Chapter 1

I was at the hospital.

"The baby's health indicators look fine, but you need to eat more and rest well," the doctor said, handing over the report.

I thanked the doctor, took the report, and left the hospital.

As I stepped into the parking lot, I saw Leo Reed leaning against the car, a faint cloud of smoke curling around his fingertips. Dressed in a tailored suit, his sharp, somber expression was bathed in the dim light, accentuating his fit frame and detached aura.

I stared at him almost absentmindedly.

Few would have guessed that I was once captivated by him because of his extraordinary presence on the ice. He had been an exceptional hocky athlete, but now he was entirely focused on his business.

One of my wishes after I became pregnant had been to see him back on the ice again, but he always refused.

But now, with our relationship having come to this point, it felt like an unfulfilled regret.

Hearing my footsteps, Leo glanced back and put out his cigarette. “Wait a moment until the smoke clears.”

I felt a sudden daze, my gaze meeting his deep, solemn eyes. Our marriage had been an accident; Leo had only married me for the sake of our child.

Leo took my bag and asked, “How’s the baby?”

Snapping back to reality, I touched my stomach and simply replied, “The doctor said everything is healthy.”

Leo didn’t bother to look at the report. Once I was in the car, his limited-edition Maybach rolled steadily onto the road. “Let’s head to the restaurant. I had Peter, my assistant, order some nutritious dishes for you.”

“Okay.”

Just then, the phone rang. Peter’s voice echoed in the enclosed car, “Sir, the money has been transferred.”

My heart tightened, and I quickly asked, “Did my parents ask for money again?”

Leo paused, responding casually, “Yes, your parents said it was for your brother’s business.”

I felt a wave of resentment rise in my chest. I couldn’t help but say, “Didn’t I tell you not to give them money?”

From a young age, my parents had favored my brother over me, draining me dry. Since I married Leo, they had set their sights on him instead.

But Leo just replied indifferently, “It’s just a little money.”

I wanted to say more, but the words caught in my throat. How could I explain that a year ago, I had spent three million to sever all ties with my family? I had scrimped and saved everything I could, just to break free from their grasp.

It was his indulgence that emboldened my parents, making them ever more greedy and shameless until they even made headlines. There were many ways to handle it, but Leo had chosen the simplest, easiest one. In the end, it was only because he didn’t care about me.

We soon arrived at the restaurant. Passing through a row of flowerbeds, we entered a private dining room.

After we were seated, Leo mentioned something else. “Your pregnancy symptoms have been quite severe. You should take it easy at work for now. I’ve asked Peter to hire a new assistant to help out.”

I replied with a soft “Mm.”

After graduating from college, I had joined Reed Corporation and served as Leo’s executive assistant for five years. If it weren’t for a drunken night three months ago that led to an unexpected pregnancy, we might have remained just employer and employee.

Coming back to my senses, I noticed that all the dishes had been served. The meal was light and nutritious, perfectly suitable for me.

My phone rang again, and Leo gestured for me to start eating as he stepped out to take the call.

I picked up a piece of fish, but a wave of nausea immediately rose. Covering my mouth, I rushed to the restroom, unable to stop retching. Pale-faced, I emerged, holding my stomach with a bitter smile.

I never thought I would go through this hardship.

As I rounded a corner, I heard a soft voice, “I heard you got married?”

My body stiffened, and I froze in place. Through a gap in the potted plants, I saw a man and a woman standing by the window. Leo leaned against the railing with one hand, facing a woman in a white dress, only a few steps apart.

Melody Morgan.

The woman he loved so much.

Leo remained silent. I watched as Melody straightened up, her smile tinged with bitterness. “Every day in Switzerland, I thought of you.”

“Is that so?” Leo finally responded, looking up, his tone unreadable.

Melody gazed at him one last time, then turned away, her soft voice carrying a note of sadness. “Do you still have feelings for me?”

My heart felt like it was gripped tightly, making it hard to breathe. I turned to leave, not daring to hear Leo’s response.

But his words reached me anyway, cold and cutting.

“It’s always been you.”

Chapter 2

Those words shattered my defenses completely.

“It's always been you.”

I mulled over the phrase, replaying it over and over in my mind, almost torturing myself with it.

I didn’t know how far I walked before I finally leaned weakly against the corridor railing, my gaze hollow and numb. Leo’s heart was occupied by Melody, leaving no room for me.

A bitter smile crossed my face as a decision took root in my heart. Perhaps it was best to let go—to free both of us and give him and Melody their chance.

At that moment, my phone rang. It was Leo.

My hand trembled, and I hung up immediately.

A text message soon followed.

Where did you go?

Looking around, I realized I had unconsciously wandered almost to the restaurant’s entrance. I ignored the message, pretending not to see it. I didn’t want to face him right now.

On the other side, Leo frowned at the unanswered message.

Late that night, the sound of the door opening echoed through the apartment. I, sitting on the couch, turned my head to see Leo entering, tugging off his tie. Our eyes met, and the atmosphere turned tense.

Leo’s expression was unreadable as he asked casually, “Why aren’t you asleep?”

I looked away, my emotions already under control. I replied as if nothing had happened, “Couldn’t sleep, just watching some TV.”

Leo moved to sit across from me, hesitated, then said, “I ran into Melody at the restaurant today. I didn’t expect her to be back.”

Was that... an explanation?

Surprised, I looked up, a faint trace of hope and uncertainty in my eyes.

But then Leo added, “There’s nothing between us anymore. Don’t go bothering her.” His tone carried a clear warning.

I froze, feeling an indescribable sting after the absurdity of it all. My eyes reddened, and I asked, barely controlling my voice, “If... if she’d returned three months ago, would you have still married me?”

Leo glanced at me, only saying, “We’re already married.”

Married. Such a close yet distant term.

Even up to now, I never asked the question that lingered in my heart—Leo, did you ever feel anything for me, even a little?

Watching Leo’s retreating figure, I felt an inexplicable weariness.

That night, my sleep was restless.

In one moment, I saw the decisive silhouette of Leo during our last divorce.

In another, I saw my parents pulling Melody into the spotlight, branding her as a mistress, while Leo’s eyes darkened with helplessness.

When I awoke, Leo was already gone.

I gathered myself, put on makeup, and prepared for work.

Reed Corporation, Secretarial Department.

I was handing over my duties to Peter when my colleague and friend Emilia stared in shock.

“What’s going on? Are you leaving? Why are you transferring your work? You’ve worked here for five years and were about to get promoted. Why are you leaving now?”

I gave a helpless smile and replied with the excuse I had prepared, “I’m not leaving. I’m just transferring because... I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant! When did you even get married, and who did you marry?!” Emilia’s eyes nearly popped out of her head at this bombshell.

“...Three months ago.” I only answered the first question.

I knew even at the time of divorce, hardly anyone in the company would know. For Leo, work and personal life were strictly separate.

Emilia was stunned. “That’s way too fast! You never mentioned it before. Do you two even love each other? Marriage without love is like a house of cards; it’ll collapse at the slightest gust of wind.”

I could only respond, “I’m pregnant.”

“So what if you’re pregnant? You can still get rid of it, right? Who says you have to keep it? Marriage is a lifelong commitment. If you stay with someone you don’t love, it’ll only lead to resentment or divorce. What difference does it make?”

I froze, a sour feeling welling up in my chest. Emilia’s words struck a deep chord.

Just then, Peter called. “Laura, could you come to HR? The new assistant is here for an interview, and they need you to oversee it.”

“Okay.”

I hung up and went to the interview room.

The door opened, and as I looked up, a familiar figure in a white dress entered my view.

Melody smiled warmly, “Hello, interviewers.”

Chapter 3

Melody exuded confidence and poise, her voice clear and assured.

I leaned forward slightly, glancing at the resume on Peter's desk. Melody’s resume was devoid of any work experience, instead listing an array of artistic skills—dancing, piano, painting…

Frowning, I turned and whispered to Peter, “This candidate has neither relevant experience nor the right qualifications. Shouldn’t she have been screened out in the first round?”

Peter shook his head. “The CEO personally appointed her.”

I froze, a bitter smile forming on my lips. Of course. I already knew the answer but had asked anyway, only to humiliate myself.

When Melody finished introducing herself, I didn’t hesitate. “Emilia, what do you think are the core duties of a secretary? Do you believe you can handle them?”

My question went straight to the point, blunt and unforgiving. Melody paused, then flashed a confident smile. “Though I lack work experience, I’m fluent in four languages and a quick learner.”

She raised her gaze to meet mine, a hint of meaning in her eyes. “I heard that, Ms. Laura, you also joined this company right after graduation, securing the job due to your language skills. I believe I’m just as capable.”

I fell silent. This familiar scenario made my mind drift back to five years ago. Back then, I had entered Reed Corporation full of ambition, passing every round of interviews until I stood in front of Leo. He had asked me that very question, and it had changed the course of my life. Time moved on, and I went from being his employee and wife to his ex-wife and a forgotten figure.

When I returned to the present, Melody had already left.

The following day, the HR announcement came through. Leo had made the decision himself, appointing Melody directly as his personal assistant, bypassing the usual ranks. That very day, she was already accompanying him on a business trip.

I was stunned by the news. It had taken me a year to rise from a junior assistant to Leo’s personal secretary. But Melody? She only needed a word from him.

I felt a pang of bitterness twist in my empty heart.

A week later, Leo finally returned. I prepared the project documents and headed to him for a signature. I had been working on this high-stakes project, worth nearly a billion, for over a year, and only the finalization remained. In my past life, completing this project had secured my promotion to project manager upon returning from maternity leave. Perhaps, as people say, career success often comes when romance falters.

As I passed the break room, I overheard some gossip and stopped.

Emilia’s indignant voice echoed, “Oh my god, did you guys hear? They say Melody is Mr. Reed’s first love!”

Another colleague chuckled, “Sounds like a reunion is in the works.”

“But isn’t Mr. Reed married?”

“Oh, it’s a typical wealthy marriage, all for show. I heard from Assistant Yang, who went on the trip, that Mr. Reed even reserved an entire Michelin three-star restaurant just for her!”

“Tsk tsk, was that a business trip or a date? And where does that leave the legitimate Mrs. Reed…”

Each word stabbed at my heart. I clutched the project folder tightly, my throat constricting as every breath brought a stab of pain. After a moment, I regained composure and carefully smoothed out the crumpled pages.

It’s fine. I had already decided on divorce; their actions no longer concerned me.

Calming myself, I headed resolutely toward Leo’s office. Just as I raised my hand to knock, the door opened from within. Melody stood in the doorway and smiled at me. There was something in that smile that made my heart sink.

Slowly, I stepped into the office. Leo, head down, was busy writing something, not even glancing up.

Without wasting words, I said quickly, “Mr. Reed, the Great City Company project only needs final approval. If you could review it, I’ll need your signature.” I placed the documents on his desk.

Leo finally looked up, his eyes briefly scanning the papers, but he made no move to sign.

I was puzzled until his words struck me like a thunderclap.

“From now on, Melody will be taking over this project. You’ll liaise with her.”