CHAPTER 14: CHAPTER 14: RUSHING INTO HIS ARMS TO TELL HIM SHE’S PREGNANT

Victoria Monroe didn’t reply.

She lay in the bathtub, her fingers reached for the position of her lower abdomen.

It’s so quiet here, she didn’t feel anything yet.

Even though she had scheduled an abortion surgery, her motherly instinct still made her have expectations for this child.

During this time, she didn’t wear makeup, didn’t put on high heels, didn’t drink alcohol, and even just took a small sip of coffee.

If only all this were a dream, then she could wake up and throw herself into Julian Fordham’s arms without any worry.

She would tenderly tell him that she’s finally pregnant.

But now, one thing after another is forcing her to leave.

She can’t even find a way to save the situation.

Victoria Monroe picked up a hot towel and covered her eyes, this way the tears wouldn’t flow out.

She had been with Julian Fordham for so many years, a few years ago she had thought about announcing her partner’s identity.

When she won her first Best Actress award, his career had just started to take off, and he felt he wasn’t worthy of her, so he asked her not to announce it.

Later, when he became successful, he chose to keep the marriage hidden.

Although he never hid the fact that he was married in front of the media, the identity of Mrs. Fordham has always been a mystery.

She nurtured Julian Fordham from a small sapling to a towering tree, only to let Rachel Hayes take the fruit.

Just seeing their names lined up together, Victoria Monroe felt like her heart was being fiercely slashed.

Though no blood could be seen, she felt immense pain, curling up like a shrimp, sobbing and crying in the deserted bathroom, venting freely.

That night, she didn’t know how she fell asleep.

Lying on the enormous bed, staring at their wedding photo.

This photo was actually one she had edited herself; after retiring she had scheduled times to take photos together, but during that time he was too busy and couldn’t make time.

He once promised her at night while holding her body, "Someday, I’ll give you a grand wedding, let the whole world witness our happiness."

Later, she was busy preparing for pregnancy, frequently visiting the hospital, changing medication regularly.

Just the effort for pregnancy exhausted her both physically and mentally, and she no longer brought up the idea of taking photos.

Perhaps the outcome between her and Julian Fordham was predestined in some way, destined to be a tragedy.

Her hand placed on her abdomen, in this world, besides her grandmother, this child was the closest to her.

Darling, let me love you for twenty more days.

As dawn approached.

She heard the sound of water coming from the bathroom, leaving a sliver in the blackout curtain, outside was hazy and bright.

Julian Fordham pulled back the covers and lay down, the air filled with the fresh scent of shower gel.

He embraced her from behind, as if nothing had happened, his voice filled with obvious fatigue.

"Honey, when the sun rises, Assistant Prescott will submit the immigration documents for that woman; as soon as they are approved, she won’t appear in front of you anymore."

Victoria Monroe didn’t move, her voice faint, "Julian Fordham, I saw the news."

The hot body against her back slightly stiffened.

If he wanted to clarify, withdraw, he would have acted last night.

But he did nothing, now the company’s account still had that official announcement video posted.

So in his heart, she was still not as important as work.

What was she hoping for anyway?

Did she really think she was the only person in his world?

Women are emotional, men are rational, this saying makes sense.

Back then, she could give up her job for him, now he was willing to wrong her for his future.

This divorce, she wasn’t unreasonable proposing it.

In the past few days of waking from dreams at midnight, she also wondered, if he asked Rachel Hayes to abort the child and returned to the family, could she forgive him?

But now, she was clearer about her place in his heart.

There’s nothing more important in this world than power.

Julian Fordham held her waist, "Victoria, I know you feel wronged, Rachel Hayes somehow got involved with Autumn, that news was released by Autumn, if I clarify, it would cause a problematic public opinion for the company, creating huge trouble and negative effects."

"You know the collaboration with Willis is important, this issue doesn’t just concern me alone, the staff in the research department have been working overtime for a long time, if the cooperation falls apart at this time, it will not just lead to a drop in shares, but also invalidate everyone’s hard work and effort."

His voice was filled with endless fatigue, "I’m sorry, it’s my fault, don’t worry, once I sign the contract with Willis, and that woman goes abroad, no one will stand between us anymore."

Sunlight broke through the clouds, a line of golden light slipped through that tiny crack and spilled onto the big bed.

Victoria Monroe reached out to touch that beam of light, her voice very light, "Julian Fordham, it’s dawn."

So, the dream should end too.

He couldn’t wrong his sister, couldn’t wrong the staff’s efforts, couldn’t wrong the company to bear this burden, couldn’t wrong the pregnant Rachel Hayes.

So he ended up wronging his original wife.

The wound from last night was once again torn open by him, her heart felt empty and hollow, as if the wind was blowing through.

Cold, and eventually just numb.

Julian Fordham hadn’t slept well these past few days, and smelling her scent, he finally drifted into a deep sleep, completely exhausted.

He had a dream.

In the dream, Victoria Monroe was wearing a gorgeous dress, holding a trophy, lifting her hem with a beaming face, running towards him.

"Julian, I finally got my wish, I’m the Best Actress!"

He held her and spun in circles, his eyes full of loneliness.

He feared she would fly higher, she was so bright and dazzling, and he, would be left behind by her.

So he had to work even harder, to catch up with her footsteps.

The scene shifted, she removed the aura of Best Actress, casually pinned up her hair, wearing a simple white cotton dress, running from the rose garden towards him.

"Julian, you’ve come home."

"Honey."

He hugged her tightly, but the woman in his arms transformed into countless white butterflies, instantly scattering and flying away.

Julian Fordham opened his eyes, on the vast bed there was only him left, the feeling of isolation and loss from the dream was stark.

He got up and went downstairs, Mrs. Xu was cleaning the room.

"Where’s my wife?" he asked casually as he put on his watch.

Mrs. Xu, usually attentive, didn’t even lift her head today, asking sarcastically, "Sir, may I know which wife you’re asking about?"

Even Mrs. Xu, who was at the forefront of celebrity news, saw the news too.

"I only have one wife," Julian Fordham emphasized.

"Then that’s not necessarily true, sir; didn’t you just watch fireworks with someone last night? How romantic, five million two hundred thousand worth of fireworks, just like that."

Julian Fordham felt a bit of a headache, since Mrs. Xu had been diligent, he didn’t quibble, "What’s in the kitchen to eat?"

"There’s turtle soup, lamb soup, black chicken with sea cucumber, and pigeon soup with eucommia."

Julian Fordham frowned slightly, "Why is it all soup?"

"Sir, won’t you be tired running between two places? I specially brewed some herbs for you to replenish your kidneys."

Julian Fordham: "..."

He walked around the villa, but didn’t find Victoria Monroe.

He had to call her phone; the voice on the other end was mechanical, "Sorry, the phone you are calling is currently unavailable..."

He gripped the phone, veins bulging on the back of his hand, spoke with a chill in his voice, "Where did my wife go?"