He Mocked My Birth, I Married a New Man

Chapter 4

I thought I'd toss and turn the night before I went to break off the engagement, but in truth, it was the best sleep I'd had in the seven years since Gideon died.

Before heading to the Hayes family home, I bought some gifts at the mall.

Once I got into the taxi, a new post appeared on a public account I follow on social media.

A few years ago, desperate to understand everything about Donovan, I started following that account after he joined this hospital.

He never shared his work with me, the only person he ever had real conversations with was Sarah, and that never changed.

The post included a group photo from before the training started, and another of Donovan and Sarah sitting face to face, sharing a meal.

Both of them were smiling, but in this shot, Sarah's hand was poking Donovan's cheek. It looked like a candid photo, the kind that practically radiated warmth.

The top comment came from the same IP address as mine, it was probably a colleague at their hospital.

A: [Even though Doctor Donovan's taken, the new intern Sarah looks more fit for him.]

There were replies below.

B: [Is there any insider information? Spill the tea.]

C: [I can only say that Doctor Donovan takes good care of this intern at the hospital; no more information!]

It was clearly expected, and I had braced myself, but seeing these comments still made my heart ache.

I tightened my grip on my phone as I shifted my gaze out the window. The car happened to pull up right in front of the Hayes estate.

Donovan's mother, Emma Hayes, was already waiting right there. She took the gifts while talking to me, bringing up the delay in getting the marriage certificate. "It's my fault for not raising my son properly. But don't you worry. This time, he will take you to get that certificate."

"Thank you, Emma, but I've actually come to end the engagement."

Donovan's mother froze for a moment, then her eyes reddened. "The Hayes family has failed you. If this is truly what you want, I won't force you. If you ever need anything in the future, don't hesitate to come to me. I'll always be here."

Her reddened eyes mirrored those from years ago, and I couldn't help but remember the year my mourning period ended, when she held my hand with tears welling in her eyes and said, "Despite everything, your brother died to save my son. We won't mistreat you once you marry into this family. Now that you're all alone in this world, it's better to have more people to hold onto."

I gently pulled my hand back.

"Thank you, Emma, but I never thought of repaying kindness out of obligation. My brother's death is my burden to bear, it has nothing to do with anyone else."

"I can see you care for Donovan, and I can also see he cares about you. Are you really not willing to give it a try?"

Give it a try? I'd spent the last four years trying as hard as I could.

Four years had passed, I'd gotten hurt more times than I could count, and that's enough.

I didn't refuse Donovan's mother's kindness and stayed to share one last meal with her. Just after we finished eating, my phone suddenly buzzed. The name on the screen caught me off guard, and I glanced over at Donovan's mother, who was typing with her head down.

In four years of being engaged, Donovan never called me, not even once. Besides confirming the dissolution of the engagement so that he would have the right to pursue Sarah, I couldn't think of any other reason.

I took a few deep breaths and steeled myself to answer.

Donovan appeared on screen wearing the same white coat from the public account's photo.

His face held no smile, but just a cold, stern expression.

Words I never meant to say slipped out before I could stop them.

"Donovan, could you smile at me once?"

I watched the iciness on his face deepen, and couldn't help but laugh bitterly at myself for still hoping, even now.

His love, his smile, his emotions, everything he had belonged to Sarah.

So I shifted the subject.

"Did you need something from me?"

It came out so cold that Donovan couldn't help but frown.

I hated how much he affected my emotions, and having made up my mind to finally be honest about everything, I ended up speaking almost at the same time as him.

"What are you doing at the mansion?"

"Donovan, I already told your mom I want to end the engagement."