Eric’s tall figure approached Sarah from a distance, striding past her without a glance.

She stopped. She wasn’t sure whether Eric hadn’t seen her or if he was just ignoring her, but she saw clearly that the woman in Eric’s arms was the one from the news. It was Vanessa.

Sarah walked tiredly out of the hospital. She was utterly lost, not knowing what to do.

In the taxi, the driver asked Sarah where she wanted to go, but Sarah was stumped by this simple question.

She didn’t want to return to Whispering Pines Estates, knowing it might soon no longer be her home. After a brief pause, Sarah said, “Lakeside Residences, please.”

After getting married, Sarah had purchased an apartment there.

She had planned to bring her grandmother, Phoebe, to retire here, so she bought a 700-square-foot apartment.

Though small, it was cozy enough for two people. Eric didn’t understand and had offered to buy her a bigger house, but Sarah had refused.

Now, she felt that might have been the only good decision she had made.

When Sarah arrived at the apartment building, she sat alone in the park, enjoying the cool breeze, trying to clear her mind.

She recalled the past, filled with both sweetness and bitterness. It had been two years. More than seven hundred days had passed.

Sarah had believed that no matter how cold Eric was, she would eventually melt his heart. But now it felt as if countless mocking voices were echoing in her ears, telling her that it was all just wishful thinking.

Later that evening, Sarah went upstairs. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Eric standing at the door.

His sleeves were casually rolled up, his shirt collar loosened, revealing his long neck and a glimpse of his collarbone.

Standing there, he looked both beautiful and irresistible. Sarah was stunned. Eric had gone to the hospital with Vanessa, so why was he here? Their eyes met.

Eric draped his coat over his arm, his hands in his pockets, and, squinting at Sarah, asked, “Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

Eric’s expression was indifferent, as if he hadn’t rested well, with a hint of impatience in his eyes. Sarah pulled out her phone and realized she had accidentally put it on silent.

There were five missed calls, all from Eric. This was the first time in two years that Eric had called her multiple times because he couldn’t find her. In the past, Sarah would have been overjoyed, happier than if she had won the lottery.

But now, Sarah threw her phone back into her bag and leaned against the wall. Her voice was hoarse, “I didn’t hear it.”

Eric raised his hand and glanced at his watch. “I’ve been looking for you for two hours.”

After settling Vanessa, Eric had returned home to find it empty. He searched for Sarah for a long time, even having Rachel review surveillance footage of when Sarah left the office. He hadn’t expected her to return to Lakeside Residences without telling him.

“Let’s go. We’re leaving.” Eric turned away without even looking at Sarah, heading toward the elevator.

Eric meant to return to Whispering Pines Estates. Sarah watched Eric’s broad back, feeling a sense of reluctance. She wondered, Can I ... Do we still have a future? Eric turned his head, noticing that Sarah was still standing there, and frowned. “Are you waiting for me to carry you?”

Under the yellow streetlight, Eric’s exquisite face was sharply defined, flawless, without a single blemish. Sarah took a deep breath and looked at him. “Eric, let’s get a divorce.”

“What do you mean?” Eric’s voice was cold, his handsome face darkening.

“I want to leave. Soon, we won’t have any connection...” Sarah forced a smile, but her heart ached as if someone was tearing it apart.

“No connection?”

Eric’s lips curled into an emotionless smirk. “Sarah, in your eyes, what kind of relationship do we have?”

Eric’s question made Sarah’s breath catch. He was right. From the beginning, Eric had known his role. There was nothing between them but an agreement. They had been intimate, but there was no love between them.

In the eyes of others, they had no relationship outside of the company. Eric was New York’s most eligible bachelor, pursued by many socialites. Was Eric reminding her that he was afraid she would cling to him?

Sarah bit her lower lip, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, and nodded. “I’m sorry, Mr. Taylor. This was just my wishful thinking. Please go back. You don’t need to come to Lakeside Residences anymore.”

After saying that, Sarah couldn’t hold back her tears. How could she not be heartbroken? She had loved Eric for ten years. But no matter how hard it was, Sarah would learn to let go. She wouldn’t allow herself to become a joke.

The sensor lights in the hallway flickered on and off.

Eric narrowed his eyes, his thin lips pressed tightly together, radiating a dangerous aura. He would indulge Sarah’s occasional temper, but this time she had gone too far. Seeing the tears in Sarah’s eyes, Eric’s anger nearly dissipated. He lowered his voice, “If this is about Brianna…”

“This has nothing to do with her. Mr. Taylor, please leave.”

Brianna wasn’t the only one between them.

Sarah felt exhausted. She brushed past Eric, opened the door, and was about to go inside.

Eric was displeased with Sarah’s stubbornness. He tugged at his tie in frustration, then stepped forward and grabbed Sarah’s wrist, pulling her into his arms.

“Can you stop making a big deal out of this?”Sarah said.

The next moment, Eric’s frown deepened as he placed his hand on Sarah’s shoulder, turning her to face him. Sarah’s body was burning up and not feeling very well. “You have a fever.”

Sarah felt dizzy, weakly leaning against Eric’s chest, her legs giving out beneath her. For some reason, the air was thick with tension.

Eric lowered his head, as if he was about to kiss her in the next second. Sarah, slow to react, realized that the position was too close and instinctively pushed him away.

However, before she could step back, she was pulled back by her waist. The overhead light flickered as Eric lifted her up. Without hesitation, he headed towards the elevator.

Sarah, her mind muddled by the fever, asked softly, “What are you going to do?”

“We’re going to the hospital,” Eric said, his brow furrowed.

“No!” Sarah’s voice rose in alarm, and she suddenly became more alert.

If Sarah were to be put on an IV drip, she might lose the baby in her womb. Even if this child was unwanted, as long as it was inside her, she was its mother. She struggled to break free from Eric’s hold, but his grip was too strong. His arms held her firmly.

Ignoring her resistance, Eric’s tone was stern, “You’re sick. You need to see a doctor.”

Carrying Sarah towards the elevator, Eric’s voice was filled with urgency, but Sarah’s heart pounded in fear.

“I can’t go to the hospital!”