To Die Before His Very Eyes

He answered, his voice suddenly bright. "Sweetheart? Yes, I can be right there." He hung up and turned to me, his eyes gleaming. "Something's come up at the hospital. I have to go."

"Be a good girl and finish all your supplements. I'll check on you when I get back."

I nodded. The moment he was gone, I scraped all the food from the table into the garbage disposal.

As I walked into the study to copy the video file, a notification for Victoria's latest Instagram post popped up on the computer screen.

【What's it like having a childhood sweetheart who loves you more than life itself? Thank you, Gabriel, for booking the entire private medical wing for me and hiring the best nursing team in the country. So blessed to have you by my side for every milestone! ❤️】

In the photo, Gabriel was holding Victoria, carefully fastening the Hayes family's heirloom diamond necklace around her neck.

My mind reeled. I numbly clicked on another hidden folder on the computer.

A lifelong trust fund agreement appeared on the screen:

【I, Gabriel Hayes, do voluntarily gift 85% of my personal assets in the form of a trust to Victoria Morgan and her descendants.】

I wiped away my tears with a hollow laugh.

So this was what Gabriel looked like when he was truly in love.

Even with Victoria married to another man, he was still willing to give her everything.

If that was the case, then I would grant him his wish. I would disappear from his life completely.

After printing a divorce agreement and booking a service with a "staged death" agency for the next day, I went straight to the Stanford Medical Center, where Victoria was staying.

The hospital room was crowded with friends and relatives, all gathered to visit and offer congratulations.

Victoria was beaming, cradling her newborn, while Gabriel stood beside her, gently massaging her temples.

When he saw me, a flash of panic crossed his eyes.

He quickly pulled me aside, his voice a low hiss.

"Scarlett, don't misunderstand... Victoria's husband is on a business trip in Europe and couldn't get back in time. We all grew up together, she's like a little sister to me..."

"I know you haven't forgiven our parents, but Victoria and the baby are innocent in all this!"

Gabriel knew better than anyone whether they were innocent.

I was about to bring up the divorce when Victoria, still in her hospital bed, suddenly clutched her baby and shrank away from me, her face a mask of terror.

"Scarlett! I know Mom, Dad, and I were wrong about what happened! But I'm begging you, please don't hurt my child!"

"If you're angry, take it out on me! But please, don't curse my child! He's just a baby!"