Her mind went blank. Instinctively, she held her breath and crept to the door, where she heard:

"You're really something, Julian!"

"The world's only fully simulated AI robot, something money can't even buy, and you actually used it to fool Clara? Isn't that a bit of a waste of talent?"

"Or are you afraid that if Clara finds out you aren't bankrupt, and that you're keeping a mistress outside, she'll get desperate and just walk away?"

"Afraid of her?"

Julian flicked the ash from his cigarette. His features, cast in cold light, looked sharper than ever, his laughter filled with mockery.

"I’m just worried she might go and make trouble for Ivy. Ivy is pregnant, and she can't handle the stress."

He scoffed, his voice dripping with undisguised contempt.

"Besides, the only person left in the Shen family is her paralyzed mother. Once she leaves me, a helpless orphan like her, where could she go?"

"She’ll have to stay by my side obediently for the rest of her life. In a while, after Ivy gives birth, I'll send her abroad. When that time comes, I might consider letting her live as a rich housewife again; it wouldn't be impossible."

Behind the thin layer of the door, Clara stood as if nailed to the spot, trembling uncontrollably.

Her fingertips clawed at the wall until they bled, the only thing keeping her upright.

So, everything she saw today was not a misunderstanding.

The one who had come to "find" her was just a simulated robot.

And the real Julian had truly become someone else’s husband.

Clara covered her mouth tightly, her tears silently soaking her entire face.

But there was one thing Julian was wrong about.

She was never without a place to go.

She had stayed in the past because she loved him, but there was no longer any need to stay.

Clara reached up, wiped away her tears roughly, and silently dialed a number.

"Uncle, I accept my loss."

"In three days, I promise to return to Hong Kong and get married."

Chapter 3

Early the next morning, Clara was woken up by a phone call from Ivy.

"Miss Clara, why did you leave so suddenly last night? Didn't we agree on a week?"

Clara remained silent for a long time before saying softly, "I know."

Not for any other reason, simply to finish the last of her work.

When she arrived, Ivy was sitting on the sofa watching TV.

Julian was beside her, kneading her legs and feet with tender, meticulous care.

Clara watched the scene quietly, lost in thought.

She had carried three of his children, yet she had never once received such treatment.

In the past, she had assumed he just didn't know how to be gentle.

But now she understood: it wasn't that he didn't know how.

It was just that he had poured all his tenderness into someone else; what was left for her was nothing but coldness.

Clara suppressed the bitterness in her chest and looked away.

It was fine. Only seven days left.

Whatever he loved after this, it would have nothing to do with her.

"Clara, you're here!"

Ivy rushed over enthusiastically, hooking her arm around Clara’s and smiling brightly.

"I don't know anyone else in this city, Clara. Why don't you come shopping with me!"

Before Clara could refuse, she was forcibly dragged into the car.

They arrived at a luxury store on the top floor of the mall.

Ivy was clearly a regular here. As soon as they entered, a crowd of shop assistants swarmed them.

"Mrs. Huo, you're here!"

"We’ve just received several new arrivals; we've been saving them for you."

Ivy tried on a few pieces and then insisted on shoving a dress into Clara’s hands.

"Clara, we women need to be good to ourselves. Don't always think about saving money for men."

Clara looked at her reflection in the red dress, feeling a bit dazed.

After wearing secondhand clothes for seven years, she couldn't even remember the last time she had bought something new.

But in the next second, looking at the long string of zeros on the price tag, her throat tightened, and she instinctively reached to take it off.

"Oh, don't put it back!"

Ivy noticed her embarrassment, pulled out a black card, and started to hand it to the assistant.

"It's fine, Clara, I'll buy it for you."

Clara was just about to refuse when a mocking voice cut in.

"Ivy, do you really think it's that easy to earn your husband's money?"

Julian ruffled Ivy’s hair nonchalantly, his tone casual.

"Besides, the lady has a husband of her own. What's the rush?"

Clara found the situation ridiculous, yet her voice was laced with an indescribable bitterness.

"No, thank you."

However, Ivy suddenly grabbed Clara’s phone, tapped on the pinned chat at the top, and snapped a photo of her to send over.

After doing this, she patted Clara’s hand with a smile.

"Clara, don't worry. You look so beautiful in this dress. Not to mention one—even if it were ten, your husband would surely be willing to buy them for you!"

Clara didn't speak, but her gaze drifted involuntarily toward Julian.

His fingers tapped on his screen, as if he were composing a message.

It was laughable that, even now, she still held a glimmer of expectation for him.

"Ding-dong"—

A message from 'Husband' popped up on her screen.

"That was a quick reply! He must have sent the money over!"

Ivy laughed and grabbed the phone, tapping it open while the shop assistants watched with curiosity.

Clara held her breath unconsciously.

But in the next second, seeing the message on the screen, the air went deathly still.

[Sorry, honey. My paycheck hasn't come through this month. This is all I have, so please try to spend it sparingly.]

Attached was a transfer of fifty bucks.

Clara stared at the phone screen for a long time.

Even though she had expected this outcome, why did her heart still feel like it was being ripped out of her chest?

Facing the surrounding gazes—full of sympathy, disdain, and mockery—she curled her lips and set the dress down.

"It's fine. I don't think I'm the type for dresses."

Ivy didn't know what else to say, so she began her shopping spree.

By the time she was finished, as Julian stood up to pay, he paused for a brief moment. Turning to look at her, his eyes held a hint of high-and-mighty charity.

"Miss Clara, for my wife's sake, if you really like that dress, I suppose I could—"

Chapter 4

"No need."

Clara interrupted him coldly, offering a bitter laugh.

"If it’s not mine, I won’t force it."

The moment she turned away, the store clerk’s voice crashed into her ears.

"Mr. Huo, your wife's total consumption today has reached eight million..."

Clara looked down at her frayed sleeves and couldn't help but think.

Fifty bucks... it wasn't even one-hundred-thousandth of eight million.

As the group reached the entrance of the mall, a sudden commotion broke out among the crowd!

When Clara looked up, she saw a man in a hospital gown, acting erratically, charging toward them while wielding a knife!

"Everyone run! He’s a lunatic!"

The scene descended into chaos instantly, and the crowd scattered.

Seeing the madman raising the knife, about to plunge it into Ivy’s belly!

"Ahhh! Help!"

Ivy shrieked, crying heart-wrenchingly.

Clara was about to reach out to pull her away, but a strong force suddenly pushed her from behind, thrusting her directly in front of Ivy!

Pfft—

The blade sank into flesh instantly, and blood sprayed everywhere.

Clara sat on the ground, clutching her stomach with a pale face, and turned her head with great difficulty.

Julian’s hand, which he hadn't yet had time to retract, flashed before her eyes...

It was as if her very last shred of strength had been drained away. She didn't even have the energy to question him, letting her tears disappear into her hair.

For many years, it was these hands that had pulled her out of the mire of bullying, giving her the few flickers of light in her life.

And now, it was these same hands that had personally pushed her onto the blade, just to protect another woman.

Feeling the sharp, agonizing pain below, Clara suddenly sensed something amiss.

But before she could think it through, everything went black, and she lost consciousness.

...

When she woke up, the faint smell of disinfectant hung in the air.

The young nurse changing her IV looked at her, her eyes filled with pity.

"Take good care of yourself. As for the baby... there will be others in the future."

The baby?

Clara’s mind went blank. Recalling the sharp pain earlier, she realized what had happened.

But that was fine, too; she was leaving anyway.

This child was not meant to be.

Just as she was thinking this, the door to the ward was pushed open.