Chapter 5

Our relationship spanned six years, with two of those as an engaged couple. We had built a strong bond based on affection.

Charlie was an attractive man and an exemplary educator. Despite his position as dean, he remained approachable and frequently interacted with students across all college departments.

He maintained a natural, unbreakable boundary. Admirers, including students, coworkers, and strangers, often surrounded him. Yet, he consistently made it clear to others, "I'm committed to my wife. Please maintain appropriate distance."

To me, he seemed like the ideal, thoughtful partner. But when did he start letting Miranda encroach on our lives?

Reflecting on it, I believe it began when he first commented on Miranda's charm.

At first, he found her lively, confident, and outspoken nature overwhelming. He even complained to me about how draining it was to manage her during his substitute teaching sessions, describing her as too boisterous.

Yet, over time, his complaints evolved into praise. I can still recall the gentle tone in his voice when he remarked, "You know, she's actually quite endearing."

His expression at that moment mirrored the look he had when he first confessed his feelings to me.

"Rose ... you're ... really charming. I have strong feelings for you. Do you feel the same? May I court you?" he had said back then.

I was startled awake by the sound of Charlie showering. He had returned home just before six in the morning.

It wasn't difficult to guess what he had been doing during those missing hours. I only needed to check Miranda's Instagram for confirmation.

"Mr. Peterson is incredible! He promised to stay and comfort me until I fell asleep, and he kept his word. Who has the most devoted boyfriend? Oh, that's right, it's me!"

Without emotion, I gave her post a like.

Almost immediately, she sent me a private WhatsApp message, "Thanks for the like, Miss Jennings. But don't misunderstand, there's nothing happening between Mr. Peterson and me."

When Charlie finished his shower, he awkwardly brought me breakfast. He said, "Eat this while it's hot. I remember you enjoy soy milk."

He paused before adding, "About last night ... the locked door was unintentional. I accidentally bumped into Miranda and she got oil on her clothes, so she needed to shower and wash her hair."

I forced myself out of bed and gave him a disinterested nod.

Only after I finished breakfast did Charlie stand up and pack his bags. I watched him silently, making no effort to speak. For once, he took the initiative to explain, "I volunteered to be the supervising teacher for the sketching art class. I couldn't let them work without supervision."

"I promised you I'd take care of these students. I have to keep my word," he told me.

I laughed bitterly. What an admirable sense of duty. He cared for his students so thoroughly that it extended to the bedroom. How responsible indeed.

"When are you leaving?" I asked.

"Tonight," he replied after a moment's hesitation.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

"I'll be back in time for your next prenatal checkup," he added, noticing my silence.

I gave no response, and when he left for his midnight flight, I had already gone to bed. I had no intention of seeing him off.

A sigh reached my ears, followed by the sound of the door closing. I got up and looked out the window.

Outside, Charlie was already on a call with Miranda. He walked quickly, never looking back. I watched his figure fade into the distance.

After they left, Miranda's already frequent Instagram updates became even more regular.

The day Charlie opened a savings account and deposited fifteen thousand dollars into it for her spending money, I moved out of the apartment.

I retrieved the dowry I had received from his mother during our engagement from the safe deposit box in our bedroom. I packed the thirteen thousand and two hundred dollars in cash and the three gold jewelry pieces into a gift box.

I brought the jewelry and money to Charlie's parents without a word, but they immediately understood my intention.

Their feelings toward me had always been ambiguous. While they never openly expressed dislike, I knew they had preferred the Education Bureau director's daughter as their ideal daughter-in-law.

Yet, Charlie had been so determined to marry me that he even threatened to resign and cut ties with them if they didn't agree.

For him, I had once been someone he truly loved.

In reality, his parents were never fully supportive of our marriage. Now that I was initiating a breakup, they seemed relieved.

However, Mrs. Peterson, Charlie's mother, still hesitated. Her gaze lingered on my stomach before asking, "What about the baby?"

I remained composed as I replied, "I lost it. I slipped and fell on my way to a prenatal checkup a few days ago."

They said nothing more. They just stood aside and waited for me to leave on my own.

Before I walked out the door, I made one request of them, which was to keep the miscarriage a secret for now. They agreed without question.

Three hours before I left the city, I received a rare call from Charlie. "Rose," he said. "I'm sorry. I might need to stay here for another couple of weeks. There's still some work to finish, so I probably won't make it back in time for your next prenatal checkup."

He said again, "Next time, I promise I'll be there."

I heard him exhale heavily, but I continued packing without any change in my tone when I spoke, "It's fine. You take care of your work."

What he didn't know was that there wouldn't be a next time or any time after that. There was no future left for us.

Before boarding my flight, I mailed a copy of my "post-miscarriage recovery" medical report to his office at the school using express delivery, with Charlie as the recipient.