This was the last scenario Patrick wanted to see, and the outcome he couldn’t accept.
He had transferred some money to Jane’s account, hoping to help her out of this difficulty.
Unfortunately, the money was returned by Jane’s company as soon as it was sent.
“This is useless. They don’t want anything from you. Moreover, their company said they won’t accept any projects from us,” Jane drew a clear line, asserting her independence.
Patrick slammed his fist on the table in anger. “Keep sending it back if she returns it.”
Watching the two argue like this, the secretary caught in the middle felt very uncomfortable.
Just then, there was another knock at the door. Patrick glanced at the person outside and said, “Come in!”
The person who entered was a stranger to Patrick but greeted him politely, “Do you have a moment, sir?”
Patrick recalled that he had never collaborated with anyone outside of his acquaintances. All his projects were handled directly with the company’s executives; there was no reason for a stranger to come.
The visitor took out several papers from his briefcase and placed them in front of Patrick. The papers bore the words “Divorce Agreement.”
Patrick was stunned to see the agreement. He stood up abruptly, pointing at the man and angrily asked, “Who sent you?”
The man handed his work ID from his bag to Patrick, revealing that he was a court employee.
“I was personally assigned by Jane to deliver the divorce agreement to you. Jane also sent several copies to your email, but you refused to accept them,” the man said calmly.
Feeling that something was not right, the secretary left the room.
Carefully, Patrick picked up the divorce agreement. The most important provision stated that all property would be divided equally between them, and their children would be under Jane’s custody.
“Jane sent you to deliver this?” Patrick couldn’t believe it and asked repeatedly.
“Yes.”
Patrick felt that the misunderstanding between them was just a minor conflict. It couldn’t possibly lead to divorce, especially since their feelings were still there; they wouldn’t come to this point.
“I’ve received the agreement. You may leave now,” Patrick dismissed the man. He tore the agreement in half and threw it into the trash bin.
Back at the hospital, Jane found the two children’s conditions stable. She then visited her own child and couldn’t help but laugh when she saw the butterfly birthmarks on their shoulders.
The two children were sleeping peacefully, looking adorable. They bore some resemblance to Patrick, especially the boy, who was a spitting image of him.
Maria appeared behind Jane without her noticing.
“Have you really made up your mind?” Maria asked quietly.
Jane nodded silently. “I’ve taken care of everything in the company, including the distribution of labor…,” Jane began, but Maria interrupted her.
“I’m not asking about that. Are you really sure about the divorce? Are you going to separate over such a trivial matter?” As their friend, Maria had witnessed their journey from the beginning, and she didn’t want to see them part ways now that they had two children together.
“The situation has reached this point. What else can I do? Choosing divorce may be the best relief for me. I’ve thought it through for a long time. I can’t stand deception the most,” Jane replied, having considered all the consequences. At worst, she would raise the four children on her own.
“You went through so much trouble to save these two children, just to ensure their lives continue, but Patrick did the same for you,” Maria couldn’t bear to see the two of them being so awkward.
Jane stared blankly at her. “For me? Is it okay to deceive me for my sake?”
“No, that’s not it. It was my idea, and I entrusted these two children to Patrick. I asked Patrick to bring these two children to you,” Maria couldn’t stand it anymore and decided to tell the truth.
Jane looked puzzled. “Why would you do that?”
From beginning to end, she always believed her friends should stand by her, not deceive her for someone else’s sake. She never expected Maria and Patrick to collude in deceiving her.
“When you gave birth prematurely to these two children, you were so sad that even Patrick and I couldn’t bear to see you like that. So I came up with this idea. Initially, Patrick disagreed, and if it weren’t for my persistence, none of this would have happened,” Maria stood before Jane like a guilty child, awaiting her judgment.
“My two most trusted people, my closest ones, resorting to this kind of deception to fool me!” Jane couldn’t understand. Even if it was a well-intentioned lie, there should have been limits.
Maria pulled her out of the ward. “At that time, the condition of the two children was critical, and you were always drowsy and not in good health. We didn’t want to see you like that.”
Faced with this explanation, Jane was having trouble convincing herself.
“So you lied to me? Made me treat someone else’s children as my own, showered them with all my love, while my own children were fighting for their life, and I wasn’t even allowed to know?” Jane didn’t blame them for using this method to deceive her; she just felt they should have been honest.
Maria sat silently in her chair. She knew all the explanations seemed feeble to Jane.
“If you need to blame or punish someone, blame me. Don’t pour all your resentment on Patrick; he’s truly innocent,” Maria earnestly looked at her.
Jane buried her head deep, tears streaming down uncontrollably, as if she couldn’t contain them, flowing down her cheeks.
Seeing her like this, Maria couldn’t bear it and hugged her tightly, apologizing repeatedly. “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have acted on my own, let alone treat you this way.”
At that moment, the apprentice walked over, seeing Jane’s condition and feeling distressed. He hurriedly asked, “Master, what’s wrong? The children are doing fine.”
He thought she was upset because of the children.
Jane wiped her tears and shook her head. “It’s nothing, I just got a little emotional for a moment.”