ManyWriters

Xavion's newly acquired seventy-second lover was pregnant. I discovered this just after I had finished dealing with his previous obsessively clingy little bird who was already showing.
Right in front of me, lover number seventy-two cradled her belly as she perched on Xavion's lap:
"I heard that Serenity's opera performances before her pregnancy were among the best in the circle. I'd love to hear it~ Mr. Winters, could you make her change into costume and sing for me right now? If she pleases me..."
She leaned closer to Xavion, her eyes filled with seduction.
"Tonight, Mr. Winters can play however he wants."
Xavion's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then in the next instant, he looked up at me.
He didn't say anything, but everyone present understood his meaning.
With a pale face, I clutched my stomach and pleaded with him:
"Xavion, please, no. Singing and dancing, I'll miscarry!"
The crowd burst into laughter. Xavion, feeling embarrassed, looked at me with disdain:
"It's not like you haven't miscarried before. If you lose it, can't you just get pregnant again? Why are you still standing there?""Strip off your clothes now! If you can't cheer Vivienne up, you might as well not come down from that stage tonight!"
With that, the crowd roughly tore off my outer garments.
I was stripped bare, their mocking gazes roaming over every inch of my body. Their disgusting stares made my pregnant belly ache with pangs of discomfort.
Finally, having had their fill of looking, they tossed me a costume like some kind of charity.
With trembling hands, I put on the costume, watching as Xavion and Vivienne shared a passionate kiss surrounded by the adoring crowd.
In the chaotic breeze, I began to sing, my laughter bitter.
Xavion, this is the seventh time, and it will be the last.

My Heart Ached Seven Times In the Harsh Winter

I took a deep breath and wiped my tears fiercely.


"Enough, Xavion. Even if I'm guilty, in the past five years I've lost my parents, lost my brother, lost five children, and endured betrayal and torture from my lover! Even the greatest crime or debt has been repaid! Moreover, it wasn't even me who caused Grandma's death!"


After crying my heart out, I struggled to calm myself down.


"I'm exhausted. Now that you've seen the truth, just go."


Xavion didn't move. It was then that I noticed he was already in tears.


I knew he was hurting, but how could my own heart be any less pained?


My innocence may have been proven, but it was all too late.


With red-rimmed eyes, I grabbed my shopping bag and headed out. Before leaving, I left the flash drive on the table.


"I hope you're gone by the time I get back."


When I returned from grocery shopping, the old house was empty.


The flash drive was gone, and so was Xavion.


Chapter 10