, his eyes fixed on her without a blink.

Ruby shuddered, looking both distressed and pitiable.

"Zachary, Mrs. Conrad hasn't returned in a while. I've sent her several apology messages, but she hasn't responded. Should I move out?"

Seeing Ruby on the verge of tears, Zachary frowned inwardly and pulled her into a hug.

He kissed her forehead in a somewhat detached manner, telling her to take care and not to worry too much.

"Whether Queenie accepts it or not, this will be your home, and your child's, from now on."

About thirty minutes later, Zachary, dressed in a bathrobe, stood alone on the balcony, smoking a cigarette.

He had quit smoking for a while, but tonight, for some reason, he felt the urge to smoke again.

As if by chance, Zachary unlocked his phone and saw my number at the bottom of his contact list. He hovered over the dial button for a moment.

After smoking two more cigarettes, he still didn't call. Instead, he sent a message.

"Queenie, tomorrow is Grandpa's 80th birthday. You'd better not cause any trouble at the party for Ruby and the baby."

***

At Victor's birthday party, Zachary and Ruby made a grand entrance, looking like the perfect couple.

It wasn't until Victor arrived that Zachary let go of Ruby's hand and moved to Victor's side to greet the important guests.

"Why didn't Queenie come with you?" Victor asked pointedly.

Zachary rarely defended me, but he did so this time.

"Sorry, Grandpa. Queenie's been busy preparing gifts and has been tired. I told her to rest for a bit. She'll come later."

Two hours flew by, and the party was nearing its end with the gift-giving ceremony, but I still hadn't arrived.

Zachary's unease grew. He walked to the side, took out his phone, and called me.

"Hello, the number you dialed is... "

He kept calling, but the line kept going to a busy signal.

At that moment, a deliveryman entered the hall with three gifts I had sent.

Victor smiled as he faced the curious stares from the crowd and began unwrapping the first gift.

Inside was a beautifully hand-stitched piece, made with hundreds of blessings to celebrate his birthday. It was clear to everyone that I had spent months crafting it myself.

Touched, Victor opened the second gift with tears.

Inside was the heirloom gem that Zachary's grandmother had given me on our wedding day.

The sight of the gem left the entire room in stunned silence.

In high society, everyone understood the significance of a woman returning an heirloom.

Before Victor could fully process it, Zachary, with a dark expression, clenched his fists and stepped toward the third gift.

Just as I had expected, he coldly opened the final gift I had prepared. The box was large, but the contents were minimal.

Inside was only a divorce agreement and a medical report.

Zachary froze as he saw the word "divorce" written on the document.