Drifting Apart With Time

Natalie felt a sharp shiver in her chest, as if something inside her had broken.

Her seven years with Lester, already in a fragile state, now seemed to have completely ended.

She dug her nails into her palms to suppress the storm of emotions rising in her chest and forced herself to say in an even tone, "Mr. Garrison, you really do love Ms. Sterling."

Lester's expression darkened, and he furrowed his brow, just barely.

Natalie ignored it and continued, "In that case, 70 thousand dollars will do. That'll cover the medical expenses, and I won't pursue the matter any further."

Irene raised her eyebrows in doubt. "Only 70 thousand dollars?"

Natalie nodded firmly. "Yes, only 70 thousand dollars."

70 thousand dollars would buy her a clean break from the seven years she had spent with Lester, from the time they were together to their marriage and divorce. It would close that chapter.

Lester didn't ask any questions. He transferred the money and then left with Irene.

The ward grew quiet again.

Natalie turned onto her side and pulled the blanket over her head.

Perhaps she had pressed against her aching wounds, for the pillow darkened with moisture, silently recording her suffering.

She stayed in the hospital for nearly ten days.

During that time, Lester visited her several times, coming alone each time.

She didn't want to see him, so she pretended to be asleep whenever he arrived.

After leaving the hospital, Natalie met a few of her close friends and told them she planned to go abroad.

When they heard she'd return to the entertainment industry, they were genuinely happy for her.

The final days passed slowly, as if she were counting down each one.

On the last day, Natalie arrived at the courthouse as soon as it opened.

The month-long waiting period had ended, and she received her divorce certificate without issue.

As she stepped outside, her phone lit up with a new message.

Natalie checked the message. It was from Irene, requesting a meeting at a private club.

She looked down at the divorce certificate in her hand and finally decided to go.

When she entered the private room, Irene was already there.

She picked up her glass of milk, took a small sip, and smiled at Natalie. "Natalie, I invited you here to thank you for letting Les and me be together. I meant to thank you as soon as the divorce was finalized, but he's been impossible to get away from this past month.

"He wouldn't leave me alone for even a few hours. He followed me on set and even acted as my assistant. Today is the first time I've been able to get away."

Natalie's hand tightened around the glass without her realizing it. Lester had been just as clingy when he was with her, but now, he no longer cared about her.

Irene noticed the shift in Natalie immediately, and the amusement in her eyes deepened. "Seems like you're still hung up on Les, Natalie. It's a shame you two are no longer married.

"When he pursued me, I made it clear I'd never be a mistress, and he proposed divorce right away. That proves I matter more to him. Natalie, you belong to the past now."

Natalie could tell that Irene was a smart and ambitious woman. Otherwise, Lester would never have been infatuated with her for three months, and he wouldn't have proposed divorce.

"You didn't call me here just to show off, did you?" Natalie asked calmly.

Irene let out a soft laugh. "Natalie, you're smart."

With that, she pulled a sheet of paper from her bag and handed it to Natalie.

Natalie frowned, unsure what it was.

The moment she saw that it was a pregnancy test report, her mind went blank. A chill ran through her chest, freezing her heart in place.

Irene was pregnant.

Irene was clearly pleased with Natalie's reaction. She lifted her chin with pride, one hand resting lightly on her belly, her voice brimming with unhidden triumph.

"Natalie, Les and I have been together for just a month, and I'm already carrying his child. Meanwhile, you had been married for three years and had never gotten pregnant, not once. That's a real failure."

Natalie's fingers tightened around the pregnancy report, leaving visible creases in the paper. She and Lester had once been expecting a child.

In the second year of their marriage, she had discovered she was a month pregnant. She'd been preparing to share the good news with Lester when she noticed the lipstick stain on his collar—his first betrayal.

That night, Natalie had cried until dawn, and the next day, grief had claimed her pregnancy.

Lester kneeled at her bedside, swearing he'd never cheat again. But later, he found one mistress after another.

One rule he never broke, though, was that he'd never get anyone else pregnant.

That lost life had been their unspoken boundary. Lester seemed to have forgotten it. Fortunately, they were divorced now.

He could be with whoever he wanted and have whoever he wanted to carry his child—Natalie wouldn't care.

She forced down the storm of emotions threatening to spill and returned the pregnancy report to Irene. "Congratulations. Looks like everything's going your way."

Irene's smug expression faltered. She hadn't expected Natalie to react so calmly, so quickly.

Irene rose, grabbing Natalie's wrist, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. "Natalie, you say congratulations, but I bet you hate me right now. Too bad, I never liked the idea of you hanging around Les either. I'll make sure you vanish completely from his life!"

Before Natalie could process her threat, Irene's grip loosened, and she collapsed heavily.

Blood ran down Irene's thighs, and her face drained of color as she clutched her abdomen.

Natalie's breath caught. Reflexively, she pulled out her phone and dialed 911.

Right then, the door was kicked open with a loud crash.

"Rene!"