He watched me, his handsome brows knitted slightly, his night-dark eyes fixed on me as if trying to divine the truth in my words. I remained composed, a faint smile on my lips as I let him study me. After a long moment, he finally spoke. "Alright." "Thank you, Dr. Cheng." With someone so perceptive, words were unnecessary; a single glance was enough for us both to understand. As the waiter served our dishes, he shot me an unreadable glance. "Is your cleverness always so… understated, Ms. Shen?" I offered a small smile. "You give me too much credit. It's merely a means of self-preservation. Besides, Fu Shenyan and I were never a good match, and this child… it couldn't have come at a worse time." He took a few bites, seemingly pleased with the food, then looked at me. "When are you planning on leaving?" I froze, my eyes lifting to meet his. A jolt of shock went through me. My plan had been simple: deal with the baby, divorce Fu Shenyan, and then… as for leaving Jiangcheng, I hadn't even begun to think about where I would go. I was stunned that he had guessed my final step. I set down my chopsticks. "Sometime in the next month or two, probably," I said after a pause. "I just haven't decided on a city yet." "Go to Jingcheng. It's a good place to live." He had apparently finished eating, setting his own chopsticks down and dabbing his mouth elegantly with a napkin. It was a surprisingly good suggestion. I nodded. "I'll consider it." Jingcheng wasn't as bustling or developed as Jiangcheng, but its pace of life was slower. If I had to choose a city to spend the rest of my life in, it was an ideal candidate. I had intended to pay, but he'd already settled the bill. As we walked out of the restaurant, I said, "I owe you for this one. Next time's on me." He nodded. "I hope that next meal will be in Jingcheng." His words caught me off guard. I just managed a small, uncertain smile, not knowing what to say. It was getting late, and I needed to head back. As I reached my car, he suddenly asked, "Is the procedure scheduled?" I turned back to look at him and nodded. "Tomorrow." Once a decision is made, there's no point in delaying. He hummed in acknowledgment. "Does Fu Shenyan know?" "No." I shook my head. "And I don't plan on telling him." His brows drew together, but he said nothing more. I started the car. Seeing him standing motionless by his own vehicle, I didn't press the matter. With a brief wave, I drove back to the villa. The drive was ten minutes. I parked in front of the villa but didn't get out, instead pulling out the divorce papers. A bitter feeling twisted in my gut. I’d always imagined I would only sign these papers with a knife to my throat, Fu Shenyan forcing my hand. I never thought I would be the one to bring them to him. Fu Shenyan had always been generous when it came to finances. He had promised me this villa and the majority of the annual dividends from the Fu Corporation. Looking at the terms, I almost wanted to laugh. Maybe from the very beginning, he thought this was all I was after. That if he just gave me everything I could possibly want, I would have no reason not to sign. After a long while, I signed my name. Back in the villa, the living room was pitch black. After changing my shoes, I reached for the light switch, only to freeze when the light revealed the man sitting silently in the dark. I jumped, my heart pounding. His dark eyes, deep and bottomless, were fixed on me, betraying no emotion. I couldn't read him at all. Taking a moment to steady myself, I asked, "Why are you sitting in the dark? Have you eaten?" Fu Shenyan ignored my questions. "Where have you been?" His tone was cold and detached, but laced with an undercurrent of displeasure. "I stopped by the office," I replied, heading into the kitchen. "I'll make you something to eat." After the scene Lu Xinran had caused at the hospital today, he probably hadn't eaten. The thought made me feel foolish. I was about to leave him; what did I care if he starved? But he was still the man I had held in my heart for so long. Even if we were parting ways, it didn't have to be by tearing each other to shreds until nothing but bitterness remained. We could at least preserve some good memories. As I was cooking the noodles, a sudden chill crept down my spine. I whipped around to find Fu Shenyan's eyes on me, his gaze cool and remote. "Wh-what is it?" He usually looked at me with either coldness or disgust. But today, his expression was far too complex, and it threw me off balance. He didn't answer, which I took to mean he didn't want to talk. So I kept quiet, finished the noodles, and placed the bowl on the dining table. "There wasn't much in the fridge, just some eggs. You'll have to make do." I was about to head upstairs to wash up when his voice cut through the silence. "Is a marriage also something you can 'make do' with?" I froze, a sharp pain twisting in my chest. Normally, I would have stayed silent, but for some reason, my eyes started to burn. I looked at him. "Even if it isn't, haven't we been 'making do' for two years?" "Fu Shenyan, I agree to the divorce." I pulled the signed papers from my bag and laid them on the table in front of him. A bitter taste filled my mouth. "I've already signed. Take a look. We should find some time to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau and finalize it." The words tumbled out in a rush. I let out a breath, swallowing the lump in my throat. Looking at his handsome, cold face, I added, "And don't worry about the baby. I'll give you and Lu Xinran the resolution you want." When you make certain decisions, you have to live with the consequences. I didn't dare look at the barely concealed fury on Fu Shenyan's face. I turned to go upstairs. This would probably be the last conversation we'd ever have in this house. A hand shot out, clamping around my wrist. "Resolution?" Fu Shenyan's voice was low, seething with a rage that felt ready to ignite. Knowing how angry he was, I didn't turn around. I choked back my own pain. "I'll handle it. The baby won't be a problem for Lu Xinran." "Shen Shu!" His fury peaked, his grip so tight my wrist went numb. "What do you think you're doing? Divorcing me? Getting rid of it? And then just walking away?" "What else am I supposed to do?" I finally turned to face him, the tears I'd been holding back finally streaming down my cheeks. "What other choice do I have? Fu Shenyan, isn't this what you've always wanted? For me to agree to a divorce and get far away from you? What am I doing wrong now?" The look in Fu Shenyan’s eyes deepened, as if a layer of frost had settled over them. "You think you're so clever?" He sneered, his long fingers seizing my chin. I winced in pain and tried to pull away, but he only tightened his grip, forcing our faces close, our breath mingling. "That is my child in your womb—Fu Shenyan's child. You have no right to decide its fate." "I have no right?" A humorless laugh escaped my lips. I looked him straight in the eye and said, word by word, "And Lu Xinran does?" His dark eyes narrowed, radiating a chilling, predatory cold. "Shen Shu," he hissed, "you're asking for death."