Certainly. Here is a natural, logical, and idiomatic English retelling of your passage, with no plot added or removed, and with proper punctuation throughout. Gillian and York had been secretly married for five years. Throughout that time, their relationship followed a fixed pattern: intimate by night, yet distant and detached by day. Gillian had always attributed this to York’s naturally cold and unfeeling disposition, convincing herself that even a heart of stone would eventually warm up to her if she gave it enough time. Her illusion did not shatter until the day she saw York spend a fortune on a girl’s birthday celebration, and then publicly announce his relationship with that very same girl. It was at that moment that Gillian finally understood just how absurd her five-year marriage had truly been. After all those years, all she had to show for it was a marriage certificate—nothing more. When York explained himself, he said, "She's pregnant. I have to give her a proper title." Those words made Gillian realize, with painful clarity, that York was not inherently aloof or emotionless; he simply had never loved her. So, letting go of her last shred of despair, she handed him the divorce agreement. York responded with a cold sneer: "Don't regret it." But his arrogance did not last. Not until he witnessed Gillian being proposed to by another man—and in a very public, flamboyant manner—did the once‑confident York finally lose his composure. Panicked and desperate, he turned to her and pleaded, "Darling, you love me the most, don't you?"

Chapter 1Gillian Jordan had just gotten her pregnancy test results when she saw the news of York Foster proposing to his new flame.The screen was incredibly lively, the atmosphere ignited by a sky full of fireworks as the crowd pushed the couple together.The man wrapped his arm protectively around the girl, who gently cradled her lower stomach."Today is my birthday. Is there anything you want to say to me?" the girl coaxed playfully."Seeing you makes everyone else feel like a compromise.""Then I have a secret to tell you too..."The crowd erupted into cheers.The girl smiled with pure satisfaction, while her husband stared at her, his eyes overflowing with adoration.She was messing around, and he was laughing.In their five years of marriage, Gillian had never seen this gentle side of him; the scene she had always dreamed of was now playing out right in front of her eyes.Suddenly, she felt freezing cold, shivering so hard her teeth chattered.The elaborate dinner she had spent half the day preparing now felt like an absolute joke.Guessing that the man wouldn't be coming home, she packed up the cold food, deciding to feed it to a stray dog the next day.Around three in the morning, the man who should have been sharing a sweet night with his young girlfriend returned.Gillian recognized his footsteps in the pitch-black room; without turning on the lights, she felt the mattress dip slightly.The man hugged her from behind, bringing with him the sharp scent of alcohol. "I missed you..."The rain hammered noisily outside, making his voice sound hazy and hoarse; she couldn't quite catch the last word he muttered.He peppered kisses along her earlobe and neck, his hot breath sending a suffocating wave of tingling heat through her—he was deeply affectionate, incredibly gentle.Over the past five years, the only harmony they shared was in bed, so she knew exactly what he wanted right now.But the thought that his arms had just been wrapped around another woman made her grit her teeth, and she tried to push York away.He gripped her waist tightly, his eyes and body radiating desire. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, his drunken voice rasped, "Wife, you care about me, don't you?"Boom—a flash of lightning tore through the sky outside, illuminating Gillian's deathly pale face for a split second.He never called her that.He had mistaken her for someone else, treating her like his newly revealed young girlfriend, Hailey Sinclair.Gillian reached out and flicked on the bedroom switch, flooding the room with light."Look closely. I'm not Hailey. If you want to act crazy, go find her."The man blinked open his hazy eyes to look at her. The woman before him had a pale face and a cold expression, completely lacking Hailey's youthful vitality and innocent obedience.In a flash, Gillian caught the awkward realization in his eyes.Half-sober now, York sat up slightly and rubbed his temples. "Right. You're not her.""She's completely pure. Where do you get the confidence to compare yourself to her?"A suffocating wave of despair pierced Gillian's heart, and she took a deep breath."If that's the case, why did you come looking for me?"A normal man would hide his mistress, but today he had ostentatiously announced her to the world, practically stomping Gillian's pride into the mud.Their marriage was a secret, but she wasn't dead.Looking at her pale face, York let out a light scoff. "She's pregnant. I need to give her a proper title."His indifferent words, spoken once his rationality returned, hit Gillian so hard she turned ashen.With one sentence, he explained everything perfectly.She was pregnant and couldn't have sex, so he came to her for a release.She was pregnant and needed a title, so he wanted Gillian to step aside voluntarily.Gillian stared at his face, so pushed to the edge of fury that she actually felt numb. "And what if I were pregnant too?"Hearing this, York's gaze turned predatory and dark, as if he had just heard something incredibly disgusting. "Then get rid of it. It wouldn't be the first time."Those words poured over Gillian like ice water, freezing the blood in her veins.She clutched the bedsheets tightly, her knuckles turning white, her breaths catching as her heart throbbed with agony.Married for five years, she had loved York for eight whole years. But in his eyes, their marriage had always been a calculated transaction.The Jordan family had fallen from grace, her father was falsely accused, her mother fell severely ill from the shock, and her brother went missing after a car crash.To York, she was just a woman who crawled into his bed for his money to save her father's hospital.Seeing her stay silent, a storm brewed in York's eyes."You know the drill. You'll have to give up the title of Mrs. Foster sooner or later.""Anyone can give birth to my child, except you."Long after the man slammed the door and left, Gillian sat frozen on the bed, replaying those words as if she couldn't comprehend them.But no matter how much she thought about it, her mind kept returning to a young girl's panicked crying on the phone.Her ringtone suddenly blared, and Gillian flexed her stiff fingers to answer the call."Dr. Jordan, a young pregnant woman took a fall and her situation is complicated. Can we ask you to come to the hospital?"Gillian collected her emotions, quickly freshened up, and arrived at the hospital in no time.The moment she stepped through the doors of the obstetrics department, her barely pieced-together composure shattered all over again.She saw York carrying Hailey in his arms, rushing toward the examination room. The man's face was etched with panic and concern as he comforted her along the way. "Don't be afraid, Hailey. I'm right here."His voice was incredibly gentle—an emotion she had never witnessed, a kind word she had never once heard from York's lips.The scene was blindingly painful, like a knife twisting in her heart. Knowing he loved Hailey was one thing, but seeing it with her own eyes was entirely different.Her arms hung by her sides, fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms, yet she didn't feel a sliver of physical pain.Gillian wanted to take a step forward, but her limbs felt as heavy as lead."Dr. Jordan, you're here! Why are you just standing there?" A colleague spotted Gillian and hurried over, quickly briefing her on the situation. "The pregnant patient took a fall and reported some bleeding, so the pregnancy is unstable. The main issue is she has congenital heart disease and is allergic to several medications, which limits our options. It's a very complicated case."As she explained, the colleague pulled Gillian toward the examination room. "Her husband looks incredibly anxious and his expression is terrifying. He specifically demanded the best doctor in our hospital. I was terrified he'd threaten to bury us all if we couldn't save the baby."Gillian's complexion was poor. Hearing those words, a dense swarm of bitter and ironic emotions crept into her heart. Husband? Whose husband was he, exactly?Perhaps the unloved one was the true mistress.She pushed open the door to the examination room and saw York's gaze fixated on Hailey's face, his eyes swirling with an indescribable tenderness and heartache."I understand the general situation." Wearing her white coat, Gillian ignored York and walked straight toward Hailey.When York saw Gillian enter, his expression remained perfectly calm. He didn't even bat an eyelid, showing not a hint of embarrassment at being caught red-handed.Gillian thought to herself that let alone Hailey, even she was starting to doubt if she was actually his wife.She began her consultation. "Does your stomach hurt a lot?"Hailey lay on the bed, looking soft, fragile, and absolutely pitiful."A little bit, but not terribly.""Did you eat anything you shouldn't have?""I don't think so..." Hailey bit her lip. "I don't really remember what I had today."The silent man beside them finally spoke up. "She had a bowl of oatmeal, some organic chicken soup, and grilled salmon with a side of veggies for lunch. Tonight, she had chicken broth, BBQ ribs, and ate mangoes for dessert."Gillian's body stiffened slightly, and she shot York a look of utter disbelief.He didn't even remember when her birthday was, yet he had publicly flaunted Hailey on hers.And now, he knew every single detail of Hailey's daily routine, proving how attentive and caring he was in their everyday life.Gillian clenched her fists tightly. Everything unfolding before her was like a needle piercing her heart. The difference between being loved and unloved was just so glaringly obvious.York looked at Gillian. "Doctor, is there an issue with the food she ate?"He was having his wife check on his girlfriend's pregnancy, acting completely nonchalant as if he didn't even know her.Staring at his cold, unfamiliar gaze, his attitude and the oppressive atmosphere made it hard for her to breathe. Her hands and feet turned icy, and every breath felt like a physical ache in her chest.Gillian averted her gaze and took a deep breath. "No."She radiated a cold, aloof aura. Her slender frame stood perfectly straight, and she tightened her grip slightly, taking a long moment before finally speaking. "Family members need to step out. I need to run some examinations on the patient.""What kind of examination can't I watch?" York shot her an indifferent look, his words slicing into her like a sharp blade.Gillian tightened her grip and looked away. "I'm sorry, but please step out. It's hospital policy.""Policy?" The man's voice dropped to a cold register. Others might not have caught it, but she detected a faint, undeniable warning. "Hailey is pregnant and currently injured. I can't be at ease if I'm not by her side."How could Gillian not understand York's underlying meaning?He was worried she might have malicious intentions and harm Hailey or the baby out of jealousy. He was thoroughly insulting her professional ethics as a doctor."York, I'll be fine. Don't make things difficult for the doctor..." Hailey pitifully tugged at York's sleeve, her heart inevitably swelling with sweetness. Being cared for so deeply by the man she liked, how could she not be happy?The man's demeanor softened instantly. "I'm just worried about you and the baby."Since it concerned the baby, it was a major issue, so York didn't argue further. He patted Hailey's hand and comforted her gently. "I'll step out first and come check on you in a bit."Gillian lowered her eyes, masking the emotions in her gaze, refusing to watch their intimate display.The examination went quickly. The baby in Hailey's stomach was stable, and there was no bleeding. She just needed to go home, rest up, and come back for regular checkups.Upon hearing this, York disagreed. His face turned serious as he looked at Gillian with a commanding tone. "We can't be careless about this. Arrange for her to be admitted."Hailey couldn't hide her bashfulness. "The doctor said I'm fine and can go home to rest. Isn't this a bit of an overreaction?"The man frowned, displaying meticulous care for Hailey. "When it comes to the safety of you and the baby, there are no minor issues. I can listen to you about anything else, but for this, be good and listen to me, okay?"Gillian didn't bother exposing him, nor did she have the energy to do so. He certainly did a great job protecting his little girlfriend's innocence.Her heart ached, and she had no desire to watch them act so in love. The more she watched, the more she felt that the past few years of her marriage were nothing but an illusion. She felt more and more like a clown, an absolute joke.Years of her pouring her heart out couldn't compare to Hailey, whom he had only known for a few months.Gillian let out a quiet breath and called over a nurse. "Claire, go arrange a hospital bed for Ms. Sinclair."Claire responded enthusiastically. "Right away, Dr. Jordan."As soon as Gillian left, Hailey started chattering away like someone had opened a floodgate."York, did you know? That Director Jordan from just now is incredible. She's a doctoral advisor at Metropolis Medical College. I heard she has a double degree, got direct admission to her PhD, and was always a top scholar. Back then, she was known as a genius doctor on par with Miles Stanton. Everyone said they were a match made in heaven. She's simply amazing, the ultimate role model for medical students."Hailey looked full of admiration, completely oblivious to the shift in the man's expression."York, why aren't you saying anything?"He chuckled. "She's just average. In my eyes, you're the most amazing. I'll go handle your admission papers."Hailey's cheeks flushed. "What are you talking about? She has a medical double degree, how could I ever compare..."-Gillian didn't go home last night; she slept at the hospital.Around six the next morning, shortly after she woke up, a knock sounded at the door.When she opened it, Hailey was looking at her with a bright smile. "I hope I didn't disturb you! I came specifically to thank you for working overtime in the middle of the night to help me. I brought you some breakfast to show my appreciation."The young girl's features were innocent and delicate, her words brimming with a youthful energy—a purity that Gillian simply didn't possess.It was exactly this innocent charm that captivated men, so it was no wonder York liked her.Gillian didn't have the habit of accepting food from patients.Before she could even refuse, the young girl started chattering again. "You absolutely cannot say no! My boyfriend made this with his own hands bright and early. It'd be a waste not to eat it."Hearing the word 'boyfriend,' Gillian froze.Chapter 2Gillian Jordan had just gotten her pregnancy test results when she saw the news of York Foster proposing to his new flame.The screen was incredibly lively, the atmosphere ignited by a sky full of fireworks as the crowd pushed the couple together.The man wrapped his arm protectively around the girl, who gently cradled her lower stomach."Today is my birthday. Is there anything you want to say to me?" the girl coaxed playfully."Seeing you makes everyone else feel like a compromise.""Then I have a secret to tell you too..."The crowd erupted into cheers.The girl smiled with pure satisfaction, while her husband stared at her, his eyes overflowing with adoration.She was messing around, and he was laughing.In their five years of marriage, Gillian had never seen this gentle side of him; the scene she had always dreamed of was now playing out right in front of her eyes.Suddenly, she felt freezing cold, shivering so hard her teeth chattered.The elaborate dinner she had spent half the day preparing now felt like an absolute joke.Guessing that the man wouldn't be coming home, she packed up the cold food, deciding to feed it to a stray dog the next day.Around three in the morning, the man who should have been sharing a sweet night with his young girlfriend returned.Gillian recognized his footsteps in the pitch-black room; without turning on the lights, she felt the mattress dip slightly.The man hugged her from behind, bringing with him the sharp scent of alcohol. "I missed you..."The rain hammered noisily outside, making his voice sound hazy and hoarse; she couldn't quite catch the last word he muttered.He peppered kisses along her earlobe and neck, his hot breath sending a suffocating wave of tingling heat through her—he was deeply affectionate, incredibly gentle.Over the past five years, the only harmony they shared was in bed, so she knew exactly what he wanted right now.But the thought that his arms had just been wrapped around another woman made her grit her teeth, and she tried to push York away.He gripped her waist tightly, his eyes and body radiating desire. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, his drunken voice rasped, "Wife, you care about me, don't you?"Boom—a flash of lightning tore through the sky outside, illuminating Gillian's deathly pale face for a split second.He never called her that.He had mistaken her for someone else, treating her like his newly revealed young girlfriend, Hailey Sinclair.Gillian reached out and flicked on the bedroom switch, flooding the room with light."Look closely. I'm not Hailey. If you want to act crazy, go find her."The man blinked open his hazy eyes to look at her. The woman before him had a pale face and a cold expression, completely lacking Hailey's youthful vitality and innocent obedience.In a flash, Gillian caught the awkward realization in his eyes.Half-sober now, York sat up slightly and rubbed his temples. "Right. You're not her.""She's completely pure. Where do you get the confidence to compare yourself to her?"A suffocating wave of despair pierced Gillian's heart, and she took a deep breath."If that's the case, why did you come looking for me?"A normal man would hide his mistress, but today he had ostentatiously announced her to the world, practically stomping Gillian's pride into the mud.Their marriage was a secret, but she wasn't dead.Looking at her pale face, York let out a light scoff. "She's pregnant. I need to give her a proper title."His indifferent words, spoken once his rationality returned, hit Gillian so hard she turned ashen.With one sentence, he explained everything perfectly.She was pregnant and couldn't have sex, so he came to her for a release.She was pregnant and needed a title, so he wanted Gillian to step aside voluntarily.Gillian stared at his face, so pushed to the edge of fury that she actually felt numb. "And what if I were pregnant too?"Hearing this, York's gaze turned predatory and dark, as if he had just heard something incredibly disgusting. "Then get rid of it. It wouldn't be the first time."Those words poured over Gillian like ice water, freezing the blood in her veins.She clutched the bedsheets tightly, her knuckles turning white, her breaths catching as her heart throbbed with agony.Married for five years, she had loved York for eight whole years. But in his eyes, their marriage had always been a calculated transaction.The Jordan family had fallen from grace, her father was falsely accused, her mother fell severely ill from the shock, and her brother went missing after a car crash.To York, she was just a woman who crawled into his bed for his money to save her father's hospital.Seeing her stay silent, a storm brewed in York's eyes."You know the drill. You'll have to give up the title of Mrs. Foster sooner or later.""Anyone can give birth to my child, except you."Long after the man slammed the door and left, Gillian sat frozen on the bed, replaying those words as if she couldn't comprehend them.But no matter how much she thought about it, her mind kept returning to a young girl's panicked crying on the phone.Her ringtone suddenly blared, and Gillian flexed her stiff fingers to answer the call."Dr. Jordan, a young pregnant woman took a fall and her situation is complicated. Can we ask you to come to the hospital?"Gillian collected her emotions, quickly freshened up, and arrived at the hospital in no time.The moment she stepped through the doors of the obstetrics department, her barely pieced-together composure shattered all over again.She saw York carrying Hailey in his arms, rushing toward the examination room. The man's face was etched with panic and concern as he comforted her along the way. "Don't be afraid, Hailey. I'm right here."His voice was incredibly gentle—an emotion she had never witnessed, a kind word she had never once heard from York's lips.The scene was blindingly painful, like a knife twisting in her heart. Knowing he loved Hailey was one thing, but seeing it with her own eyes was entirely different.Her arms hung by her sides, fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms, yet she didn't feel a sliver of physical pain.Gillian wanted to take a step forward, but her limbs felt as heavy as lead."Dr. Jordan, you're here! Why are you just standing there?" A colleague spotted Gillian and hurried over, quickly briefing her on the situation. "The pregnant patient took a fall and reported some bleeding, so the pregnancy is unstable. The main issue is she has congenital heart disease and is allergic to several medications, which limits our options. It's a very complicated case."As she explained, the colleague pulled Gillian toward the examination room. "Her husband looks incredibly anxious and his expression is terrifying. He specifically demanded the best doctor in our hospital. I was terrified he'd threaten to bury us all if we couldn't save the baby."Gillian's complexion was poor. Hearing those words, a dense swarm of bitter and ironic emotions crept into her heart. Husband? Whose husband was he, exactly?Perhaps the unloved one was the true mistress.She pushed open the door to the examination room and saw York's gaze fixated on Hailey's face, his eyes swirling with an indescribable tenderness and heartache."I understand the general situation." Wearing her white coat, Gillian ignored York and walked straight toward Hailey.When York saw Gillian enter, his expression remained perfectly calm. He didn't even bat an eyelid, showing not a hint of embarrassment at being caught red-handed.Gillian thought to herself that let alone Hailey, even she was starting to doubt if she was actually his wife.She began her consultation. "Does your stomach hurt a lot?"Hailey lay on the bed, looking soft, fragile, and absolutely pitiful."A little bit, but not terribly.""Did you eat anything you shouldn't have?""I don't think so..." Hailey bit her lip. "I don't really remember what I had today."The silent man beside them finally spoke up. "She had a bowl of oatmeal, some organic chicken soup, and grilled salmon with a side of veggies for lunch. Tonight, she had chicken broth, BBQ ribs, and ate mangoes for dessert."Gillian's body stiffened slightly, and she shot York a look of utter disbelief.He didn't even remember when her birthday was, yet he had publicly flaunted Hailey on hers.And now, he knew every single detail of Hailey's daily routine, proving how attentive and caring he was in their everyday life.Gillian clenched her fists tightly. Everything unfolding before her was like a needle piercing her heart. The difference between being loved and unloved was just so glaringly obvious.York looked at Gillian. "Doctor, is there an issue with the food she ate?"He was having his wife check on his girlfriend's pregnancy, acting completely nonchalant as if he didn't even know her.Staring at his cold, unfamiliar gaze, his attitude and the oppressive atmosphere made it hard for her to breathe. Her hands and feet turned icy, and every breath felt like a physical ache in her chest.Gillian averted her gaze and took a deep breath. "No."She radiated a cold, aloof aura. Her slender frame stood perfectly straight, and she tightened her grip slightly, taking a long moment before finally speaking. "Family members need to step out. I need to run some examinations on the patient.""What kind of examination can't I watch?" York shot her an indifferent look, his words slicing into her like a sharp blade.Gillian tightened her grip and looked away. "I'm sorry, but please step out. It's hospital policy.""Policy?" The man's voice dropped to a cold register. Others might not have caught it, but she detected a faint, undeniable warning. "Hailey is pregnant and currently injured. I can't be at ease if I'm not by her side."How could Gillian not understand York's underlying meaning?He was worried she might have malicious intentions and harm Hailey or the baby out of jealousy. He was thoroughly insulting her professional ethics as a doctor."York, I'll be fine. Don't make things difficult for the doctor..." Hailey pitifully tugged at York's sleeve, her heart inevitably swelling with sweetness. Being cared for so deeply by the man she liked, how could she not be happy?The man's demeanor softened instantly. "I'm just worried about you and the baby."Since it concerned the baby, it was a major issue, so York didn't argue further. He patted Hailey's hand and comforted her gently. "I'll step out first and come check on you in a bit."Gillian lowered her eyes, masking the emotions in her gaze, refusing to watch their intimate display.The examination went quickly. The baby in Hailey's stomach was stable, and there was no bleeding. She just needed to go home, rest up, and come back for regular checkups.Upon hearing this, York disagreed. His face turned serious as he looked at Gillian with a commanding tone. "We can't be careless about this. Arrange for her to be admitted."Hailey couldn't hide her bashfulness. "The doctor said I'm fine and can go home to rest. Isn't this a bit of an overreaction?"The man frowned, displaying meticulous care for Hailey. "When it comes to the safety of you and the baby, there are no minor issues. I can listen to you about anything else, but for this, be good and listen to me, okay?"Gillian didn't bother exposing him, nor did she have the energy to do so. He certainly did a great job protecting his little girlfriend's innocence.Her heart ached, and she had no desire to watch them act so in love. The more she watched, the more she felt that the past few years of her marriage were nothing but an illusion. She felt more and more like a clown, an absolute joke.Years of her pouring her heart out couldn't compare to Hailey, whom he had only known for a few months.Gillian let out a quiet breath and called over a nurse. "Claire, go arrange a hospital bed for Ms. Sinclair."Claire responded enthusiastically. "Right away, Dr. Jordan."As soon as Gillian left, Hailey started chattering away like someone had opened a floodgate."York, did you know? That Director Jordan from just now is incredible. She's a doctoral advisor at Metropolis Medical College. I heard she has a double degree, got direct admission to her PhD, and was always a top scholar. Back then, she was known as a genius doctor on par with Miles Stanton. Everyone said they were a match made in heaven. She's simply amazing, the ultimate role model for medical students."Hailey looked full of admiration, completely oblivious to the shift in the man's expression."York, why aren't you saying anything?"He chuckled. "She's just average. In my eyes, you're the most amazing. I'll go handle your admission papers."Hailey's cheeks flushed. "What are you talking about? She has a medical double degree, how could I ever compare..."-Gillian didn't go home last night; she slept at the hospital.Around six the next morning, shortly after she woke up, a knock sounded at the door.When she opened it, Hailey was looking at her with a bright smile. "I hope I didn't disturb you! I came specifically to thank you for working overtime in the middle of the night to help me. I brought you some breakfast to show my appreciation."The young girl's features were innocent and delicate, her words brimming with a youthful energy—a purity that Gillian simply didn't possess.It was exactly this innocent charm that captivated men, so it was no wonder York liked her.Gillian didn't have the habit of accepting food from patients.Before she could even refuse, the young girl started chattering again. "You absolutely cannot say no! My boyfriend made this with his own hands bright and early. It'd be a waste not to eat it."Hearing the word 'boyfriend,' Gillian froze.Chapter 3Gillian Jordan had just gotten her pregnancy test results when she saw the news of York Foster proposing to his new flame.The screen was incredibly lively, the atmosphere ignited by a sky full of fireworks as the crowd pushed the couple together.The man wrapped his arm protectively around the girl, who gently cradled her lower stomach."Today is my birthday. Is there anything you want to say to me?" the girl coaxed playfully."Seeing you makes everyone else feel like a compromise.""Then I have a secret to tell you too..."The crowd erupted into cheers.The girl smiled with pure satisfaction, while her husband stared at her, his eyes overflowing with adoration.She was messing around, and he was laughing.In their five years of marriage, Gillian had never seen this gentle side of him; the scene she had always dreamed of was now playing out right in front of her eyes.Suddenly, she felt freezing cold, shivering so hard her teeth chattered.The elaborate dinner she had spent half the day preparing now felt like an absolute joke.Guessing that the man wouldn't be coming home, she packed up the cold food, deciding to feed it to a stray dog the next day.Around three in the morning, the man who should have been sharing a sweet night with his young girlfriend returned.Gillian recognized his footsteps in the pitch-black room; without turning on the lights, she felt the mattress dip slightly.The man hugged her from behind, bringing with him the sharp scent of alcohol. "I missed you..."The rain hammered noisily outside, making his voice sound hazy and hoarse; she couldn't quite catch the last word he muttered.He peppered kisses along her earlobe and neck, his hot breath sending a suffocating wave of tingling heat through her—he was deeply affectionate, incredibly gentle.Over the past five years, the only harmony they shared was in bed, so she knew exactly what he wanted right now.But the thought that his arms had just been wrapped around another woman made her grit her teeth, and she tried to push York away.He gripped her waist tightly, his eyes and body radiating desire. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, his drunken voice rasped, "Wife, you care about me, don't you?"Boom—a flash of lightning tore through the sky outside, illuminating Gillian's deathly pale face for a split second.He never called her that.He had mistaken her for someone else, treating her like his newly revealed young girlfriend, Hailey Sinclair.Gillian reached out and flicked on the bedroom switch, flooding the room with light."Look closely. I'm not Hailey. If you want to act crazy, go find her."The man blinked open his hazy eyes to look at her. The woman before him had a pale face and a cold expression, completely lacking Hailey's youthful vitality and innocent obedience.In a flash, Gillian caught the awkward realization in his eyes.Half-sober now, York sat up slightly and rubbed his temples. "Right. You're not her.""She's completely pure. Where do you get the confidence to compare yourself to her?"A suffocating wave of despair pierced Gillian's heart, and she took a deep breath."If that's the case, why did you come looking for me?"A normal man would hide his mistress, but today he had ostentatiously announced her to the world, practically stomping Gillian's pride into the mud.Their marriage was a secret, but she wasn't dead.Looking at her pale face, York let out a light scoff. "She's pregnant. I need to give her a proper title."His indifferent words, spoken once his rationality returned, hit Gillian so hard she turned ashen.With one sentence, he explained everything perfectly.She was pregnant and couldn't have sex, so he came to her for a release.She was pregnant and needed a title, so he wanted Gillian to step aside voluntarily.Gillian stared at his face, so pushed to the edge of fury that she actually felt numb. "And what if I were pregnant too?"Hearing this, York's gaze turned predatory and dark, as if he had just heard something incredibly disgusting. "Then get rid of it. It wouldn't be the first time."Those words poured over Gillian like ice water, freezing the blood in her veins.She clutched the bedsheets tightly, her knuckles turning white, her breaths catching as her heart throbbed with agony.Married for five years, she had loved York for eight whole years. But in his eyes, their marriage had always been a calculated transaction.The Jordan family had fallen from grace, her father was falsely accused, her mother fell severely ill from the shock, and her brother went missing after a car crash.To York, she was just a woman who crawled into his bed for his money to save her father's hospital.Seeing her stay silent, a storm brewed in York's eyes."You know the drill. You'll have to give up the title of Mrs. Foster sooner or later.""Anyone can give birth to my child, except you."Long after the man slammed the door and left, Gillian sat frozen on the bed, replaying those words as if she couldn't comprehend them.But no matter how much she thought about it, her mind kept returning to a young girl's panicked crying on the phone.Her ringtone suddenly blared, and Gillian flexed her stiff fingers to answer the call."Dr. Jordan, a young pregnant woman took a fall and her situation is complicated. Can we ask you to come to the hospital?"Gillian collected her emotions, quickly freshened up, and arrived at the hospital in no time.The moment she stepped through the doors of the obstetrics department, her barely pieced-together composure shattered all over again.She saw York carrying Hailey in his arms, rushing toward the examination room. The man's face was etched with panic and concern as he comforted her along the way. "Don't be afraid, Hailey. I'm right here."His voice was incredibly gentle—an emotion she had never witnessed, a kind word she had never once heard from York's lips.The scene was blindingly painful, like a knife twisting in her heart. Knowing he loved Hailey was one thing, but seeing it with her own eyes was entirely different.Her arms hung by her sides, fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms, yet she didn't feel a sliver of physical pain.Gillian wanted to take a step forward, but her limbs felt as heavy as lead."Dr. Jordan, you're here! Why are you just standing there?" A colleague spotted Gillian and hurried over, quickly briefing her on the situation. "The pregnant patient took a fall and reported some bleeding, so the pregnancy is unstable. The main issue is she has congenital heart disease and is allergic to several medications, which limits our options. It's a very complicated case."As she explained, the colleague pulled Gillian toward the examination room. "Her husband looks incredibly anxious and his expression is terrifying. He specifically demanded the best doctor in our hospital. I was terrified he'd threaten to bury us all if we couldn't save the baby."Gillian's complexion was poor. Hearing those words, a dense swarm of bitter and ironic emotions crept into her heart. Husband? Whose husband was he, exactly?Perhaps the unloved one was the true mistress.She pushed open the door to the examination room and saw York's gaze fixated on Hailey's face, his eyes swirling with an indescribable tenderness and heartache."I understand the general situation." Wearing her white coat, Gillian ignored York and walked straight toward Hailey.When York saw Gillian enter, his expression remained perfectly calm. He didn't even bat an eyelid, showing not a hint of embarrassment at being caught red-handed.Gillian thought to herself that let alone Hailey, even she was starting to doubt if she was actually his wife.She began her consultation. "Does your stomach hurt a lot?"Hailey lay on the bed, looking soft, fragile, and absolutely pitiful."A little bit, but not terribly.""Did you eat anything you shouldn't have?""I don't think so..." Hailey bit her lip. "I don't really remember what I had today."The silent man beside them finally spoke up. "She had a bowl of oatmeal, some organic chicken soup, and grilled salmon with a side of veggies for lunch. Tonight, she had chicken broth, BBQ ribs, and ate mangoes for dessert."Gillian's body stiffened slightly, and she shot York a look of utter disbelief.He didn't even remember when her birthday was, yet he had publicly flaunted Hailey on hers.And now, he knew every single detail of Hailey's daily routine, proving how attentive and caring he was in their everyday life.Gillian clenched her fists tightly. Everything unfolding before her was like a needle piercing her heart. The difference between being loved and unloved was just so glaringly obvious.York looked at Gillian. "Doctor, is there an issue with the food she ate?"He was having his wife check on his girlfriend's pregnancy, acting completely nonchalant as if he didn't even know her.Staring at his cold, unfamiliar gaze, his attitude and the oppressive atmosphere made it hard for her to breathe. Her hands and feet turned icy, and every breath felt like a physical ache in her chest.Gillian averted her gaze and took a deep breath. "No."She radiated a cold, aloof aura. Her slender frame stood perfectly straight, and she tightened her grip slightly, taking a long moment before finally speaking. "Family members need to step out. I need to run some examinations on the patient.""What kind of examination can't I watch?" York shot her an indifferent look, his words slicing into her like a sharp blade.Gillian tightened her grip and looked away. "I'm sorry, but please step out. It's hospital policy.""Policy?" The man's voice dropped to a cold register. Others might not have caught it, but she detected a faint, undeniable warning. "Hailey is pregnant and currently injured. I can't be at ease if I'm not by her side."How could Gillian not understand York's underlying meaning?He was worried she might have malicious intentions and harm Hailey or the baby out of jealousy. He was thoroughly insulting her professional ethics as a doctor."York, I'll be fine. Don't make things difficult for the doctor..." Hailey pitifully tugged at York's sleeve, her heart inevitably swelling with sweetness. Being cared for so deeply by the man she liked, how could she not be happy?The man's demeanor softened instantly. "I'm just worried about you and the baby."Since it concerned the baby, it was a major issue, so York didn't argue further. He patted Hailey's hand and comforted her gently. "I'll step out first and come check on you in a bit."Gillian lowered her eyes, masking the emotions in her gaze, refusing to watch their intimate display.The examination went quickly. The baby in Hailey's stomach was stable, and there was no bleeding. She just needed to go home, rest up, and come back for regular checkups.Upon hearing this, York disagreed. His face turned serious as he looked at Gillian with a commanding tone. "We can't be careless about this. Arrange for her to be admitted."Hailey couldn't hide her bashfulness. "The doctor said I'm fine and can go home to rest. Isn't this a bit of an overreaction?"The man frowned, displaying meticulous care for Hailey. "When it comes to the safety of you and the baby, there are no minor issues. I can listen to you about anything else, but for this, be good and listen to me, okay?"Gillian didn't bother exposing him, nor did she have the energy to do so. He certainly did a great job protecting his little girlfriend's innocence.Her heart ached, and she had no desire to watch them act so in love. The more she watched, the more she felt that the past few years of her marriage were nothing but an illusion. She felt more and more like a clown, an absolute joke.Years of her pouring her heart out couldn't compare to Hailey, whom he had only known for a few months.Gillian let out a quiet breath and called over a nurse. "Claire, go arrange a hospital bed for Ms. Sinclair."Claire responded enthusiastically. "Right away, Dr. Jordan."As soon as Gillian left, Hailey started chattering away like someone had opened a floodgate."York, did you know? That Director Jordan from just now is incredible. She's a doctoral advisor at Metropolis Medical College. I heard she has a double degree, got direct admission to her PhD, and was always a top scholar. Back then, she was known as a genius doctor on par with Miles Stanton. Everyone said they were a match made in heaven. She's simply amazing, the ultimate role model for medical students."Hailey looked full of admiration, completely oblivious to the shift in the man's expression."York, why aren't you saying anything?"He chuckled. "She's just average. In my eyes, you're the most amazing. I'll go handle your admission papers."Hailey's cheeks flushed. "What are you talking about? She has a medical double degree, how could I ever compare..."-Gillian didn't go home last night; she slept at the hospital.Around six the next morning, shortly after she woke up, a knock sounded at the door.When she opened it, Hailey was looking at her with a bright smile. "I hope I didn't disturb you! I came specifically to thank you for working overtime in the middle of the night to help me. I brought you some breakfast to show my appreciation."The young girl's features were innocent and delicate, her words brimming with a youthful energy—a purity that Gillian simply didn't possess.It was exactly this innocent charm that captivated men, so it was no wonder York liked her.Gillian didn't have the habit of accepting food from patients.Before she could even refuse, the young girl started chattering again. "You absolutely cannot say no! My boyfriend made this with his own hands bright and early. It'd be a waste not to eat it."Hearing the word 'boyfriend,' Gillian froze.