Chapter 5

Megan fell hard on her backside. Countless flashes went off, capturing her most humiliating moment. Instinctively, Megan looked toward Howard, only to meet his cold eyes. She understood the unspoken words in his gaze. A stabbing pain shot through her heart. He wanted her to tell the media that this was all just a misunderstanding, that Alyssa was feeling unwell, and since her husband happened to be there, showing compassion for a sick person was exactly the kind of virtue a man should have. The hand over her stomach grew firm for a moment. Megan looked down, a smile on her lips. As clouds drifted slowly across the blue sky, sunlight filtered in scattered beams through the crowd. Yet, none of it fell on her. Suppressing her emotions, Megan slowly stood up. With her back toward Howard, she replied calmly, "I sympathize with Ms. Hardin's illness, but that's all there is to it." "So, you and Alyssa are friends then?" someone asked cluelessly. "Friends?" Megan chuckled. "No. Who would ever be friends with someone who spends all day clinging to her husband?" Megan remarked coldly, then waved toward Selena, who had just pulled up in her car. "Megan!" Howard's voice rang out angrily behind her. Nevertheless, she ignored him completely, stubbornly standing with her back turned. Selena quickly pulled Megan away, and before leaving, she sneered. "Jeez, if I didn't know better, I'd think the wife and the mistress just switched places. I've never met anyone so shameless! Sheesh!" "You!" Alyssa was about to snap back, but was cut off by Selena. "What about me? Every word I said is true. If you want to use the cameras around to bully me, then go ahead." Alyssa's face darkened even more, and she looked as though she might faint. The scene immediately fell into chaos as Selena whisked Megan into the car. Without a glance back, they drove off. "Don't worry. She's clearly pretending to faint. I've seen people do that way too many times and can tell instantly," Selena reassured. Megan gave a helpless smile. "It's not her I'm worried about. I'm worried about you. What if they come after your job?" At a red light, Selena braked, then flashed a wide grin at her. "Did you forget, Meg? The hospital director is my father." Megan rolled her eyes at her. "Didn't someone once swear she'd never acknowledge that old man as her father for life?" "Jeez, I just never realized how useful he was when I didn't need him. If I could, I'd make every big shot in the world my father!" They joked back and forth, and by the time Selena was sure Megan was fine, the light turned green and the car moved on. "I'm free this afternoon, so go ahead and tell me what you want to do. Whatever you need, I'll do it!" Selena announced with a playful look. Infected by her mood, Megan grinned slyly. "Oh, perfect timing—I actually do need your help with something." "What is it?" Selena asked innocently. "Help me move out." Megan caught her wrist. "No backing out." In the end, Selena gave in. So the two of them, along with a professional organizer and some movers, headed to the home Megan and Howard had lived in for the past year. Their marriage had been rushed, so most of their belongings had been bought in haste. That villa was no exception. But after a year of her meticulous care, it had started to feel like a real home. No longer was it a cold, empty building. What a pity… While Selena directed the movers, Megan reached for the bottle of Chanel No. 5 on a shelf. It was the gift Howard had brought back for her from his first business trip after their wedding. Its scent was timeless. When he returned, she could still smell the smog of Lambain on him. He had clearly rushed straight to her after getting off the plane. That day, his embrace was urgent, his kiss desperate. Back then, they had been like any other ordinary couple. She took off the cap and sprayed a little. The familiar scent lingered. It smelled just like the time he spritzed it on her before kissing her lips. "Should we pack this too?" Selena asked upon seeing the perfume, signaling someone over. Megan shook her head. "No need." She slipped off the simple wedding ring Howard had bought without much thought before setting it on the table. However, as she watched the movers bustling about, she hesitated. In the end, she put both the perfume and the ring into a drawer. Before long, the packing was done. Everything of hers was gone, except for that bottle of perfume and that ring. Moving might seem troublesome, but once it was decided, it could be done quickly. The same was true for sorting out what was in one's heart. The car headed toward Megan's new home, the wind tousling her hair as her old home grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. To move forward, one had to let go of the past. She still had many important things to do. The sudden downfall of the Stafford family, the "accidental" death of William—she had to uncover the truth of it all. Megan had lived her life for others long enough. It was time she started living for herself, and she would begin with that music competition show, not just for the money but also to be seen by people who once knew her father. With that thought, Megan took out her phone, found a certain contact, and replied, "I'll join that show." … Elsewhere, Alyssa was still crying. Howard gently comforted her, but his mind kept replaying the image of Megan walking away. Megan had stood there, back turned, saying those words. She had known exactly what he wanted her to say, yet once again, she defied him. He had sent her countless messages after that, but she hadn't replied once. She was acting out again. In just over a day, she seemed to have transformed into someone else, deliberately going against him. Her behavior was the same when they got their copies of the divorce petition form as it was now at the hospital. For some reason, Howard suddenly recalled Megan's steady gaze on him the night before, when she asked him to confirm his decision. She looked sad, yet calm. That look unsettled him. "Howard, please don't blame Meg," Alyssa said through tears. "I know she's upset. Seeing us together at the hospital, of course she'd react. I can accept that. After all…" She cried even harder. "After all, this is something I stole from her… I'm stealing what we have from your marriage for the next six months, so no matter how Meg lashes out at me, it's what I deserve." She began coughing as she spoke, then blood started coming from her mouth. "Alyssa!" Howard panicked, immediately calling for an ambulance. As for Megan's strange behavior, he assumed she was just sulking. After all, she would never leave him. Alyssa shook her head, smiling weakly. "This just happens since the cancer is advanced. Don't worry." She was quickly helped back into bed by Lily. Watching Howard storm off, probably to confront Megan, Alyssa wiped the blood away and spat out the hidden blood capsule she had used. She chuckled to Lily. "How badly do you think he will scold Megan? Haha! I can't wait to know." Then, happily, she scrolled through online comments under the videos. The internet was flooded with criticism of Megan. "Alyssa only went to the hospital for medication. It wasn't even life-saving meds, just painkillers to die with dignity. And Megan still had to make a scene!" "Alyssa's already on her deathbed, yet Megan can't take it anymore?" "Honestly, Alyssa and Mr. Larson are perfect together. They look like a match made in heaven when they're side by side!" "Megan's fall was so embarrassing. She looked pathetic." "Megan should just let Alyssa have him already!" "Get a divorce, Megan!" "I agree!" "Me too!" Beaming, Alyssa picked up her phone to give orders. "This is perfect. Keep creating drama like today and keep the buzz going. Make sure Megan is completely defeated. Oh, and look into what Megan was doing at the hospital today."