Chapter 6

　　Like a bolt from the blue, Lillian's mind went blank in an instant. 　　With a sneer, Ashley hung up the phone, leaving her standing there in a daze. 　　After a while, she finally came to her senses and called back, but there was no answer. 　　Lillian stood in the snow, making phone calls over and over again. 　　The biting wind stung her eyes red, yet the phone kept ringing unanswered. 　　Lillian felt like her heart was torn open, the cold wind like knives constantly digging into it. 　　Staring into the snowfall, her thoughts blurred. Memories flickered between the boy she once knew and the man from yesterday. 　　But what burned brightest were those photos of Jeffrey and Ashley, their happiness searing her vision. 　　He deceived her again... 　　Lillian stiffly lifted her leg and then abruptly fell in the snow. 　　Waking up again, she was already in the hospital. 　　The nurse swapped her IV bag. "You had a fever of 39°C yesterday. Your assistant brought you in. You're free to go after this last drip." 　　Lillian closed her eyes and said, "Thank you." 　　She took her phone from the bedside table and found a total of thirty-eight missed calls. However, Jeffrey only replied, "On a business trip." 　　Lillian stiffened. There in her social feed glowed Ashley's post, her name tagged. 　　Ashley snapped a photo of Jeffrey's back as he tied an apron in the kitchen. The caption flaunted: "740 days together, and he finally cooked me his first meal." 　　Lillian's face instantly lost its color. 　　She remembered the first time Jeffrey cooked for her... She asked him if he was so skilled because he had cooked for someone else before. 　　Jeffrey said he only cooked for his wife. 　　*** 　　Tears fell on the screen, splashing. 　　Lillian looked at the post for a long time and then made a phone call to Jeffrey. 　　The call was quickly connected, and Jeffrey's voice sounded as usual. "What's wrong?" 　　Lillian choked back tears and said, "Jeffrey, I miss Grandma and Grandpa." 　　Jeffrey remained silent for a moment and said, "I'll go back with you in a few days. I've been on a business trip these past few days." 　　What a liar! 　　Lillian hung up the phone and let tears streaming down her face. 　　The nurse changing her IV bag paused. "You're pale. Any other symptoms?" 　　Lillian just shook her head. 　　As soon as the nurse left, she pulled the needle and prepared to go home. 　　Walking out of the emergency room, she suddenly froze in the corner. 　　She saw Ashley holding hands with Jeffrey in the corridor, and the department they were in was the Obstetrics and Gynecology department. 　　Lillian could hardly believe her eyes. 　　The next second, Jeffrey and Ashley also saw her. 　　Lillian couldn't see Jeffrey's expression from a distance. 　　She could only see the proud smile on Ashley's face. 　　Ashley provocatively touched her stomach, and her words "I won't lose" suddenly appeared in Lillian's mind. 　　Lillian took a step towards Jeffrey with a dazed expression. 　　But suddenly, Jeffrey turned around and took Ashley into the office. 　　Lillian stood frozen in place, her whole body cold. 　　Sure enough... She lost, and she lost miserably. 　　Back home, Lillian sat motionless on the couch, her eyes vacant, until the click of a key in the door snapped through the silence. 　　Jeffrey sat beside Lillian and remained silent. 　　In the suffocating silence, Lillian said in a hoarse voice, "We have been together for ten years." 　　They'd survived the three-year rough patch and weathered the seven-year itch, only to trip over what should've been their decade milestone. 　　Jeffrey remained silent. 　　"I thought we would be together for longer..." Lillian choked for a moment, unable to continue speaking. 　　The marriage vows were clearly "till death do us part". 　　She asked a meaningless question, "Why? What makes her better than me?" 　　To her surprise, Jeffrey answered, "Her last name is Stone." 　　Lillian's mind went blank with a sudden ringing. 　　She stared blankly, and Jeffrey's face remained calm. "That's all." 　　Lillian suddenly burst into laughter. 　　She remembered Chloe's words and felt as if her heart had been stabbed by a knife, causing her to gasp for breath in pain. 　　After a long time, she finally said, "Jeffrey, I told you I don't play desperate games." 　　Jeffrey looked at her, and she was also looking at him. "I wish you a bright future. 　　"Let's divorce." 　　Jeffrey, however, said, "Okay, but you must leave with nothing."