Chapter 3

"Got it," I replied.

While I was driving Jordan to the hospital, I couldn't help but replay what Osbert had said back when we got married.

"Astrid, my career is really taking off right now. I'm worried that if we go public, people will start gossiping. Can we keep it under wraps for now?" he'd said.

I realized that he was referring to Helen.

"Mom, watch out!" Jordan shouted.

I snapped back to reality and saw a car barreling straight toward us.

It was way too close. I didn't even have time to react.

I shoved Jordan out of the way, and the car crashed into me, hitting me square in the stomach.

The driver swerved and sped off without even stopping.

In that dazed moment, I saw clearly who was behind the wheel.

It was Helen.

Lying in a pool of blood, I weakly dialed Osbert's number.

"Osbert, I think I just lost the baby..." I whispered.

There was a brief silence on the other end. Then, Osbert said, "Astrid, don't you ever get tired of this? If you're not sick of it, I sure am."

Then he lowered his voice and added, "Astrid, stop pretending just to get my attention. Just hang on a little longer. I'll clear things up soon."

I clutched my stomach in utter despair. Soon, I passed out.

When I came to, Jordan was the only one by my bedside.

He was asleep, slumped over the edge of the bed, his face already cleaned up and bandaged.

I felt so weak that I could barely lift my hand. I touched my flat stomach and asked, "Nurse, is my baby okay?"

The nurse came in to change my bandages. Seeing I was awake, she lowered her voice and said, "I'm sorry, you lost the baby. Don't be too hard on yourself. Your health comes first."

She let out a sigh. "Your injuries were really severe. I'm sorry, but you won't be able to have children anymore."

I couldn't hold back anymore, and I cried my heart out in total despair.

"Where's your husband? Why is your son the only one here with you?" the nurse asked.

I parted my lips, wanting to answer, but the words just wouldn't come. I honestly didn't know what to say.

Just then, fireworks started popping off nearby, and the nurse couldn't hide her envy as she watched.

"I wish I was Mrs. Foster. Mr. Foster set up this whole fireworks show just to make her happy. The whole area around the Foster Group is lit up!" she said.

"Are they talking about Osbert Foster's wife?" I asked numbly.

The nurse nodded, her eyes practically sparkling.

"Yeah. Do you know Mr. Foster?" she asked.

I just stayed quiet.

Just as the fireworks lit up the night sky, my phone rang. It was Osbert.

"Honey, I can finally come back to you. Where are you?" he asked, excitement and hope in his voice.

"I'm at the hospital, getting the divorce papers ready for you..." I replied.

Osbert sounded genuinely confused. "Why are you getting divorce papers at the hospital? Honey, what are you even talking about?"

I closed my eyes in utter despair, tears streaming down my cheeks.

I'd already called Osbert and told him I'd lost the baby, but now he was asking me why I was even at the hospital, like he'd forgotten everything.

Jordan's voice broke the silence. "Mom, you're awake. Are you feeling any better?

"The nurse said my little sister is gone. Is it true, Mom?"

Jordan's words hit me like a tidal wave. I broke down, sobbing so hard I couldn't even speak.

Osbert's angry voice roared through the phone. "Jordan, what are you talking about?

"There's no way anything happened to the baby. Jordan, are you seriously buying into your mom's drama?"

Jordan was stunned for a moment, then snatched the phone out of my hand.

"Dad, Mom was bleeding a lot. After she came out of surgery, the nurse told me my baby sister is gone," Jordan said, his childish voice choked with sobs.

Suddenly, Osbert went completely silent on the other end.

I kept sobbing, and the nurse rushed in to check on me.

The nurse sighed, trying to comfort me, "I could hear you crying from the next room. Please, don't cry anymore. You just went through the procedure, and crying so much isn't good for your health right now.

"Hey, you and your husband already have a son. That's a blessing. Just give him all your love, okay? Try not to think about not being able to have more kids."

But her words just made me cry even harder.

I knew she was just trying to help, but I couldn't get past it.