Chapter 5

A week later, sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains of the recovery center, casting a soft glow on the hospital bed. Willow put her phone down, with the screen still paused on Laurel's latest vlog. Chad was sweetly tying her shoelaces in it, and the two of them were smiling happily. She locked her phone without a change of expression, as if she'd seen nothing at all. "Willow!" Chad suddenly barged into the ward, looking panicked. "What happened to you…" He only realized how pale Willow was as he stepped closer. Her lips were almost completely drained of color. Chad frowned and asked, "Is it your irregular period again? Why didn't you tell me?" Willow's irregular period had turned into a regular issue for her. Chad didn't know about her miscarriage as she'd asked Maria to keep it quiet. As such, he only assumed that she was resting for the sake of taking care of her body. Willow quietly looked at him. In the past, she'd always act sweetly and ask Chad to accompany her every time she'd felt unwell. But this time, she hadn't even called once—and he hadn't thought of looking for her until a whole week later. 17 missed calls—or none at all—made no difference. So why should Willow bother? "I figured you're too busy," she softly said. "So I didn't want to bother you." Chad's chest tightened slightly. He stepped forward to hug her and said, "I'm your husband—you can always bother me." Willow neither moved away nor did she react to it. She leaned her head against his shoulder and suddenly asked, "Just like Laurel did?" She regretted her question the moment she asked it. It made her sound like a jealous wife begging for attention. Chad clearly stiffened. He then smiled and patted her head, saying, "Of course." Joseph's call came through at that moment. Willow didn't want to talk much in front of Chad, so she kept it brief and ended the call shortly. Chad frowned and asked, "Speaking of which, I bumped into Faith's husband, David, a few days back. I couldn't even tell they're going through a divorce now." "It's Faith's decision alone." Willow suppressed her emotions and replied calmly, "David isn't aware." "Doesn't divorce require both parties to proceed?" Chad asked, puzzled. Willow stared right at him and replied, "Faith discovered that David has been secretly going on dates with his first love. She couldn't take it, and that's why she's planning to divorce in secret. If she were to mention it to him, he probably wouldn't agree." Chad immediately turned indignant. "What she's doing is right! That kind of man is the worst!" Willow lowered her gaze. Chad knew David Smith. With how well he'd always claimed to know his friends, it was impossible that he didn't know whether David had a first love or not. Yet there was no hesitation when he answered in a reproachful manner. It only showed just how unsettled he was beneath his calm facade. "How much longer until Laurel's waiting period is over?" Willow suddenly asked. "15 days," Chad replied without hesitation. Clearly, he had been counting the days. Willow glanced out the window at the sunny atmosphere and murmured, "The timing works out perfectly, then." "What?" Chad asked, perplexed. "It's nothing." Willow smiled and said nothing. Chad's phone suddenly started vibrating. The man who had ignored all 17 of her missed calls reflexively picked up. "Hello, Laurel?" His voice immediately softened. Laurel's tearful voice could be heard from the other end of the line. "I'm so scared of being here all by myself, Chad…" "Don't be scared. I'll come back soon," Chad comforted, his gaze subconsciously darting toward Willow. She watched the scene calmly, no longer feeling any disappointment. Willow finally realized something. Chad didn't bother with his phone at all when Laurel was beside him, because he knew any calls wouldn't be from her. But when Laurel wasn't beside him, he was terrified of missing any texts from her. He was clearly unsettled after the call ended. Perhaps out of guilt from Willow's earlier mention of David's secret affair with his first love, he did not rush to leave right away. "You should go back to the office," Willow said. "Don't let me hold up your work." Chad looked visibly relieved. He hurriedly asked, "When are you discharging? Just text me then—I'll come pick you up." He then rushed out of the ward without even looking back. … A week later, Willow was packing up her suitcase, ready for her discharge. She called Chad three times, but he didn't pick up. At the same time, she saw Laurel's latest video going viral online, racking over 100,000 likes. In the video, Laurel was flaunting how her boyfriend had been spoiling her—limited-edition handbags, screenshots of bank transfers, travel photos around the world, as well as close-up shots of Chad cooking for her, doing the dishes, and massaging her feet. Envious comments filled the comments section. "What kind of perfect boyfriend is this?" "He's rich and devoted—I'm jealous!" Laurel made no effort to clear up the truth about their relationship, happily letting the netizens dwell in their misunderstanding. When Chad finally dialled back, his explanation seemed so flimsy. "I didn't check my phone because I was busy earlier. What's wrong?" As expected, he had completely forgotten about his promise to pick Willow up. Laurel's laughter was crystal clear in the background of the call, yet Chad didn't so much as flinch when he said, "I'm currently out for business now. If it's nothing urgent, let's talk about it at home?" "It's alright," Willow softly said. "I just wanted to know where you are." After ending the call, she opened her phone's calendar. There was one week left until Laurel's waiting period was over. Meanwhile, Willow's own divorce agreement would take effect in another two weeks. It was nearly time, so there was no point in feeling sad anymore. After all, she had decided to let go a long time ago.