Chapter 2

Natalie's tears fell in despair. She should have known it would end like this. Even so, she still clung to a shred of hope and called Rowan again, only for the call to be rejected immediately this time. She had been married to Rowan for seven years. The first two years had been genuinely happy, but everything changed completely after Imogen returned. Sarah was already unconscious in her arms. "Sarah… Sarah, don't scare me. I'm taking you to the hospital right now!" Natalie cried hoarsely. In panic, she immediately called her best friend, Carmen Burton. "Hello—" Natalie had just gotten through when the call abruptly disconnected. Her phone service had been suspended due to unpaid charges, and Natalie's last thread of hope snapped completely. "Sarah, please don't scare me… someone, please help my daughter…" Natalie cried, her voice breaking as she ran through the pouring night rain, holding the unconscious Sarah in her arms. A car sped toward them from a distance, its headlights blinding Natalie until she couldn't open her eyes. Exhausted beyond her limit, she collapsed weakly onto the wet ground. The car pulled up beside them, and a tall figure stepped out, holding a black umbrella that shielded them from the cold rain. "What's wrong with her?" A man's deep, magnetic voice echoed in the night. "Please… save my daughter. I'm begging you…" Worried for Sarah's safety, Natalie had long abandoned all pride. She knelt before the figure, pleading for help. When she looked up, she realized who it was. "It's you!" … At the club, Rowan sat on a spacious couch, accepting the attention and toasts from everyone around him. Nearby, a group of young people was teasing a couple. Urged on by the crowd, the pair shyly embraced and shared a quick kiss. Imogen noticed Roger answering a call and walked over to him. "Roger, who were you talking to?" she asked gently. "Mommy." Roger pouted. "She called Daddy on purpose and said Sarah was sick. I think she just wants us to go home early so we can't have fun." "That's fine. I've got your back," Imogen said softly, rubbing his head. "We're not going home tonight." Close to 11:00 pm, Rowan finally noticed Roger sitting on the couch playing games. "Roger, the lighting is too dim," he said. "Playing games like this isn't good for your eyes. Give me the phone." "Okay," Roger replied, handing it over. Rowan checked the phone. There were no messages on and no missed calls. "Rowan, Roger, let's go cut the cake," Imogen called as she walked over. "Okay," Rowan responded. Roger tugged on Imogen's hand and leaned in close. "I deleted Mommy's call from Daddy's call log. I'm smart, right? Now we don't have to go home." Imogen cupped his face and kissed his forehead. "My Roger is the smartest." … Early the next morning, Natalie stepped out of Sarah's hospital room and happened to see Rowan in the hallway. He wore a long black coat, his handsome features slightly tired, and he carried breakfast in his left hand. Just as she thought he had come to see Sarah, a hospital room door ahead opened, blocking her view of Rowan. "Daddy, you finally bought breakfast," Roger said, tugging playfully on Rowan's arm. "Ms. Chapman and I are starving." "Let's go," Rowan replied, following Roger into the room. Natalie found her feet moving on her own. She walked instinctively toward that hospital room. Through the clear glass on the door, she could see all three of them inside the VIP room. Imogen sat on the bed, wrapped in a blanket, wearing a blue-and-white striped hospital gown. Rowan thoughtfully placed the breakfast he had brought on the small overbed table. Beside them, Roger handed Imogen a wrung-out towel. After taking it, Imogen used it to wipe her hands. They looked as if they were a real family, sharing a warm and perfect moment. "Ms. Chapman, eat a little more. Daddy bought all of this for you himself," Roger said, handing her a small spoon. "You drank too much last night and threw everything up, so you must be really hungry now." Imogen had suffered badly from drinking too much the night before. Rowan had been worried something might happen, so he had personally brought her to the hospital. "Thank you, Roger," Imogen said gently. "And thank you too, Rowan. You should eat as well." Natalie turned to the side and leaned against the wall, her chest aching as if it were being crushed. She had known from the start that Rowan had married her only because of pressure from his grandmother, Matilda Fraley. He had never loved her; their marriage was nothing more than a contract. She had secretly loved him since college. He was three years older and her senior. Rowan had always been untouchable, almost godlike. She felt so small and insignificant that he would never truly notice her. She had thought she would never cross paths with Rowan in this lifetime, yet she had accidentally saved Matilda, who liked her so much that she forced Rowan to marry her. The contract had clearly stated that if, after seven years, they still had no feelings for each other, Rowan could divorce her. For seven long years, Natalie had tried with all her heart to warm Rowan's cold, indifferent heart—and still failed. She had even lost the affection of her own son. Since Rowan and Roger cared so much about Imogen, she would step aside and give them the happiness they wanted. Natalie returned to Sarah's room, having made up her mind to divorce. "You went to get water, didn't you? Where is it?" Lucian Payne asked, sitting by the bed and feeding Sarah her food, noticing Natalie's dazed expression. Lucian was Rowan's uncle and also his fiercest rival within Payne Group. They were close in age, and Lucian was Matilda's most cherished youngest son. "Oh… the water wasn't ready yet," Natalie replied casually, making an excuse. She added, "Lucian, thank you for last night. You stayed here with us all night, and Sarah is much better now. You should go back and get some rest." "Did Rowan call you?" Lucian asked, continuing to feed Sarah without standing. "He's the CEO of Payne Holdings, and he's always busy with work," Natalie answered lightly. "No matter how busy he is, he should still care about his wife and daughter," Lucian said. Natalie didn't want to talk about Rowan anymore. She asked, "Lucian, could you help me recharge my prepaid plan?" Her phone service had been cut off last night, and she hadn't been able to recharge it herself. "Alright," Lucian replied without asking anything else. He recharged her phone with a thousand dollars. Soon, multiple notifications popped up on Natalie's phone.