Chapter 3

After hours of emergency surgery, Lucas was finally saved.

He spent three days in the ICU before being moved to a regular ward.

During that time, Xavier never called—not even once. I didn’t care.

All I could hear were the doctor’s words, echoing in my mind.

“The surgery was successful, but there are a lot of nerves in the legs. Healing won’t happen overnight.

“He’ll likely need long-term rehabilitation. As his parents, you’ll need to be prepared.”

Hope flared in me. “Will he be able to walk again?” I asked immediately.

The doctor hesitated, his expression heavy with uncertainty.

“It will be… very difficult. But if the recovery goes well, there’s a chance.”

His words crushed whatever little hope I had left.

But when I looked at Lucas lying in that hospital bed, pale and fragile, I refused to give up.

From the beginning, all I ever wanted was for him to grow up safe and happy. Even if he would never be like other children, he was still my most precious boy.

Just then, the hospital room door swung open.

Xavier walked in with Wendy right beside him.

The moment our eyes met, Wendy smiled smugly. Without a trace of guilt, she spoke as if nothing had happened.

“Summer, how’s Lucas doing?”

Xavier, as if sensing the tension, walked straight to me. His expression was full of regret as he looked at Lucas, lying pale and lifeless in bed.

His voice was heavy with guilt. “Summer, I’m sorry. I failed you both.

“I’ve already covered the medical expenses. Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you and Lucas.”

He turned to Wendy, and without missing a beat, she stepped forward and placed a fruit basket on the bedside table. Her eyes, filled with mockery, met mine.

“Thank you, Summer. And thank you, Lucas, for sacrificing so much for me. I’ll never forget your kindness.”

I let out a cold laugh. Stepping in front of Lucas, I blocked them from even looking at him.

My voice was ice. “Wendy, were you actually kidnapped? Or was this just another one of your little performances? You, of all people, know the truth.

“You didn’t come here to see Lucas. You just wanted to rub it in my face that Xavier chose you.”

Wendy’s face paled. She immediately shrank behind Xavier, her expression pitiful.

“Xavier, I didn’t—"

Xavier pulled her into his arms without hesitation, stroking her hair as if comforting a frightened child. Then, he turned to me, eyes burning with anger.

“Summer, I know you hate me, but Wendy is innocent. She’s been through so much, yet she still came to check on Lucas.

“You don’t have to be grateful, but at least don’t be so cruel.”

I laughed. A bitter, hollow sound.

He wanted me to believe Wendy was innocent?

Just days ago, she had come to me, looking down at me with disdain, her voice dripping with arrogance.

“Summer Carter, so what if you had his child? Do you really think that matters? One word from me, and your son won’t live to see another day.”

I had ignored her then, thinking she wasn’t worth my time.

But now, I realized the joke was on me.

I grabbed the fruit basket and threw it onto the floor. Then, without hesitation, I hurled the baby bottle in my hand at Wendy.

She let out a cry of pain and immediately hid behind Xavier.

“Xavier, I’m scared…”

Xavier quickly pulled her behind him, kicking the broken glass aside. His face darkened with fury.

“Summer Carter, are you insane?

“Wendy was scared enough as it is, yet she still came to see you first. And this is how you treat her?

“I get that you and Lucas have suffered, and I told you I’d make it up to you. So why are you acting so unreasonable?”

I looked at him, my heart devoid of emotion.

“Unreasonable? She came to ‘see me’ and brought mangoes.

“Xavier, have you forgotten? I’m allergic to mangoes.”

Xavier froze. For the first time, doubt flickered across his face.

Guilt flashed in his eyes, but he still forced himself to speak.

“Even so, that doesn’t mean you can throw things at Wendy. She’s innocent.

“I’ll let this go this time. But if you keep acting like this, we’re getting a divorce.”

I let out another cold laugh and cut him off before he could say more.

“Divorce? We never even registered our marriage, Xavier.”

“Xavier, consider this your official notice—we''re done. For good.”