Forgive the Knife, Not the Lie

Natalie stepped out of the bedroom, intending to go downstairs for a glass of water.

As she passed the guest room, she saw what was happening inside.

Adrian and Yana were lying on the bed. He was gently resting a hand on her belly while telling her unborn child a story.

Seeing this, even though she had already given up on him, Natalie's heart still clenched painfully.

She had once been pregnant too. But three years ago, Adrian had suffered serious liver problems.

When no one was willing to undergo a living liver donation, she had quietly had an abortion and donated part of her liver to him.

From that moment on, her health was never the same, and it became very difficult for her to get pregnant again.

The entire Brown family knew about it. Everyone except Adrian.

He had always thought she avoided having children because she was afraid of pain, never realizing that she had nearly lost the ability to be a mother because of him.

After coming downstairs, Natalie had just poured herself a glass of water when Yana appeared.

"What's wrong? Trouble sleeping alone, Ms. Harrington?"

Natalie didn't want to engage, but Yana stepped directly into her path.

"Don't go. Let's have a proper talk."

"What, showing your true colors at last?" Natalie looked up at her. "Not going to keep pretending?"

"Pretend for what? You and Adrian already signed the divorce papers. What's left for me to pretend?" Yana sneered. "Since you've decided to divorce, then get lost already. Stop dragging this out and playing hard to get, thinking you can make Adrian change his mind. Dream on. He's destined to be mine!"

Her words completely stirred up what little calm Natalie had left.

"Yours? Yana, I've known Adrian for decades. How long have you known him? One year. And after one year, you dare say he belongs to you? That's bullshit!"

She stared at Yana, her eyes icy and devoid of warmth. "I was willing to step aside for a mistress like you. You should be grateful, not showing off in front of me. Yana, if you provoke me again, I'll tear up that divorce agreement immediately and make sure you never become Mrs. Brown."

"You—how dare you!"

Yana raised her hand to strike her, but Natalie caught her wrist tightly. "Try me and see if I dare. I've always lived by one rule, if you don't provoke me, I won't provoke you. You mark my words! Adrian wasn't taken by you. I threw him away. You picked up my discarded trash. What do you possibly have to be proud of?"

"It hurts, Natalie! Let go of me!" Yana struggled, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't break free.

"Remember what I said. Don't provoke me. Otherwise, I'd rather ruin things completely with Adrian than ever make things easy for you."

Natalie flung her hand away and turned to go upstairs.

Behind Natalie, Yana suddenly grabbed the water from the table and poured it over her own head.

"Ah! Ms. Harrington, why would you do this to me?"

Before Natalie could even react, Adrian rushed down the stairs.

"Yana, what happened to you?" Seeing her drenched, Adrian exploded. "Who did this? Natalie! Was it you?"

Yana spoke pitifully. "Adrian, don't blame Ms. Harrington. I know she doesn't want me to be pregnant, and she doesn't want me to marry you… I understand."

"Natalie, apologize to Yana!" Adrian's expression darkened. He glared at Natalie, disappointment filling his eyes. "I thought you were truly understanding, willing to divorce me so I could marry Yana and give her a proper status. But it turns out you're this two-faced. You've disappointed me deeply!"

Natalie laughed softly. "You believe her just like that? You don't even ask me whether I actually poured water on her?"