3#03

3

I can't pinpoint when it all began.

The once-passionate young man who boldly pledged his devotion to me in front of our peers has vanished.

In his place stands someone consumed by worldly ambitions.

Yet I foolishly held onto a sliver of hope.

I wondered if knowing about our unborn child might have altered our path.

But harsh reality crushed my naive dreams.

He wouldn't even let me finish speaking.

How could I possibly expect him to commit to raising a child?

The one constant in life is that people's feelings inevitably shift.

I stood there, paralyzed, wrestling with a storm of emotions for what seemed like forever.

At last, I let out a trembling sigh, feeling a weight lift from my chest.

I reached for my phone and scheduled an abortion for the following day.

Around 11 PM, Darrell came home with Holly in tow.

I was trying to sleep, but their hushed voices pierced the quiet.

"I'm so full from dinner, I've got a little food baby," Holly said with a giggle.

"You look perfect no matter what, Holly," Darrell replied, his tone dripping with fondness.

"Then feel right here..."

"And... a bit lower."

Darrell never returned to our bedroom that night.

I lay sleepless, tormented by what felt like an endless downpour in my heart.

The next day, I woke early.

Just in time to see Darrell exiting Holly's room.

I gazed at him calmly, holding a cup of freshly made hot soy milk.

Panic flashed in Darrell's eyes as he hastily fastened his shirt buttons.

He approached me stiffly, reaching out to caress my ear in a seemingly affectionate gesture.

"Sweetheart, why are you up so early? Were you making medicine? Let me help," he murmured, his warm breath tickling my ear.

I shook my head, subtly moving away from his touch.

"I went to bed early yesterday. Go have your breakfast," I replied flatly.

"Oh, I see. I noticed you were asleep when I got in, so I slept in the study to avoid disturbing you," he said quickly, his tone forced.

"I just checked on Holly this morning. I wanted to make sure she's comfortable here. She's your sponsored student, after all. I feel responsible for her—it's only natural."

Darrell touched his nose, a clear sign he was lying. His eyes betrayed his discomfort, but I didn't pursue the matter.

I was weary of this pretense. All I wanted now was to end it.

After breakfast, I planned to visit the hospital.

Darrell helped me don my coat with practiced ease.

I hesitated, momentarily taken aback.

"It's chilly out. You should wear another layer—your hands are always cold," he said softly.

"Are you going for a check-up at the hospital today? I can drive you," he offered.

The coat's warmth enveloped me, but my heart ached with resentment.

Before going out, Darrell always checked the weather forecast and carefully selected my clothes.

From color coordination to matching styles, he even chose outfits based on different brand aesthetics.

Whenever I asked why he put in so much effort, Darrell would respond with unwavering seriousness, "My wife must always look stunning."

Holly's voice from the bedroom jolted me from my reverie.

"Mr. Thornton! How do I look in this outfit?"

Darrell's expression darkened momentarily, but he quickly masked his irritation.

Adopting a gentler tone, he extended his hand and gently guided me towards the door.

"You go on ahead. I just remembered I have an early meeting at the office, so I need to leave now," he said hurriedly.

"Call me if you need anything."

I watched his retreating figure, the bitterness in my chest threatening to overflow.

It had all begun two months after Holly joined his company.

Darrell became increasingly busy and less available.

He no longer accompanied me to the hospital for those endless tests.

Instead, he spent his free time visiting trendy cafes with his secretary and watching firework displays.

Yet, he never failed to take a sip of the bitter herbal concoction I had painstakingly prepared for him—until now.