Chapter 2

The message had barely been sent when the hospital ward door burst open. Before Evelyn could even identify who it was, she was pulled into a familiar embrace. "Eve, I'm sorry about what happened to Layla, but it was an accident. The equipment malfunctioned." Howard's gentle voice brushed against her ear, but it only made her stomach turn. She pushed him away with a blank expression. Whatever love she once held for him had long since vanished, leaving nothing but hatred. Sensing her indifference, Howard took her hand and looked at her gently, as if none of it had ever happened. "Eve, didn't you want your position back? I've already spoken to the hospital. They'll reinstate you, and they're ready to grant you the professorship you've been working toward. Isn't that a good start?" Evelyn let out a short, bitter snort and yanked her hand away. "Is this so-called compensation of yours something you bought with my mother's life and Layla's?" She never imagined they would end up like this. Years ago, when Howard was ambushed and a bullet struck him dangerously close to his ribs, no surgeon in Nordia dared take the case. Evelyn was the only one who stepped forward without a second thought, taking on immense pressure to save him. From that moment on, she had his heart. After that, Howard pursued her relentlessly. The flowers and jewelry never seemed to stop, and even before their wedding, he transferred half of his shares into her name, giving her a sense of complete security. Everyone claimed Evelyn was the luckiest woman in Nordia, and for a time, she believed it too. That illusion shattered the moment Howard's one true love returned. It was only when Evelyn saw Anne's face, so hauntingly like her own, that the truth finally sank in. She had been nothing more than a pathetic stand-in. Just then, her lawyer, Emmi Wayne, entered the room carrying a folder, snapping Evelyn out of her thoughts. The moment Howard saw Emmi, his expression darkened instantly, and a sharp, dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at Evelyn. "You still can't let this go, can you? Are you still planning to sue Anne?" Evelyn took the divorce papers from Emmi and met Howard's gaze with a cold, mocking smile. "Weren't you supposed to give me a villa as compensation? Go ahead—sign it." At the mention of compensation, Howard visibly relaxed. Just as he reached for the folder, the hospital ward door burst open again. Anne rushed in with panic written all over her face. "Howard, my mom just started saying her chest hurts. Did something go wrong with the surgery?" Howard's expression darkened, and he gripped Evelyn's wrist tightly. "You said the surgery went perfectly. How is this happening? What did you do?" As he panicked over Anne's mother, Evelyn couldn't help but remember the cold, detached expression he had shown her the day her own mother died. The contrast was painfully ironic. "Complications after surgery are common," she said calmly. Anne's eyes filled with desperation as she turned to Evelyn. "Ms. Shaw, I know you don't like me. Whatever anger you have, take it out on me, please. Just don't hurt my mom." Howard's gaze darkened as he glared at Evelyn. "You will treat Anne's mother right now. If anything else goes wrong, Eve, you know exactly what I'm capable of." Evelyn didn't respond. Her eyes stayed locked on the papers in his hand. "Sign them. The moment you do, I'll go." Howard's expression darkened further. "Evelyn, are you threatening me?" "This is what you owe me," Evelyn said coldly. Howard froze for a moment, then hurriedly signed his name. "Are you satisfied now?" Evelyn handed the signed divorce papers to Emmi without a word. "Get this done as soon as possible." Emmi quickly placed the papers in her briefcase and nodded to Evelyn. "Ms. Shaw, the whole process can be completed in just 30 days." Howard felt a strange, unsettling unease as he watched Evelyn and Emmi. After sending Emmi off, Evelyn followed Anne into the intensive care unit. As soon as she entered, a vase flew toward her head forcefully.