ManyWriters

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."

You are my only

"I was poor growing up, and I never want to live that kind of hand-to-mouth existence again. So I made a bet with him - if he could start his own company within 5 years, I'd be with him the day he achieved success."


"He actually did it. Think about it - a man that capable, lending you 5 years - aren't you secretly thrilled?"


Summer's words pierced my heart like daggers, finally jolting me awake to reality.


Elliot, I had placed my trust in the wrong person after all.


Summer's voice continued, dripping with venom. Her eyes were filled with poison, like she wanted to swallow me whole.


"We had such a promising start. But those 5 years made him waver. He got in over his head. He started caring about you."


"He tells me about your likes and dislikes, says he wants to make it up to you by taking you to all the places you want to go. He daydreams about your future together. This isn't how it was supposed to be. This isn't what we agreed on."


"You've got your happily ever after, you even have a child with him. But what about me? I'm a widow carrying the child of that short-lived man. How am I supposed to live the rest of my life?"


"Your child absolutely cannot be born."I suddenly felt so sad, for myself and for Summer.


"Summer, what I told you before is true. Elliot, I don't want him anymore, and I don't love him anymore. Whatever happens between you two has nothing to do with me."


This world has such a vast sky, worthy of my pursuit.


No one needs to be tied down to a single person, especially not a fickle man.


I've already sent my return-to-work application to the company, and HR has been in constant contact with me, hoping I'll come back to the airline and resume flying.


Elliot has weak sperm, so we've always had trouble conceiving. And because I'm constantly flying, I was worried about radiation issues making it even harder for us to get pregnant, so I applied for unpaid leave a year ago.


But now, things haven't gone as planned. Or maybe, it's time for me to start my new life. In my own world, I can truly be myself.


Levi received the news quickly and called me. His joy overflowed through the phone.


"Desmond, you're finally coming back. I've always said the sky suits you best."


I chuckled, "So, how lonely have you been without me keeping you company?"I smiled, amused that he was acting up again. "At least you still have some humanity left, not forgetting your old man. Alright then, I'll see you at the company next month."


Quickly, I found a place to live within three days. After I got settled in, I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock outside.


It was Elliot. He was using a key to open my apartment?!


Furious, I snatched the key from him. "Where did you get a key to my place? How did you know I was here?"


Elliot looked worried. "Desmond, why weren't you answering my calls?"


I eyed Elliot suspiciously. Soon, someone else emerged from behind him - the building manager.


Looking extremely uncomfortable and sensing the tension between us, he hurriedly explained,


"Mrs. Winters, Mr. Winters said he called you but couldn't reach you. He was worried something might have happened, so he contacted us. In his panic, he grabbed my key and opened the door. I'm so sorry."After property management left, Elliot took my hand tenderly. "Let's go home. Stop making a fuss. You've had time to cool off. Come back with me, and we'll forget all about this divorce talk. We can still have a good life together."


I yanked my hand away from Elliot, my eyes filled with disbelief.


So, in the days since I brought up divorce, he thought I was just throwing a tantrum? He let me stew alone, expecting me to regret how wrong I was? He was waiting for me to apologize to him!


Chapter 4