Chapter 3
Wren's POV
A baby's cry echoed from the hospital room – not my child, who was still in the NICU incubator.
It was Stella's baby crying next door.
And Alice, the expensive newborn specialist I had hired, was gently soothing that child in her arms.
"Alice?" I called out to her.
Seeing me, her face immediately flushed with embarrassment: "Mrs. Walker, I... I really couldn't refuse... Mr. Walker said Ms. Stella needed professional care more urgently..."
I nodded, my expression so calm it surprised even me.
Of course. Even the nurse I hired, he could commandeer for his first love without a second thought.
"I understand." I turned and headed toward the NICU.
Through the glass window, I watched the tiny bundle in the incubator. Premature, underweight, requiring close monitoring. And the professional nurse who should be caring for him was instead tending to another woman's child.
I pulled out a document I'd prepared long ago from my bag. It was time to have a serious talk with Ryan.
On my way to find Ryan, as I passed around a corner in the hallway, I heard a familiar voice.
Ryan was on the phone with a colleague, his tone relaxed and casual:
"You asking if I regret saving Stella first? Let me tell you – not one bit."
I stopped in my tracks.
"She's just some clingy pest who chased me for a year before I gave in. Now with a kid, she's even more stuck to me." His voice dripped with contempt. "Stella's different. She's my goddess. If it weren't for back then..."
"Honestly, I'd be thrilled if something happened to her."
My chest tightened.
So this was Captain Ryan Walker's true feelings.
A few minutes later, I approached Stella's room. Ryan had just hung up and looked surprised to see me.
"We need to talk about Alice," I said directly.
"What's there to discuss?" Ryan replied impatiently. "Your kid's still in the incubator, doesn't need a nurse yet. Stella's baby needs professional care more."
"She's MY employee," I shot back with rare defiance.
Ryan's face darkened: "Wren, don't be unreasonable! Stella just gave birth, she's weak and needs more care than you do!"
Just then, Stella's frail voice drifted from the room: "Ryan... I feel so dizzy..."
Ryan instantly panicked and turned to rush inside.
I quickly stopped him: "Wait, this is medical insurance paperwork for the baby that needs your signature."
"Yeah, yeah, got it." Ryan was frantic with worry, scribbling his signature without looking up, then rushing to Stella's side.
I looked down at the divorce papers in my hands, bearing his neat signature.
Three years of marriage, ended by his own hand.
Through the hospital room window, I watched Ryan peeling an orange for Stella.
His movements were so gentle and focused, carefully removing every bit of white pith before tenderly feeding her pieces.
I suddenly remembered that night six months ago. Suffering from severe morning sickness, I had craved oranges too – the sweet and sour taste could ease the nausea.
"Ryan, I want some orange," I had tugged at his sleeve playfully.
"Too much trouble." He hadn't even looked up from his phone. "Just drink some orange juice."
Now watching him carefully peel oranges for Stella, I couldn't help but laugh.
So he WAS capable of being gentle – he just never wanted to show it to me.
Actually, I'd discovered the truth two months ago. That day he'd forgotten his phone before showering, and messages kept pinging. Curious, I glanced over—
"Stella: It's thundering, I'm so scared alone at home."
"Ryan: Want me to come over and keep you company?"
"Stella: That wouldn't be right, what if Wren finds out..."
"Ryan: She won't know, and even if she did, so what? She can't leave me."
When I saw those messages, I started preparing divorce papers.
I had originally hoped this trip might give us one last chance, but the accident made me see his true nature completely.
Now it was finally over.
As I turned to leave, I heard Stella's coquettish voice: "Ryan, you're so good to me..."
"Silly girl, you deserve better," Ryan's voice was tender.
A smile of relief crossed my lips.
Ryan Walker, thank you for personally ending this ridiculous marriage.
From today on, we're nothing to each other.
