Chapter 2

Josephine's intuition told her that something even more revealing than that photo awaited her tonight.

At exactly 8 PM, she arrived at Room 1108 in the Radiant Pearl Hotel. The passionate moans she'd expected to hear were nowhere to be found.

The door was slightly ajar, and Josephine gently pushed it open to find the room brightly lit but empty. As she stood there confused, the curtains on the wall suddenly parted, revealing a glass panel.

On the other side, on a large bed, Gideon and Lorelei were locked in a passionate embrace. As their desire intensified, they began removing each other's clothes.

Josephine stumbled backward in shock, hardly believing her eyes. "You... you two..." she stammered, but the couple didn't notice her presence.

When Gideon lifted Lorelei from the bed and pressed her against the glass, their naked bodies entwined right before Josephine's eyes, she finally realized—this was a one-way mirror. She could see them, but they couldn't see her.

In the heat of passion, Gideon held Lorelei close and growled, his face consumed with desire: "Lori, have my baby."

Josephine couldn't bear to watch or listen anymore. Every second she remained there made her sick to her stomach. In the taxi on her way home, she suddenly felt a dull, pulling pain in her abdomen that made her break into a cold sweat. "Sir, please take me to the nearest hospital instead," she told the driver.

At the hospital, after a series of examinations, the doctor said gravely, "This pregnancy is precarious. You're showing signs of a threatened miscarriage. I recommend hospital admission to save the baby."

Hearing this, Josephine felt an unexpected flicker of relief. Every moment with Gideon since they'd met flashed through her mind like scenes from a movie.

She couldn't understand why he would cheat.

It had been seven years since she first saw him on their university campus. To marry her, Gideon had defied his entire family, willing to forfeit his inheritance and start from nothing.

During those early days of his business, they'd lived in a basement apartment, sharing single takeout meals between them. They'd survived it all together.

Even when her body proved weak and she couldn't conceive, Gideon's devotion never wavered. And yet somehow, this man had completely deteriorated.

"Ms. Kennedy?" The doctor, noticing Josephine's silence, emphasized, "With prompt treatment, there's still a chance to save this baby."

Dr. Fallon Butler didn't say it outright, but Josephine understood—the odds of keeping this pregnancy were slim. This child... the baby Josephine had longed for desperately, and now—perhaps it was better this way. Bringing a child into such an unhappy home, with such a dishonest, irresponsible father—maybe it was better if the baby had never existed at all.

Her mind made up, Josephine said quietly, "Dr. Butler, I... don't want to continue the pregnancy. Could you please schedule an abortion for next week?"

Leaving the hospital in a daze, Josephine couldn't stop the tears streaming down her face during her journey home. She hadn't even tried to save her baby—she'd failed this child. But what choice did she have?

"Jojo." Gideon had been waiting at the front door for some time. Seeing Josephine return, he rushed forward, asking anxiously, "Where have you been so late at night?"

"I wasn't feeling well, so I went to the hospital," she replied, absently handing him the hospital registration slip.

"What's wrong? What did they say?"

"Nothing serious. Just low blood sugar."

Josephine's fragile health wasn't new. Gideon carefully supported her as they walked inside. "I bought cake from your favorite bakery on my way home. Would you like some?"

Another cake? For the past six months, Gideon had brought home cake whenever he worked late. That bakery was far out in the suburbs.

Josephine had never understood why he couldn't buy cake at any other time. Why, after working so late, would he go out of his way to that distant bakery?

Now she understood. That bakery was located right below the Radiant Pearl Hotel! Gideon and Lorelei had indeed been together for some time, and she'd been a fool, completely in the dark.

"I'm not hungry. I just want to sleep," she said flatly before retreating to the bedroom.

Gideon followed, taking her into his arms as usual. "Jojo, it's been a while since we..."

"I'm on my period," Josephine interrupted coldly. She found it strange—hadn't Lorelei just satisfied him?

"I thought your period wasn't due for a few more days."

"I drank too much cold water. My stomach's upset, so it came early," she lied.

Upon hearing this, Gideon immediately got up and went to the kitchen, returning with a bowl of chicken soup. "Check if the temperature's right. Drink it while it's warm. Is your stomach very uncomfortable? Should I rub it for you? Wait, I'll get you a hot water bottle."

Watching Gideon's attentive concern, Josephine felt nothing but irony. If all this was just an act, how terrifying that he could fake it so convincingly.

The next morning, as Josephine emerged from the bedroom, she saw Mila entering the house, sweating profusely.

"Mrs. Getty, Mr. Getty left his documents at home. He called asking me to bring them over, but I still need to shop for groceries. Would it be alright if lunch is a bit late...?"

"You go get the groceries and prepare lunch. I'll deliver the documents," Josephine said.

She called a car and headed straight for the company. "Mrs. Getty, welcome," the receptionist greeted her politely.

Josephine placed the briefcase at the front desk. "I won't go up. Could you please..." Her voice trailed off as she noticed the name on a courier package nearby: Secretary Department, Lorelei Kelly.

Josephine had poured countless hours of effort into helping the company reach its current prestigious position. And now Gideon had brazenly installed his mistress right in the office?