Chapter 7

Yvette froze for a long moment. Suddenly, she threw her arms around Cody's waist. Her voice trembled with disbelief and joy. "So… you were just acting earlier? You didn't mean a word of it?" She looked up at him. Rain mixed with her tears, dripping off her chin. "Mr. Larson, you do have feelings for me, don't you?" Cody gave a helpless nod. "Of course. If I didn't, would I be in bed with you all the time?" The words hit Whitney like a knife, driving straight into her chest. Strangely, though, it didn't hurt as much as it should have. Instead, she let out a laugh. She watched the two of them locked in a kiss in the pouring rain, then quietly turned around and walked back into the house. The moment she stepped in, Cody's father, Edward Larson, called her into the study. When Whitney opened the door earlier, he had been standing by the window with a serious expression. She knew that he had definitely seen everything. And she was right. Without a word, Edward placed a divorce agreement in front of her. "Whitney, I know you and Cody grew up together, and your bond runs deep. But marriage isn't just about love. It ties two families together. Cody loves you more than anything. That's why he wouldn't let you risk pregnancy. "But I trust you understand that the Larson family needs an heir to carry on the legacy. Now that he's agreed to have a child with someone else, and the baby is already on the way, I hope you'll agree to a divorce. That child deserves to grow up in a healthy, stable family." Edward paused, then added gently, "You saw it yourself. Cody doesn't feel nothing for Yvvy. Now that they have a baby, they'll only grow closer. I'd like to see them have more children and bring some life into the family again. Maybe then our family dinners won't feel so cold and empty. You understand, don't you?" He talked to Whitney patiently, but her face remained expressionless. Not a single word left her lips. Just as he thought she wouldn't agree to the divorce, she quietly picked up the pen and signed her name without hesitation. "I understand, Mr. Larson. I'll be gone soon. I won't interfere with your family's matters anymore. You don't need to worry." Edward was stunned for a moment before his face lit up with relief. He gave her shoulder a light pat, saying, "I'm glad you're being so reasonable. Don't worry. I'll make sure you're properly compensated. And don't worry about Cody either. I'll deal with him and make sure he signs the papers too." Just then, the door opened, and Cody walked in. "Sign what?" Edward flipped the agreement to the last page and handed it over casually. "I was just going over the project collaboration with Scott Group with Whitney. The details are pretty much finalized. You don't need to go through it. Just sign it." "What project?" Cody frowned. "Didn't the Scott family move all their business overseas?" He had his doubts, but his trust in the Scott family was enough to make him reach for the pen. As he signed, he noticed Whitney standing off to the side. Water dripped steadily from her soaked dress, yet she remained silent the entire time. When he finished, Whitney nodded politely at Edward and left the room. Cody didn't bother listening to Edward's explanation. He rushed after Whitney with long, hurried strides. "The dinner's about to start. Whit, where are you going?" "I'm not feeling well. I think I'll skip it." Whitney casually threw out a lie, and Cody believed it without question. He immediately offered to go back with her and take care of her. But as they reached the front door, Yvette sneezed. Cody froze, and a trace of apology appeared in his expression. "I just remembered that I need to go over a few company matters with my dad. Whit, I'll have the driver take you home first. Don't forget to take some medicine, okay?" Whitney glanced at the pale-faced Yvette but said nothing. She left the Larson residence alone. She knew that she would never set foot in this place again. From that moment on, she would have nothing to do with the Larson family or with Cody. … Two days passed, and Cody never came home. When he finally did show up at the door, his arms were full of baby supplies, and his face was lit up with barely concealed joy. He strode up to Whitney and said excitedly, "Whit, the baby's finally on the way." As though he were presenting a treasure, he handed her a copy of "A Guide for New Parents", saying, "Once the baby's born, we can finally get back to our normal life." Whitney just watched him quietly without taking the book. "I know you've never been a mom before," Cody continued, his eyes full of tenderness. "But don't worry. I'll learn with you. We'll raise this baby together, okay?" Whitney's eyes drifted to the mountain of baby supplies behind him. Then she asked softly, "What about Yvette? What are you planning to do with her?" "Send her overseas, of course," Cody said breezily, like it was no big deal. "Don't worry. Once the baby's here, I'll make sure she never shows up in our lives again."