Chapter 4 This is Your Compensation

Sloane's POV

My stomach twisted, and my fingertips curled instinctively as I clutched my bag tighter.

Pregnant? We were getting divorced, he was about to reunite with his Keira—did it even matter to him whether I was pregnant or not?

I looked up and met Jared's searching gaze.

"Are you concerned about me?" I asked softly, with a hint of sarcasm I didn't even notice myself.

Jared's frown deepened. "Sloane, this isn't the time to throw a tantrum."

He stepped forward, reaching to grab my bag. "Let me see the medication."

I immediately stepped back, holding the bag tight against my chest. "This is my privacy."

"We're not divorced yet. Your business is my business." His forceful tone made me freeze.

Not divorced yet? What difference did it make? Would I not get divorced if I were pregnant?

Just as we were at a standstill, a figure rushed over and pushed Jared away forcefully.

"What are you doing! Grabbing someone's things and acting so righteous about it?" Lila had returned, protecting me like a mother hen shielding her chick, glaring at Jared.

She glanced at the medication in my hand, immediately understanding the situation, then held it up in front of Jared and said irritably, "Look clearly—folic acid! Sloane has had poor digestive function for a long time, poor nutrient absorption. Her blood test showed folic acid deficiency anemia, so the doctor prescribed folic acid tablets."

Jared stared at the medication bag, then looked at me. The suspicion in his eyes hadn't completely faded, but his attitude had clearly softened. "Anemia?"

"What else did you think it was?" Lila rolled her eyes. "Mr. Montclair, you've been married to your wife for three years—don't you even know about her health? Oh, I forgot, you only have eyes for your Keira. How could you have time to care about Sloane?"

Lila's words were like needles, each one hitting its mark.

Jared's expression instantly darkened. He was silent for a moment before saying, "I'm sorry. I was too anxious."

I shook my head, not wanting to get entangled with him anymore. "Grandma still needs someone to look after her. You should go back."

With that, I pulled Lila and prepared to leave.

"I'll drive you home." Jared's voice came from behind.

I paused but didn't turn around. "No need. I can manage on my own."

"Get in the car." He had already walked quickly to my side and opened the door of a car parked by the roadside.

Lila was about to say something, but I gently squeezed her hand, signaling her to relax.

"Drive safely." Lila gave me a reminder and watched as I got into Jared's car.

I knew she was worried about me.

The atmosphere inside the car was somewhat heavy.

Jared reached back and grabbed several beautifully wrapped gift boxes from the back seat.

"These are supplements I bought for you." He placed the boxes on my lap. "You're too thin. You need to eat properly from now on."

I looked down. Inside the boxes were several bottles of medical-grade supplements, with understated labels that clearly indicated they were expensive.

For a moment, something stirred gently in my heart.

In these three years, he had never shown such concern for me.

But this sudden bit of warmth was like brief winter sunshine—fleeting, unable to melt the glacier that had long been frozen.

"Thank you." I moved the boxes aside, my tone distant.

Jared glanced at me. His lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing and started the car.

The car drove smoothly all the way to the villa entrance.

I was about to unbuckle my seatbelt when Jared suddenly leaned toward me.

His crisp cedar scent instantly surrounded me, his warm breath brushing across my cheek.

I instinctively held my breath, my body stiffening.

There was a click—the seatbelt was unbuckled.

His fingertips inadvertently brushed across my collarbone, sending a subtle shiver through me.

"This is for you." He straightened up and handed me a velvet box. The logo showed it was a limited edition from some luxury brand.

"What is this?"

"Compensation." Jared pressed the box into my hands. "I know this can't make up for anything, but it's a small gesture from me."

Compensation again.

It seemed that besides money and material things, he had nothing else to give me.

I was about to refuse, but he had already pushed open the car door and gotten out. He walked around to the other side, opened my door, and stuffed the box and pile of supplements into my arms.

"Go inside. It's cold out here." After saying this, he looked at me deeply, then turned and got back in the car, quickly driving away.

I stood at the entrance holding the pile of things, my feelings complicated.

I pushed open the door, and the living room light spilled out.

Isabelle and Keira were sitting on the sofa chatting. Hearing the noise, they both looked toward me.

"Sloane, you're back." Keira came over with a smile. Her gaze fell on the boxes in my arms, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that the Starry Sky Limited Edition from C? I mentioned it to Jared before. I didn't expect him to buy it."

As she spoke, she naturally took the box from my arms, opened it to look, then pouted with some disappointment. "Oh, it's this color. No wonder—I told him I don't like blue, so I asked him to return it. I didn't expect him to turn around and give it to you."

Keira's tone was innocent and carefree, as if she were just stating the most ordinary little matter.

But her words were like a sharp knife, instantly piercing through the bit of illusory warmth that had just risen in my heart, snapping me back to cold reality.

So even this belated compensation was something she had rejected.

The last ripple in my heart settled into stillness.

"Since you didn't want it, I'll give it back to you." I took the bag back from her hands and turned to go upstairs.

"Stop right there!" Isabelle called out coldly. She walked up to me, her eyes sharp as knives. "Sloane, I'm warning you—since you've already agreed to the divorce, don't play any tricks. Keira may be naive, but I'm not blind. Don't think you can occupy the position of Mrs. Montclair while secretly seducing Jared on the side, trying to have it both ways."

I looked at her, finding it both absurd and laughable. "Is this how low you think of me?"

"You know what kind of person you are." Isabelle's tone was full of disdain. "Don't forget, if it weren't for the Winslow family, you'd still be raising cattle in the countryside. People should know gratitude."

I gave a cold laugh, wanting nothing more than to confront her on the spot.

Yes, I should be grateful.

Grateful that they brought me back from the countryside only to have me take their precious daughter's place in an arranged marriage.

Grateful that after I sacrificed three years for the family, they mercilessly told me to "step down."

I took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in my heart, and looked at her calmly. "Don't worry. I've never wanted things that don't belong to me."