To Hell With Him

"You've undergone IVF six times to conceive this child, Ms. Caldwell. Are you sure you want to give up? Is Mr. Spencer okay with this?" "I'm sure he'll agree." Callista Caldwell's voice is hoarse after a sleepless night. She's never felt more awake, though. "I'll schedule the surgery for a week from now, then." It's Callista and Luther Spencer's wedding anniversary in a week. This is good—she can end things where they started. After booking her flight out of the country, she places her hand on her abdomen. There's a blossoming life in there. She's looked forward to this for the past five years. She never would've expected to give up on it before it could happen. Chapter 1 The phone pinged again, showing the same trending topic that had been circulating for half a month. Luther Spencer had spent a fortune on a luxurious estate. He had planted an entire garden of roses by hand to celebrate his fifth wedding anniversary. Once again, he announced to the world that his heart belonged solely to Callista Caldwell. Countless comments followed, and each of them was expressing envy for their love. "Who says relationships with an age gap don't work out? Mr. Spencer's ultimate wedding gift is his hopeless devotion. It's said Mrs. Spencer is six years older, and it took him three years of relentless pursuit to win her over." "Everyone knows Mr. Spencer adores his wife. Two years ago, when Mrs. Spencer was trapped during the earthquake, Mr. Spencer risked his life to rescue her. "He was covered in injuries when he was finally pulled out, and yet he was more set on comforting his terrified wife. The news even showed him holding her, and both of them were in tears." "And last year, when a media outlet mocked Mrs. Spencer for her age and claimed she couldn't have children, Mr. Spencer sued them into bankruptcy. "He even made a public statement saying he didn't care whether they had children or not, but he would never allow anyone to hurt his wife over it." Callista couldn't help but force a bitter smile as she read these comments. Luther truly did ensure no one could hurt her. Yet every pain she ever felt was dealt by him. When Callista first confirmed her pregnancy, she had been eager to share the good news with Luther. But then she received a message from an unknown sender. It was a photograph of a pregnant woman. The young woman's smile was radiant as she posed for the pregnancy photograph. Meanwhile, Luther knelt beside her. He was reverently kissing her rounded belly. His face was filled with joy and contentment. Tears streamed down Callista's face. The ultrasound image she had suffered through six rounds of IVF to obtain now felt like a cruel joke. On their wedding day, Luther had sworn he would love only her for the rest of his life. But it turned out the so-called "rest of his life" lasted only five years. If that was the case, Callista decided she no longer wanted Luther in her life. And her child would not be born into a web of lies. The door creaked open. Callista's tear-streaked, blood-shot eyes met Luther's, and he immediately panicked. "What's wrong, honey? What happened? Don't cry—I'll fix it." He glanced at the ultrasound image on the table. Without looking too closely, he pulled her into his arms. "It's okay if the IVF didn't work. Even if we never have kids, it doesn't matter. Having you is enough for me. "Shh, don't cry anymore. It hurts me to see you like this." Callista gave a smile that looked worse than crying. This man was such a hypocrite. His child with someone else was about to be born, and yet he was saying this to her face. Luther didn't notice the change in her demeanor and continued comforting her. "Cally, our anniversary is in a week. I've planted an entire sea of roses for you and prepared blue fireworks. I'll set them off for you to see, okay? "Isn't blue your favorite color?" Callista stared at him blankly. She was still smiling even as tears rolled down her cheeks. It seemed he didn't remember. She had never liked the color blue. "Then, in a week, I'll give you an anniversary gift too," she said. Luther's eyes lit up with excitement as he carefully wiped away her "tears of joy." "Honey, I can't wait. I'm looking forward to your surprise." Callista silently stared at the ultrasound image. She hoped that when the time came, Luther would truly be surprised. Chapter 2 At noon the next day, Luther took Callista to the Spencer residence for lunch. Luther's mother, Jane Dawson, never liked Callista. She didn't even bother to show up on their wedding day. After the marriage, Luther moved out with Callista, only visiting his family at the end of each month. "Honey, whatever it is that my mom says later, don't take it to heart. I'm always on your side. We'll leave right after lunch," Luther reassured Callista while holding her hand. The moment they stepped through the door, Callista heard Jane's laughter. "Oh, such a sweet baby! Those tiny hands and feet just melt my heart." Callista turned pale, and her feet were rooted to the ground. She recognized the woman sitting next to Jane—it was the same woman from the pregnancy photo. "This is my friend's daughter, Wren Kirk," Jane introduced. "She's pregnant, and her family's overseas, so they asked me to take care of her. I just took her to her prenatal checkup this morning." Jane linked arms with Wren and approached them. She handed Luther an ultrasound photo with a meaningful glance. "Take a good look. Doesn't the baby resemble the parents?" A flicker of panic crossed Luther's face as he responded with a faint warning in his tone, "Mom, stop joking around. How would I know? This is my first time meeting Wren." Jane cast a glance at Callista and then pushed Wren forward. "Well then, let me properly introduce you. Wren, this Luther." Wren's cheeks turned pink as she said, "Hey, Luther." Luther gave a slight nod, then pulled Callista closer with one arm. "And this is my wife. Callista." "Nice to meet you, Callista," Wren said softly. Callista felt utterly numb. Her hands that were hanging by her sides began to tremble uncontrollably. So, the entire Spencer family knew about Wren. She was the only one kept in the dark. "What's wrong?" Luther immediately grew concerned. "Are you feeling faint from low blood sugar?" He quickly retrieved some candy he always carried with him, unwrapped one, and brought it to her lips. Callista opened her mouth mechanically. Though it was candy, all she could taste was bitterness. Luther instructed the housekeeper to start serving the meal. He was still holding her hand as they sat down. "You barely ate breakfast. Have more for lunch," he said gently. Callista silently picked up her glass of water, but Luther swapped it out for a warm one. "Your period's coming soon. You shouldn't drink anything cold, or your stomach will hurt again. "The prawns today look good. Let me peel some for you." Luther barely ate throughout the meal as he was constantly tending to Callista and ensuring her plate was never empty. "Luther is so good to his wife. I'm honestly jealous of Callista," Wren suddenly remarked. "I love prawns too. Luther, could you peel some for me as well?" Wren slid her plate toward him, but Luther acted as if he didn't see it. "If you want prawns, peel them yourself. I only peel them for my wife," he replied. Callista took a sip of the warm water while suppressing the urge to retch. "Give them to her. I don't want any." Luther froze for a moment, then playfully pouted like a child. "Fine, I'll eat them myself. Cally, how could you give away the prawns I peeled for you?" Callista's eyes glinted with sarcasm. They'd already slept together, yet they still pretended otherwise. Jane set her utensils down with a dark expression. "Callista, wasn't this your sixth IVF failure? Since Wren is here, why don't you get some tips from her?" "Mrs. Spencer, I don't really have much experience myself," Wren replied. She blushed as she shook her head. "My boyfriend and I conceived on the first try. It just happened to be my birthday, so maybe being in a good mood helped." "Well, my daughter-in-law here is ten years older than you. She's not really comparable to you," Jane said with a mocking tone. "I'm planning to let Wren move into the house so I can take better care of her. Plus, maybe her luck will rub off, and I'll have a house full of grandchildren soon." The moment she finished speaking, Luther cut her off firmly. "I don't agree." Jane's gaze turned even colder as she looked at Callista. "Why not? Just because someone here can't conceive, they just can't bear to see others succeed either?" "Are you done?" Luther's voice was icy. "Mom, if you're determined to make me stop coming here altogether, then by all means, keep going." "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause trouble." Wren stood up with teary eyes and hurried away. Luther instinctively took a step forward as if to chase her but stopped himself, realizing how inappropriate it would be. "I'm done," Callista said coldly as she watched the drama unfold. She stood and left without hesitation. The moment she walked out of the Spencer residence's gates, a notification appeared on her phone—a verification message from Wren. "March 5th is my birthday. That was our first time. He didn't let me leave the bed all day." That day, Callista had suffered her fifth IVF failure. She hadn't eaten or drunk anything and had locked herself in her room for an entire day and night. When she finally gathered the strength to open the door, she'd found Luther disheveled while sitting outside her room. She had even pitied him and comforted him. As it turned out, Luther had just rushed home from Wren's bed. How ridiculous. How tragic. She endured endless injections without complaint for five years. Yet now, the pain in her chest was unbearable, making it hard to breathe. "Why are you crying, honey?" Luther had followed her out. Seeing that her face was streaked with tears, he panicked and instinctively glanced at her phone. Chapter 3 The phone screen dimmed automatically. Luther didn't pay much attention to it and pulled Callista into his arms. He gently patted her back. "Shh, don't cry. It hurts me to see you like this. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have brought you here just to upset you. She's my mother—you don't have to put up with her for my sake. "You can yell at me or hit me if it makes you feel better." On the way home, Luther spent the entire ride trying to comfort her. Callista simply closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. Occasionally, the sound of message notifications echoed in the car. Luther was busy replying to them for the second half of the drive. When they arrived home, Luther stroked her head. "Honey, there's an urgent matter at work that I need to handle. Wait for me here, and I'll come back early tonight, okay?" Callista quietly got out of the car. After Luther left, she accepted Wren's friend request and opened her social media feed. Pinned at the top of her profile were two photos. The first was of Luther's back as he planted roses. The second was a sea of blue roses. The caption read, "Considering someone took the time to plant my favorite blue roses, I'll forgive you this once. Come and make it up to me." Callista's chest tightened at the sight. So Wren was the one who loved blue. Even the roses he planted for their anniversary weren't for her. She hailed a cab and went straight to the estate. As soon as she arrived, she saw Luther's black Bentley parked nearby. In the distance, Luther stood with his back to her in front of the sea of roses. He was unaware of her presence. "If Callista could have children, I wouldn't have needed you. She's where I draw my line. How dare you show up in front of her and throw a tantrum?" Wren's eyes brimmed with tears. "Then why come to me at all? Just leave me alone!" "Don't cry," Luther said. His tone softened. "As long as you behave, I'll take care of you for life." Wren wiped her tears and smiled before throwing herself into his arms. "I can be even better if that's what you want." "I cleared an entire afternoon for this. Do you really not know what I want?" Luther's voice was hoarse as he scooped Wren into his arms and carried her toward the estate. Just then, Wren glanced back and smirked at Callista. She had seen Callista standing there the whole time. Through the windows, shadows of their entangled figures swayed and flickered. Callista stood frozen on the roadside. Her chest was heaving with every labored breath. It felt like a barbed hook had torn into her heart, and each pull left behind a fresh, bleeding wound. "Are you here to take pictures too? Mr. Spencer and Mrs. Spencer still have such a loving relationship after all these years. It's really enviable," a woman nearby remarked with a smile as she snapped some photos. "Mrs. Spencer must have saved the galaxy in her past life. Every woman dreams of having a husband like Mr. Spencer." Callista laughed bitterly as tears streamed down her face. "But she doesn't want him anymore." This so-called estate Luther gave her, symbolizing his devotion, was nothing more than a place where he slept with another woman. The woman then stared at Callista and became somewhat stunned. It wasn't surprising she'd mistaken Wren for Callista. After all, Wren bore an uncanny resemblance to Callista at 24, the year she first met Luther. "I guess men are all the same," the woman murmured. Her tone turned despondent. "At least Mr. Spencer is somewhat decent. He probably just wants a child too badly, even going so far as to find someone who looks just like you. "Why not let it go? Pretend you don't know. Life will go on as usual." "It wouldn't be the same," Callista said quietly. The fact that Luther sought out a woman who resembled her didn't make her feel grateful; it only made her feel disgusted. After leaving the rose garden, Callista went to the hospital and collected pre-procedure medication for an abortion. She placed the medicine on the coffee table and stared at it for a long time. She was still overwhelmed by a suffocating ache. Suddenly, the door burst open. Luther rushed in with his shirt buttoned unevenly. He tripped and nearly knocked over a chair in his haste. He scanned her from head to toe with a pale face. "Honey, why did you go to the hospital?" Chapter 4 Callista's medical card was linked to Luther's phone number, so the notification about her visit and prescription was sent to him. "Honey, say something! You're scaring me," Luther pleaded anxiously. Callista handed him the bag of medicine, and she lied, "The doctor suggested I try a new medication. It might improve the success rate of the next IVF attempt." "As long as you're okay, that's all that matters. You scared me to death." Luther didn't even glance at the bag and casually placed it on the coffee table. Callista let out a cold laugh. In the past, he would always meticulously read the instructions no matter what medication she was prescribed as he was worried about potential side effects. He used to say he couldn't bear the physical pain of IVF for her, but he needed to remind himself that she was suffering for his sake. Now, she had personally handed him the pre-procedure medication for an abortion, and he didn't even bother to look at it. The unfamiliar scent of perfume mixed with the aroma of roses in the air made Callista feel nauseous, and soon, her stomach began to cramp. She clutched her abdomen in discomfort. "Is it your period?" Luther leaned in, trying to warm her stomach with his hands. Callista swatted his hand away. "The smell on you is disgusting," she said bluntly. Luther sniffed himself and chuckled. "It's probably the scent of roses. I've been going to the rose garden several times a day, trying to make sure everything is perfect for our fifth anniversary. I'll go shower and change my clothes." But earlier, he'd said he was going to the office. Callista couldn't be bothered to expose his lie and simply replied, "Alright." After Luther left, Callista picked up her phone. For the past five years, her social circle revolved entirely around Luther, leaving her with no close friends of her own. If she were to leave him, there weren't many people she needed to inform, except for her younger brother, Kai Caldwell. Kai was also her only remaining family member. But as she stared at his number, she couldn't bring herself to call. Kai held Luther in high regard as his brother-in-law, and she worried it would complicate things. It was better to wait until she was ready to leave. That night, Luther lay beside her while gently massaging her stomach. "Honey, I've delegated all my work for the next two days. Your first couple of days on your period are always the worst, and I can't leave you alone." Callista gave a nonchalant response, not taking his words to heart. Then, a notification sound woke her up in the middle of the night. "Sorry, did I wake you? There's some work I need to take care of. I'll put my phone on silent. Go back to sleep, honey," Luther said softly. Callista kept her eyes closed, but she was no longer sleepy. Luther's left hand continued massaging her stomach, while his right hand was free to reply to messages. The warmth of his touch and the occasional low chuckles he couldn't suppress felt like a dull blade cutting into her, one stroke at a time. "Honey?" he whispered, testing the waters. As he hoped, Callista didn't respond. Luther withdrew his hand, quietly got out of bed, and tiptoed out of the room. Even as he moved silently, his eagerness was palpable. "How dare you send those kinds of pictures over? Just wait—I'll make sure you can't get out of bed tomorrow," he muttered before the door clicked shut. Moments later, Callista's phone buzzed several times. It was a message from Wren. "Are you getting old and unattractive, Cally? Luther's been so pent up that he couldn't get enough of me this afternoon. "He even said he wanted to try something new with me tonight. Can you believe it? He has no consideration for this poor pregnant woman. "Honestly, I feel bad for you. Luther did plenty of the work to make me pregnant. Meanwhile, you're stuck with sterile IVF procedures, and you still can't conceive." Even in the bedroom that was warmed by the heater, Callista felt frozen to the core. She got up, retrieved a hot water bottle, and climbed back into bed. For five years, she'd believed she had met Luther too late in life and that their time together would be too short. But now, with only five days left, she found the time to be unbearably long. Chapter 5 Callista went to bed late and woke up late as well. As she stepped out of the bedroom, Luther came through the door while holding a bag in his hands. "Honey, I bought your favorite honey garlic prawns," he announced while presenting the package as if it were a treasure. "I rushed back to keep them warm for you. Eat them while they're hot." In the past, whenever Luther upset her, he would buy honey garlic prawns to cheer her up. Callista never particularly liked them, but she always forgave him—not because of the prawns, but because she loved him. What was this gesture for today? Was it to ease his guilt after spending the whole night with another woman? "Honey, did you see the message I sent before I went out? When did you wake up?" For some reason, Luther felt a vague unease over Callista's recent demeanor. "No, I just woke up," Callista replied as she picked up her fork. She wouldn't let herself go hungry because of him. When he saw her calm expression that seemed to have no trace of anger, Luther finally relaxed. "I'll take care of some work first. When you're done eating, I'll join you for a walk." Callista continued eating while opening her phone. Wren had just posted a new update. "He spoils me so much. I casually mentioned wanting honey garlic prawns, and he immediately went out to get them for me." Attached to the post was a photo of a bag of the honey garlic prawns—the same ones Callista was eating out of. Meanwhile, Luther let out a soft laugh across the table. Seconds later, a new comment appeared under Wren's post. Luther replied, "It's good that you're self-aware." Not long after, Jane chimed in with her own comment. "Of course, he should spoil you. Just tell us whatever you want. You're a hero—not like someone else who takes up space but can't even conceive." Jane's comment was visible to Luther as well. Callista glanced up. She was curious to see his reaction. He didn't seem bothered at all. In fact, he was wearing a smile. His expression was filled with warmth and contentment. Callista chuckled to herself. She pulled up Jane's profile and blocked her on all platforms in one swift move. She had been wanting to do that for a long time. Before Callista could finish breakfast, Luther's phone rang. It was Jane. Her sharp voice practically burst through the speaker, and Luther frowned as he looked at Callista. "Mom said she wants to bring you some herbal medicine. Did you block her?" "There's no need. I'm not drinking it." Jane had a habit of sending her strange, bitter herbal remedies, none of which were helpful. Callista had forced herself to choke them down over the years, only to endure Jane's passive-aggressive remarks about wasting her kindness. "But you can't just—" Even if Jane couldn't send her messages anymore, the old ones were still there. Callista slid her phone across the table toward Luther. The most recent message from Jane read, "A woman who can't have children is worthless. You couldn't even keep the one you managed to conceive. "You're such a failure. I won't allow the Spencer family lineage to end with you." Callista had been pregnant once in their first year of marriage. But the baby's heartbeat suddenly stopped at seven months, and she was forced to undergo an induced labor. Jane had made countless remarks blaming her over the years. Callista, however, knew Luther had always tried to mediate and spoke up for her in front of his mother. Not wanting to make things harder for him, she had never brought it up. But this time, Luther frowned at Callista. "She's still my mom. You should try to understand her a little," he said. "And who's supposed to understand me?" Callista retorted with a cold laugh. "Luther, you know how devastated I was back then." "But have you ever considered that there might have been a reason for the miscarriage?" Luther sighed. "Maybe you ate something you shouldn't have, or perhaps you used the wrong cosmetics…" Tears spilled down Callista's face instantly. "Don't cry," Luther said. He realized that he had said the wrong thing. "I'm sorry. That's not what I meant." During her first pregnancy, Callista had been more careful than anyone else. She hadn't worn makeup even once, avoided eating out entirely, and refused to travel anywhere far. When she lost the baby, her entire world collapsed. Luther stayed by her side every moment, never leaving her alone, and took care of her 24/7. He had reassured her over and over. "Honey, it's not your fault. Even if we never have children, it doesn't matter. You're all I care about." Luther was there for an entire month. He had pulled her back out of the abyss. But now, she finally understood. He also believed it was her fault the baby didn't survive. Chapter 6 "I'm sorry. You can hit me or yell at me. Just don't cry," Luther pleaded as he pulled Callista into his arms. "I was spouting nonsense. I deserve whatever punishment you give me." Callista couldn't free herself from his embrace, and her tears continued to fall. But deep down, she knew the truth. Luther hadn't simply misspoken; he was trying to shift all the blame onto her, to justify his infidelity as something inevitable. Luther grew increasingly remorseful as he said, "I'll make everything clear to my mom. You can consider unblocking her once she learns to respect you, okay?" Tears streamed down Callista's face, but she smiled bitterly. Little did he know, there was no future for them anymore. For the next two days, Luther stayed home to keep her company. Even though Callista barely acknowledged him, he busied himself with cooking all her favorite dishes. Meanwhile, Wren's social media was filled with updates. Baby supplies Luther ordered for Wren had arrived. He had booked a top-tier postpartum care center for her. There were even specially prepared meals for expectant mothers, delivered personally by Luther. And he had left a "like" under every post. That evening, as Luther brought her water for a foot soak, his phone rang. "It's your brother," he said, putting it on speaker. "He said he just landed a big client and is celebrating. He wants us to join." Kai's voice came through the line. "Hey, Cally, it's been ages since I've seen you. Come with Luther, okay?" With only two days left before she planned to leave, Callista didn't know when she might see her brother again. Hence, she couldn't refuse him. "Okay." Kai had arranged a small barbecue gathering in the Caldwell residence's backyard. When Callista and Luther arrived, Kai greeted them warmly. "Cally, I know you don't like the smell of smoke, so I had them put all the cigarettes away. Pretty thoughtful of me, right?" Before Callista could reply, someone nearby exposed him. "Liar! It was Luther who reminded everyone to put the cigarettes away." "Luther truly treats Callista like a queen," another teased. "He has to! Otherwise, why would I accept him as my brother-in-law?" Kai laughed. Luther rolled up his sleeves and started grilling Callista's favorite meat. "My wife deserves everything good in life," he declared. "Honey, sit here. Don't let the smoke bother you. Tell me what you want to eat, and I'll grill it for you." Callista stayed silent as she was not in the mood to play along. Suddenly, Kai spoke up. "Luther, we're out of drinks. Come help me grab a few cases from the basement." Luther patted Callista's head gently. "Wait here, I'll be right back." As soon as they left, Callista's phone buzzed with a location pin from Wren. She was at the Caldwell residence too. Callista's heart clenched. Fearing Kai might act impulsively, she got up and followed them. But the tense confrontation she had imagined didn't happen. Instead, she saw the three of them standing together, chatting and laughing. Wren looped her finger around Luther's, and her tone was playful as she said, "Your son's been kicking me a lot. He must miss his dad." "Luther, I'll leave you two to it. I'll grab the drinks myself." Kai grinned mischievously, and he walked off to give them space. As soon as he walked away, Luther pulled Wren into his arms. "So, only my son misses me?" "You already know the answer to that," Wren teased. Luther chuckled, kissing her as they headed into a room—Callista's childhood bedroom. Callista's blood ran cold, and her legs nearly gave out beneath her. She thought back to when her parents passed away in an accident. She had only been 13, and she had begun juggling school and multiple jobs to support Kai. For her brother, she had taken on every dirty, exhausting task imaginable. Kai had cried so hard as he walked her down the aisle on her wedding day. He was barely able to speak through his sobs. "If Luther ever bullies you, come home, Cally. Your room will always be here for you." But now, the two people she loved most had joined forces to deliver the cruelest blow. When she came to her senses, she was already back in the yard. Kai had just returned with the drinks, and their eyes met. Callista forced a faint smile. "Where's Luther?" Chapter 7 "Luther went to warm some milk for you. He said you can't drink anything cold. Honestly, where else would you find a husband this good?" Kai said. "I'm not done moving the drinks yet. I'll go check on him," he added casually. Callista's eyes turned red as her nails dug into her palms. How many lies had he told her over the years to get to the point where he could lie so effortlessly? She couldn't bear to stay another moment. "I'm tired. I'm heading home," she said flatly. "Should I ask Luther to take you?" Kai asked. He was a bit uncertain. Callista stared at him for a long moment. "There's no need. I wouldn't want to ruin his fun." Kai seemed uneasy under her gaze. "Then, I'll call you a car." Before getting in, Callista turned back to look at the brother she had raised herself. Kai's eyes darted away. "What is it, Cally?" Callista turned and shut the car door without answering. When she got home, Luther's call came almost immediately. "Why didn't you let me take you home? It's so late. I got so worried about you being alone." At the same time, a message from Wren lit up her phone. "Was your first time on this bed too? He said you're too conservative. You always use the same moves. "It's no wonder he's been so pent up after two days with you. He nearly broke me apart tonight." Callista thought back to their wedding night. Luther had sensed her nerves immediately. Instead of staying in their bridal suite, he brought her back to the Caldwell residence, to her familiar childhood room. That first time, Luther was as restrained as he could be. He was careful with every movement as he put her comfort above all else. He had been gentle, and tender. When she cried, he cried with her. "Cally, I love you. I'll make sure you never regret marrying me," he had promised. But now, she regretted it completely. Luther called her name again on the phone, testing the silence. At that moment, Callista pressed her hand tightly over her mouth. She was unable to speak through her sobs. "Is the signal bad? Don't worry, Luther. I booked the car, and the app shows my sister got home safely," Kai's voice cut in. "Go back to Wren. I'll text my sister in a bit and let her know," he added casually. "Be careful not to let anything slip," Luther warned. Kai chuckled. "My sister would never suspect me. Besides, she can't have kids, so what's wrong with someone else having one?" "Kai!" Luther snapped. "Don't talk about your sister like that!" "Alright, alright. I won't say it again." The call ended, and Kai's promised message soon followed. "Luther rarely gets a chance to relax. He promised to have a few more drinks with me, so I'll have him stay the night at our place. Don't worry, Cally. I've got him covered." Then, she received a message from Luther. "Honey, if you're tired, go to bed early. "Kai got his first big client today. I'm celebrating with him for both of us. Don't wait up for me." Callista didn't reply to either message. In that moment, the storm of emotions in her chest suddenly settled into stillness, and Callista wiped her tears away. She wasn't going to wait anymore. People who weren't worth it didn't deserve her patience. That included Luther and Kai. She got up, went to her room, and left all the heartbreak behind for a peaceful night's sleep. … On the morning of their wedding anniversary, Luther prepared her a special breakfast with heart-shaped decorations. "Honey, tonight you'll finally see the fireworks I've been planning for you," he said with a warm smile. Callista smiled faintly but didn't say a word. "I'm heading to the office now. Tonight, we'll watch them together," he said as he stood up. Just as he was about to leave, Callista opened the drawer. She pulled out the divorce papers she had prepared and slid them across the table. "Sign them," she said calmly. Chapter 8 The divorce papers were already flipped to the last page. Luther took them and signed without hesitation. "Aren't you going to read the contents?" Callista asked. "Isn't it just about adjusting the IVF plan? Honey, whatever you think is best, I'll go along with it," he said. Callista watched him leave and couldn't help but let out a bitter, mocking laugh. He was still claiming to do everything for her, even now. She picked up the medicine that had been sitting on the coffee table for six days and swallowed it. Her throat tightened with emotion as she gently placed a hand on her stomach. "I'm sorry, my darling." She had given Luther so many chances, and he had failed to grasp even one. After packing her bags, Callista went to the hospital alone. "You're four weeks pregnant. The baby's heartbeat is strong, and development is normal. Are you sure you don't want to keep it?" the doctor, Eve Lowle, asked. "No," Callista replied after a long pause. "It's such a shame. You went through so much after losing the last baby due to the wrong herbal medicine. "You endured so much pain to conceive again—and now you're giving up. It will be even harder to have children in the future," Eve said with a sigh. Callista froze, and her head snapped up. Her voice was hoarse as she forced the words out. "The last miscarriage… was because of herbal medicine?" Eve frowned. "Yes, didn't Mr. Spencer ever tell you?" So, he had known all along. A buzzing sound filled Callista's ears. During her first pregnancy, Jane had sent herbal tonics every week, claiming they were for a healthy pregnancy. The bitter concoctions were so hard to swallow that Luther had coaxed her through each dose, one spoonful at a time. When the miscarriage happened, her body was so damaged that IVF became the only option. She had always thought the miscarriage was an unfortunate accident. For five years, through six rounds of IVF and five failed attempts, Luther had watched her torment herself with guilt and self-blame. He had told her it wasn't her fault. But not once had he told her the truth: that the fault wasn't hers. "Ms. Caldwell, are you alright?" Eve asked while handing her a tissue, and Callista realized her face was streaked with tears. "If you're feeling unwell, perhaps take some time to think it over—" "No need," Callista said firmly while wiping her tears away. "I'll proceed with it." Before the anesthesia took full effect, Callista mumbled to Eve in a daze, "Will the baby feel pain?" Eve was stunned by the question, and she remained silent. After that, Callista drifted into unconsciousness. When she woke, hours had passed. She got out of bed and walked toward the exit after regaining some strength. As she passed the obstetrics department, she froze. Luther was walking out of a consultation room with Wren not far away. "Can you feel it? The baby's saying hello to you. Thank you for protecting both of us," Wren said while placing Luther's hand on her belly. Her eyes were red with emotion. "Luther, I was so scared earlier when my stomach started hurting," she said softly. "Don't be silly," Luther said as he kissed her forehead. "I won't let anything happen to you or the baby." Wren leaned into his arms. Then, as her gaze met Callista's, she showed her a smug, triumphant smile. Raising her voice deliberately, Wren added, "So, will you stay with me tonight?" Luther hesitated for a moment before Wren continued, "You can watch fireworks with her any other night, but our baby is about to be born. What if I feel pain again tonight? Luther, I'm really scared." After a long silence, Luther sighed. "Alright." "I knew you cared about me the most," Wren said. Callista stood frozen. Her gaze was icy as she watched their backs disappear down the hall. The city had buzzed with anticipation for 22 whole days, waiting for the grand fireworks display Luther had planned for her that evening at 7:00 pm. Luther knew this, but he still chose to leave her alone. Callista took out her phone and sent Luther one final message. "The surprise I prepared for you is ready." Then, she booked a car and headed straight to the airport. Before boarding, she turned off her phone and handed it to a courier. She instructed them to send it to the Spencer residence's address. Blue fireworks lit up the sky at 7:00 pm sharp. They were brilliant and dazzling as they illuminated half the city. Cheers erupted across the crowd. Meanwhile, Callista was dragging her suitcase, and she boarded her flight without looking back.