Chapter 4 The villa stayed brightly lit all night . Private doctors , nurses , and staff were coming and going , all focused on Leah . Lying in bed , Marissa listened to the commotion outside . She remembered how , three years ago , she had accidentally cut her finger while slicing fruit - Matt had panicked like she was gravely ill , called the private doctor in the middle of the night , and insisted on bandaging her himself . " It's just a small cut , " she had said back then , half laughing , half helpless . But Matt had taken her hand , gently kissed the wound , and said , " To me , even a single strand of your hair is precious . " Now , that same tenderness was reserved for another woman . Marissa turned over and buried her face in the pillow . The fabric grew damp with tears , but she bit her lip , refusing to let herself make a sound . Only when dawn broke did she quietly tell herself that once the tears were gone , it was time to let go . The next morning , when Marissa came downstairs , she saw Matt at the dining table , gently coaxing Leah to eat . " I really can't eat this … " Leah whined sweetly . " Just one more bite , okay ? " Matt said , his voice filled with the same tenderness Marissa once knew . " It's good for the baby . " Marissa passed by them with a blank expression . Matt looked up and 0.00 % 22.52 Chapter 4 suddenly noticed the scab on her forehead . He quickly stood up . " Marissa , what happened to your forehead ? " She curled her lips in a sarcastic smile . " Didn't you push me yourself ? " Matt froze , then remembered what happened yesterday . Guilt flickered across his face . " Sorry , I was too anxious yesterday … Let me take you to put some medicine on it . " Marissa was about to refuse when Leah suddenly spoke up , " Mr. Holloway , I don't have much appetite for this breakfast . I heard Ms. Spencer makes great oatmeal . Could she make some for me to try ? " Matt clearly froze , his Adam's apple bobbing nervously . " Marissa … " he finally said , " Could you please ? " Marissa felt her heart being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand . Oatmeal - that word felt like a dull knife , cutting deep into her memories . When Matt first took over the company , he got a stomach illness from too many business dinners . She felt so worried that she went straight to a nutritionist . The first time she made it , it stuck to the bottom and was bitterly salty , but he ate every last bite and held her , saying , " From now on , only make this for me , okay ? " Over time , she got better at making it and only made it for him . But now , he wanted her to make it for another woman . Marissa suddenly laughed , a bitter , sarcastic curve to her lips . She realized that no matter how sincere a promise sounds , time eventually wears it down . 24,814 22 52 M Chapter 4 1 Without a word , she walked into the kitchen and skillfully cooked it . The hot steam stung her eyes , but not a single tear fell . The oatmeal was ready quickly , filling the air with its aroma . Marissa served a bowl and placed it in front of Leah , then turned to leave . " Marissa … " Matt called out instinctively , his voice tinged with guilt . But Leah immediately grabbed Matt's sleeve . " Mr. Holloway , this oatmeal is too hot … " Matt's attention shifted instantly as he bent down to help Leah cool the oatmeal . " Forget it , " he told himself . They'd remarry in a month , and he'd make it up to her then . Late at night , just as Marissa had fallen asleep , the door was suddenly kicked open . She opened her eyes to see Matt's bodyguards standing in the doorway . " Sorry , Mrs. Holloway . Mr. Holloway wants us to take you to the hospital . " Before she could react , they grabbed her arms and pulled her out of bed . The hospital corridor was glaringly white . Matt stood outside the operating room , his face dark and grim . When he saw her , his eyes were filled with complicated emotions . " Why did you poison the oatmeal ? " Marissa was confused . " What ? " " I've told you many times - I don't like Leah , " Matt said , his voice barely containing his anger . " Once the baby is born , we can go back to how 51,85 % 22 52 Chapter 4 things were . Why can't you just hang on a little longer ? " 1 Marissa finally understood - Leah had been poisoned , and Matt suspected her . " It wasn't me , " she said , her voice trembling . " Why do you accuse me the moment something happens to her ? " " She only ate your oatmeal today ! " Matt snapped , raising his voice . " How can I trust you ? " A sharp pain gripped Marissa's chest as she opened her mouth to speak . Just then , the elevator doors opened , and his parents rushed in . Smack ! A sharp slap landed hard on Marissa's cheek . She stumbled backward , blood trickling from the corner of her mouth . " You wicked woman ! " Ava Holloway , Matt's mother , cursed , " Not only can't you give us a grandchild , now you're trying to kill my grandson ! " Cayden Holloway , Matt's father , was furious too . " Using such a cruel method calls for punishment by family rules ! Make her stay on her knees at the family hall ! " Matt frowned , about to speak . " If you don't punish her now , next time she'll dare to strangle your child ! " Ava cut him off . Matt stayed silent . He lit a cigarette , leaned against the wall , and watched coldly as his wife was dragged away . 76.72 % 22:52 Chapter 4 At that moment , Marissa felt a pain that tore through her heart .