Chapter 3

"Did you hear that? Even our daughter says it has nothing to do with Sophia!" Tristan walked over, putting one arm around Sophia's shoulder while stroking his daughter's hair with the other hand.

Ivy stared at her, her face full of displeasure. "Mom came in making such a scene, disturbing my rest. Aunt Sophia is so much gentler. I want Aunt Sophia to stay with me..."

Tristan glanced at her and said coldly, "You should leave. Our daughter doesn't want to see you."

Megan silently watched this scene, suddenly feeling like she was an outsider there.

"Fine, then let Sophia take good care of Ivy." After saying this, Megan turned around and left the hospital room with heavy steps.

She walked to the end of the corridor in a daze. Finally unable to hold on any longer, she leaned against the wall, feeling her vision go dark as her body involuntarily tilted backward.

"Are you okay?"

Just then, a strong hand caught her arm.

Megan turned her head to see a handsome face.

The man wore a dark suit, tall and imposing with a distinguished air. He was looking at her with concern, frowning. "Why do you look so pale?"

Megan was dazed for a moment, then quickly recognized him as the man the Whitmore family had arranged for her to marry seven years ago—Julian Morgan.

"I'm fine..."

Megan felt a bit awkward. After all, she had rejected the arranged marriage back then, making the Morgan family lose face. Running into him now in this situation—talk about a narrow road for enemies.

She tried to stand up straight but found her legs weak, her body leaning uncontrollably toward him.

Julian helped her to a nearby chair, not letting go. His voice was low. "You call this fine? Megan, you still can't lie, just like before."

Megan smiled bitterly.

"What are you doing at the hospital?" she asked.

"My dad's hospitalized here. I came to keep him company. What about you?" Julian glanced at the pediatrics sign behind her. "Is Ivy sick?"

At the mention of her daughter, Megan's eyes dimmed.

Julian seemed to sense something and asked quietly, "Do you need help? I know some good pediatric specialists."

"No need." Megan interrupted him, her tone full of disappointment. "She has someone taking care of her now. She doesn't need me anymore."

Julian looked at her silently.

"I should go." Megan stood up and said softly, "Please give my regards to your father."

Julian nodded, watching her figure disappear down the corridor, his frown deepening.

In the hospital room, Sophia happened to see this scene through the window.

She turned back to the bedside and said casually, "Tristan, I just saw Megan run into someone she knows at the hospital—a very handsome man."

Tristan's brow furrowed slightly.

He didn't know Megan knew anyone at the hospital.

Sophia continued, "That man was so concerned about Megan. He helped her sit down and they talked for quite a while. Megan is so popular."

Tristan's expression darkened, but he said nothing.

That evening, Megan returned to her sister's place. After taking a shower, she had just lain down on the bed when her phone suddenly rang. It was Tristan calling.

She hesitated, but eventually answered.

"Hello?"

"Where are you? Why aren't you coming home?" Tristan's voice was icy.

"Come home for what?" Megan laughed coldly. "Besides, that place won't be my home much longer anyway."

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, then Tristan's stern voice came through. "Megan, who did you meet at the hospital today?"

Megan froze, then understood.

"Who I met—what's it to you?" Her tone was cold. "Tristan, we're getting divorced. Isn't this a bit too controlling?"

"You!" Tristan clearly hadn't expected her to be so defiant. He lowered his voice. "Megan, don't forget—you're still Mrs. Reid!"

"You still remember I'm Mrs. Reid." Megan laughed coldly. "When you brought Sophia home and sided with her along with our daughter, did you think about me being Mrs. Reid?"

Tristan didn't respond, seemingly lost in thought.

"Don't call me unless it's important. I'm very busy."

Megan hung up and blocked his number.

She lay in bed, looking at the moonlight outside the window, thinking back to her daughter's attitude toward her at the hospital. Her eyes gradually moistened.

When Ivy was born, she was so tiny and soft, held carefully in her arms.

Back then, she thought she must protect this little life and give her the best life possible.

But now?

Her devotion meant nothing in her daughter's eyes.

Her phone vibrated—a text from Starlight International:

[Ms. Whitmore, our CEO would like to meet with you. If convenient, please come to company headquarters tomorrow at 10 AM.]

Megan stared at the screen and slowly typed back [Okay].

It was time to end those days of revolving around the Reid family. Starting tomorrow, she would live for herself.

The next morning, Megan arrived punctually at Starlight International headquarters.

She wore a black suit and skirt today, with refined makeup and her long hair pulled into a bun. She finally had some of that commanding presence from her days in the translation world.

Even Madeline couldn't help but exclaim, "Now that's my sister! What kind of life were you living before!"

Megan looked up at the Starlight International building, took a deep breath, and walked in.

A secretary politely guided her to the CEO's office door and knocked. "CEO, Ms. Whitmore is here."

"Let her in."

A deep, magnetic male voice came from inside. Megan frowned slightly—the voice sounded somewhat familiar.

She pushed the door open and walked in.

By the floor-to-ceiling window, a tall figure turned around, impeccably dressed in a suit with a distinguished bearing.

The man looked at her, his lips curving slightly upward. "Ms. Whitmore, we meet again."

Megan stood frozen, staring at the man before her, momentarily at a loss for how to react.

She never would have imagined that the CEO who had been inviting her to be chief translation officer was actually Julian!

Julian walked slowly toward her and extended his hand with elegant, gentlemanly grace. "Let me reintroduce myself. I'm the CEO of Starlight International, Julian Morgan. Ms. Whitmore, welcome aboard."