Chapter 2

I sat in the corner of the conference room, watching Lucas's eager gaze.

It was a look he had never given me.

He stood on the stage, his fingers gently caressing the AI projection, his movements as tender as if touching a lover. "From today on, her name is Lily."

I gripped the armrest of my chair, another nail chipping off.

"The name Lily..." someone in the audience asked curiously.

Lucas's voice was unbelievably gentle: "She's the regret of my life, and my eternal first love."

Whispers filled the conference room. I saw several female employees exchanging meaningful glances. Some covered their mouths, pointing at me without any attempt to hide it.

I lowered my head, not wanting anyone to see my pale face. The dark circles under my eyes were like brands behind my glasses, and my gaunt cheeks made me look ten years older than I actually was.

A year ago, I was still young and beautiful. Now I was just skin and bones, weighing only 90 pounds. Two miscarriages and overwork had left me with irregular periods, and dizziness had become a daily occurrence.

"Lily, how do you feel?" Lucas's voice carried a tenderness I had never heard before.

The AI projection emitted a soft glow: "I feel great, thank you, Creator."

My vision began to blur, and there was a ringing in my ears. The lights in the conference room stung my eyes, and when I tried to stand up to leave, I found my legs had gone numb.

"Thud—" I fell heavily to the ground.

Gasps of shock erupted around me.

"Oh my God, she fainted!" "Call an ambulance!" "She's been working too hard..."

I forced my eyes open and saw Lucas's figure. He stood still, his gaze still fixed on the AI projection: "Lily, what do you think of this hair color? Should we adjust it?"

Tears blurred my vision. I curled up on the cold floor, listening to the footsteps of people around me gradually fading away.

In my daze, I heard his assistant's voice: "Boss, don't you think we're going too far? Your wife has been working non-stop for a year, her health is ruined, and you're even giving her drugs to induce miscarriage when she's pregnant..."

"To revive my Lily, her miscarriage ensures she won't be distracted from work. I can't accept even a second of delay." Lucas's voice was as cold as ice.

So... that's how it was.

I finally understood why he always made me red date tea after each pregnancy. Why he always said it was more convenient to have a private doctor come to the house whenever I wanted to go for a prenatal check-up.

I thought it was his thoughtfulness, but it turned out to be his poison.

I bit my lip, not letting myself make a sound. But tears fell uncontrollably, splashing onto the floor.

As my consciousness faded, I heard the sound of an ambulance siren approaching from afar.