Chapter 2

He stared at me, his eyes flickering with shock.

Perhaps he thought I would never agree, which is why he called me here in the middle of the night to humiliate me in every way possible.

He might even have had more despicable tricks up his sleeve, waiting for me.

But he never expected me to agree so readily.

"What did you say?"

I smiled bitterly and repeated:

"I said, I'll get rid of the baby."

Amidst the shocked gazes of everyone present, I slowly walked out of the private room.

Behind me, I heard the chaotic sounds of things being smashed. As I closed the door, I shut out everything.

I dialed the number I had contacted a month ago.

"Serena, you've won."

"I don't want Zoran anymore. He's all yours."

Serena's return was a month ago, right when I had just found out about my pregnancy and signed the surrogacy agreement with the Gevano family.

She contacted me, hoping I could arrange a meeting between her and Zoran.

I knew she just wanted me as a witness, to tell a few lies in her favor.

The truth is, Zoran would believe anything Serena said, no matter how absurd.

Just like he would never believe anything I said. I refused Serena's request. Serena proposed a bet that Zoran wouldn't let me have this baby.

Now I've lost, utterly and completely.

I thought even if there was no love, there should at least be some sympathy, if only for the child.

But Zoran had none. He has no heart.

Early the next morning, I braved the wind and snow to take a cab to the hospital, scheduling an abortion.

"The baby is already formed. Are you sure you want to terminate?"

The doctor looked over my test results with a hint of regret.

"Doctor, I want the standard procedure, not the painless option."

My hand, hidden in my sleeve, clenched tightly. As I nodded, my heart felt like it was being torn apart.

The doctor looked up in surprise, glanced behind me, and nodded in understanding.

Without anyone to sign for me, I couldn't choose the painless option even for an abortion.

Lying on the operating table, I felt acutely aware of the baby disappearing from my womb.

The pain was excruciating, piercing through my heart and lungs.

Sweetheart, I'm sorry.

Mommy is useless. I couldn't protect you.

"The patient has developed a perforation during the procedure, causing heavy bleeding. Quick! Contact her family!"

Unconscious from the pain, I was shaken awake by a nurse:

"Where's the phone number for your family?"You're bleeding heavily, we need to contact..."

"The registration form has the father's number!"

...

"Mr. Gevano, your wife is hemorrhaging during an abortion procedure at the hospital. We need you to come sign the consent form!"

The nurse anxiously called out my name.

There was silence on the other end.

"Felicity, are you conspiring with doctors to put on a show now?"

"Wait until you're dead, then tell me to come collect your body!"

The line went dead, and chaos erupted in the operating room.

My consciousness kept drifting, but snapped back the moment I heard those words.

He'd rather wait for me to die than trust me once.

I smiled bitterly, only closing my eyes when tears finally fell.

I'm so tired. Living is so exhausting.

Loving someone who doesn't love me back is even more draining.

But Zoran, if you knew the person you love would rather fake their death to leave you, would you regret treating me this way?

Zoran and I grew up together, childhood sweethearts. My feelings for him were always kept in the shadows.