“Alright, fine.”

Caleb agreed without hesitation, then turned and walked away.

The door slammed shut with a resounding thud, and it felt like the whole house trembled in response.

As soon as he left, Yasmin collapsed onto the floor, as if her soul had been sucked out of her.

Sitting there, she couldn’t gather herself for a long time, her mind swirling with memories of the five years she spent trying to please Caleb, convinced that even if he were an ice cube, he would eventually warm up.

But now, seeing how tenderly he cared for another woman, Yasmin finally realized just how laughable she had been.

When someone doesn't love you, they just don’t, no matter how much time passes. Love is not something that simply develops with time.

—

Late into the night,

Yasmin didn't rest well, but after eating something and taking a short break, she felt somewhat better.

She was lightly asleep when a phone rang, jolting her awake.

The call was from VitalCare Rehabilitation Facility.

“Miss Jenkins, we detected signs of your mother’s vital signs stabilizing tonight. She needs an emergency medication. What do you think...?”

Without a second thought, Yasmin replied, “Yes! Whatever it takes to wake my mother up, I’ll do it, no matter the cost.”

However, as she attempted to make the payment, she discovered that Caleb had frozen her secondary card. Her heart sank at that moment.

Only a few hours had passed since she mentioned divorce, and already he had frozen the account.

In the five years of marriage, Caleb had given money to her mother’s treatment at VitalCare Rehabilitation, while Yasmin had spent almost all of her salary on their household, managing their small family.

She had naively thought that by buying things for him with her own money, it would show her sincerity. But now, it only put her in a difficult position.

The balance in her account was meager.

Love makes you blind.

Taking a deep breath, Yasmin called Isabella to borrow money. Isabella had always been her best friend at the hospital.

Isabella didn’t ask any questions; without hesitation, she transferred the money. Yasmin, who was proud by nature and had never asked for help, must have been in a dire situation to be calling her late at night.

“I don’t need the money back right away,” Isabella said gently. “Take your time, get through this, and repay me when you can.”

Yasmin’s nose tingled with emotion. “Thank you, Isabella.”

—

The next morning, Yasmin arrived at the hospital early.

As soon as she exited the elevator, she saw Hailey linking arms with Caleb. Hailey was wearing a white dress, pure and youthful.

“Bro Caleb, don’t you think this might be a bit inappropriate...?” The young girl seemed shy and conflicted. “People will say I’m just a ‘special case.’”

Caleb glanced at her, his gaze soft and his voice indulgent. “You’re someone I protect. Who dares to say anything about you? You’re pregnant. How could I let you run around working?”

“And besides,” he added, “I know you can handle it.”

Hailey blushed, her face turning the color of rosy cheeks. “Oh, no...”

The two of them walked further away, heading toward the office.

Yasmin stood at the elevator entrance, staring at their retreating figures, her heart stinging with every step.

Listening to their conversation felt like a slap in the face. The last time she was pregnant, she was so weak she fainted, but Caleb never once looked her way.

So this is what it meant for him to care and protect someone—this was how he showed his love.

Yasmin pressed her hand to her abdomen, watching them walk farther away, a suffocating feeling building in her chest. The weight of her emotions seemed like it would never lift, and her vision blurred with tears.

From their conversation, it seemed that Caleb had arranged for Hailey to work at the hospital—what kind of position was she given, though?

Yasmin had started at the very bottom of the hospital, working herself to exhaustion as an intern. Caleb had always said she wasn’t good enough and deserved to suffer.

But now, he was arranging a smooth path for Hailey, shielding her from even the smallest hardships.

“Director Jenkins, are you alright?” A nurse passed by and asked.

Yasmin snapped out of her daze, wiped her wet eyes, and forced a small smile. “I didn’t sleep well yesterday, just a bit of eye strain.”

“I thought you were crying, Director Jenkins. You need to take care of yourself, too.”

“Mm, go ahead and get back to work.”

Yasmin took a deep breath, then made her way toward the office. Just as she entered the door, she collided with Caleb, who was striding out.

The man’s chest was hard as stone, and Yasmin stumbled backward, only managing to steady herself by grabbing the door frame.

“Hailey is still here,” Caleb said coldly. “Don’t act all affectionate in public. She’ll get jealous.”