Chapter 1

I send the ultrasound report to Elliot, "Honey, we finally have a baby."

After ten years of IVF, this day has finally come.

But what I receive is Elliot's cold response, "Desmond, we're not keeping this baby."

The reason is he's afraid his childhood sweetheart, devastated by her recent miscarriage, couldn't bear the news of someone else having a child. He doesn't want to trigger her painful memories.

I can't believe it. Crying, I call him many times.

As soon as he picks up, he's impatient, "Why are you overreacting? It's just a baby. Summer lost hers too, didn't she? Either terminate the pregnancy or get a divorce. Your choice."

Summer's tearful voice comes through the phone, "Desmond, Elliot's just talking nonsense for my sake. It's my bad luck to blame. Don't be mad at him, blame me if you must."

I turn off my phone, laughing weakly. If I have to choose, I'll choose neither.Later, Summer, with her protruding belly, said to me with a smug look, "It was just a joke back then. I didn't expect Elliot to take it seriously. Desmond, you're not going to be a sore loser, are you?"

I smiled nonchalantly, "A leopard can't change its spots. It's not surprising."

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1

"My wife's husband is truly the world's greatest man, urging his wife to abandon their child for his childhood sweetheart. Let's give him a round of applause."

I posted the ultrasound report and miscarriage papers on my social media, making sure to include the chat logs of Elliot asking me to terminate the pregnancy.

Everyone should know about this gentle, considerate, and principled side of Elliot.

Soon, my phone was flooded with calls from our mutual friends. As it kept buzzing incessantly, I irritably picked it up, ready to turn it off.

Just before shutting it down, Elliot's call came through. I hesitated for a moment before answering.

Deep down, I thought, maybe he would regret it.

After connecting, there was silence for a while. Then Elliot's displeased voice came through the line,

"Desmond, you're truly disgusting. I only asked you not to have this child now, not to never have children. Did you really need to be so vile to me?"

"Do you know that Summer has been crying non-stop because of you? She's been blaming herself and almost attempted suicide.""She lost her baby and she's hurting too. Why do you have to be like this, leaving no room for reconciliation?"

"Don't you have a conscience?"

I calmly listened to Elliot's barrage of accusations. I'm such a fool for my unrealistic thoughts earlier.

How could he ever regret it?

Summer is his childhood sweetheart, they've been together since they were kids. I've only been married to him for five years. How could that compare to their twenty-plus years of history?

My heart began to ache slowly. I took a deep breath.

"What about your conscience, Elliot? Five years! Do you have any idea how hard these five years have been for me?" I held back my tears. Had he forgotten how much I wanted this baby?

"You and Summer have always had this ambiguous relationship. Now, for her sake, you don't care about anything else, is that it?"

"Desmond, can you please stop overthinking? Why do you always have such dirty thoughts? Summer is my good friend, and her husband is my best bud. Two months ago, when her husband was on his deathbed in the hospital, his last wish was for me to take care of her. Tell me, how could I refuse?""Desmond, can you please stop being so stubborn? It's only been 5 years of IVF. If we've had one 5-year period, who's to say we can't have another? We'll have a child sooner or later. You know I love you." The promises flowed from the other end of the line, but my body shivered with cold.

This is where Elliot excels. Every time he does something to hurt me, as long as he says he loves me, I forgive him. Over time, I'm not even sure if he truly loves me anymore.

"So, just because she lost her baby, you want me to give up on having children too?"

"Well, her husband died. Why don't you go and die too!"

I hang up the phone, tears flowing uncontrollably - for my five years of effort, and for the child I'll never know.

My phone chimes twice more.

It's a photo from Summer. In it, she's nestled in Elliot's arms, crying crocodile tears with a smile on her lips. Elliot's holding her like she's precious, his eyes full of concern.

Summer sends a taunting message, "Desmond, thank your husband for comforting me. I feel much better now. His chest is so warm and makes me feel so safe. I envy you for having such a gentle husband."I roll my eyes and reply flatly, "What brand of plastic bag are you? You sure can hold a lot. Please don't insult my intelligence with your pathetic acting skills."

I double down, "His performance in the bedroom is lacking. Good luck dealing with that in the future."

Without the annoying sound of the phone, the room falls eerily quiet. Even the air feels chilly.

I turn to survey every corner of the house. Memories of decorating this place with Elliot flash vividly before my eyes.