Love's Withered Bloom

In the third year of our marriage, I discovered I was pregnant. With my husband away on a business trip in another state, I had no choice but to go to the hospital for a check-up alone.

Little did I expect to see my supposedly out-of-town husband outside the examination room, fingers intertwined with his pure love.

I dialed his number once more. He answered, lowering his voice in irritation:

"Faye, are you incapable of understanding English? How many times do I have to tell you I'm in a meeting! A meeting!"

"You may be blind, but you're not deaf!"

A wave of sorrow washed over me as I slowly spoke:

"Where's this meeting? What kind of meeting?"

"If you're sick, go to the hospital. Stop acting crazy here."

He rudely hung up the phone, then turned to Pure Love's inquiry with a gentle smile.

"Just a blind woman. She's nothing compared to you."

The moment he turned and our eyes met, River's smile froze on his face.