ManyWriters

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.

Love's Withered Bloom

"Incomprehensible! I'm glad we don't have children together."


After delivering this harsh statement, River stormed back to the bedroom, slamming the door in frustration.


Perhaps out of guilt, he emerged not long after, taking my hand and suggesting we go to the hospital to have my eyes checked.


It was at that moment when Jade's personalized ringtone sounded on his phone.


It was an English song I once loved, but River had deemed it too vulgar and forbidden me from listening to it.


In the time it took him to answer the call, he had completely forgotten about taking me to the hospital. He grabbed his car keys and rushed out the door.


I had always believed there wasn't anyone in this world River truly cared about. Now I realized he simply didn't care about me.


Serenity updated her social media with a new photo.


"At this moment, the happiness between my sweetheart and I is becoming tangible."


She leaned vulnerably against River's chest, caressing her belly. On her ring finger was a wedding band identical to mine.


Only my ring was slightly too big, barely staying on with a red thread wrapped around it.


The post had no likes or comments. I suspected it was visible only to me.


After liking the post, I received a threatening invitation from Serenity.


After much deliberation, I decided to accept. It was for an exclusive members-only restaurant, a place River had taken me once before."Miss Frost, shall we prepare the usual dishes?"


Serenity nodded, then added that River wasn't coming today, so they didn't need to prepare his favorite dishes.


"Oh, and let's open a bottle of the wine River stored here before I went abroad. Let's give Miss Harrington here a taste."


She twirled the wedding ring on her ring finger, her gaze falling on the ring tied with red string on my finger.


"This pair of rings was personally designed by River for him and me. It's not appropriate for you to wear it, is it?"


I smiled, "I have a marriage certificate, so how is it not appropriate?"


Suddenly, Serenity laughed too, as if she'd heard an incredibly funny joke.


"Faye, how can you be so shameless? I'm already pregnant with River's child, why are you still clinging to him?"


Serenity covered her mouth as she looked me over, laughter spilling from the corners of her eyes.


"If it's not his, do you even believe that yourself?"


With that one sentence, I was utterly defeated. Now I felt exactly like a grade-schooler who knew they hadn't done their homework but still tried to make excuses.


Just as I didn't know how to respond, Serenity pointed to her right eye.


"Do you think my eye is beautiful?Under the dazzling lights, her eyes sparkled like stars, captivating to behold. Unsure of her meaning, I chose to remain silent.


But her next words caused the walls of love I had painstakingly built to come crashing down.


Chapter 4