Atlas Hallow’s gentle final syllable felt like a massive hammer, pounding heavily on Hailey Hill’s heart, leaving her breathless with pain.
"What about me?" Her eyes brimmed with tears, teetering on the brink of falling, yet refusing to drop.
Crying was also an art; Hailey Hill never needed to wail. She knew exactly what kind of tears would move Atlas Hallow the most.
"I’ll handle it," Atlas Hallow relented, gently patting Hailey Hill’s back, and she seized the moment to lean her head on his shoulder. "Atlas, forgive me for being a little jealous. I’m just a woman who purely loves you."
No one would ever understand the burden she carried, the suffering she endured, nor would anyone know about the pain of having her uterus and ovaries—the most unique and magnificent functions of a woman—removed.
She lived every day in fear of premature aging. She no longer had menstrual periods, couldn’t secrete estrogen, and therefore couldn’t produce the moist fluids to satisfy a man’s desires. Constantly supplementing with estrogen, even using the finest and most natural ones, her body was still gradually becoming slack.
This was a devastating blow to a woman. She survived those two most painful years, and at least she deserved what she had.
Like a child, or the long-term companionship and care from this man; it’s what he should give and is capable of giving. Why should Charlotte Miller enjoy all this without paying any price?
"It’s been so long since we had hotpot. Are you free at noon?" Hailey Hill remained cautious and gentle, noticing Atlas Hallow visited her less and less. He claimed he was busy, but that was just an excuse from a man.
He could make time if he wanted to, but he simply didn’t want to.
"I have a lunch appointment," Atlas Hallow said airily, for he was indeed meeting an important guest today.
Disappointment flickered in Hailey Hill’s eyes, but she could only smile and accept this outcome. "Then another day, perhaps."
The office door was gently pushed open, and along with the aroma of coffee drifted in another scent.
Atlas Hallow’s heart fluttered; without lifting his eyes, he knew Charlotte Miller had entered.
Where was that damned Daniel Parker?
Wasn’t he just smart enough to stop Charlotte from bringing the coffee? Why was it her who came in now?
"President Hallow, your coffee..." A gentle, clear, and tension-filled voice sounded from behind Hailey Hill, piercing her like a fine, slender needle. The wound was too small to be seen, yet the pain was sharply intense.
Was this Charlotte Miller? The woman who replaced her?
Never had she felt such a complicated emotion toward someone—wishing her dead but also wishing her alive.
Because Charlotte had taken away all of Atlas Hallow’s care for her, making her wish for Charlotte Miller’s death, to be banished to the inferno forever.
But she also wanted Charlotte to live, because before her surgery, she had frozen her own eggs. Her child would have to come from this woman’s belly, so she wanted her to live at least until the child was born.
She bit down hard on her lip, reminding herself to stay calm. Even the slightest hint could make Charlotte Miller suspicious.
All preparations would fall apart if anything were to give away.
Indeed, it was all too feminine. Charlotte Miller’s smile deepened as she walked forward. The carpet absorbed all the sounds of her high heels, making the room eerily quiet...