Chapter 1
I was three months pregnant when my husband finally made time to come with me for a checkup.
But while we were waiting in line, he was suddenly gone.
There was no explanation, no goodbye. I had to stumble my way through the whole appointment alone.
When I walked out of the clinic, I saw his ex's social media post: [Seven pounds, six ounces. Our baby's finally here.]
The photo showed her holding a newborn while being in his arms, both of them smiling blissfully.
I stared at the screen for a long time before typing: [Since you two already had a baby, I'll step aside. Now you can be a real family.]
Then I booked an abortion appointment, went home, and handed him the divorce papers.
He never expected I'd just walk out on him. For the first time ever, he panicked.
*****
I sat alone in the waiting area outside the exam room, lost in thought, watching all the happy couples passing by.
I still couldn't believe my husband, Alden Galloway, had ditched me at the hospital right when I needed him most.
It was ridiculous. After all, I was his wife.
Suddenly, my eyes blurred. I hadn't even noticed I was crying.
Just then, my phone lit up with Alden's name. I snapped out of my daze and answered.
"Zara, are you out of your mind? What the hell was with that comment you left on Clarissa's post?" Alden barked. "I'm the baby's godfather, so what if she posted it?
"Besides, she just gave birth and she's still weak. Now you've made her cry nonstop. If anything happens to her, you'll regret it."
On the other end, Alden was completely hysterical. He only cared about Clarissa.
I didn't want to hear it anymore, so I just hung up on him.
The next second, my phone buzzed with messages from Alden.
He wrote: [Delete that comment right now. Enough with the drama.]
Alden: [Clarissa needed me when she was giving birth. I had to leave in a hurry, and didn't get a chance to tell you.]
Alden: [Don't you get it? Giving birth is way more important than a prenatal check-up. Don't make a fuss.]
Reading his messages, I just felt totally wiped out. I couldn't even bring myself to argue anymore.
Ever since Clarissa got divorced and moved back to the country, Alden kept leaving me for her.
He always played the baby card, saying pregnancy was tough on her and she needed someone to take care of her.
No matter when it was, if Clarissa called, Alden would drop whatever he was doing and run straight to her.
Even though Clarissa had a nurse and a nanny, Alden still dropped everything to look after her himself.
He tagged along to all her prenatal check-ups, bought her baby gear, and even took her out on trips just to lift her spirits.
And me? His own wife? I was completely ignored.
Ever since I got pregnant, he hasn't asked about me or the baby, not once. He never showed up for a single prenatal appointment.
I spent three months just hoping he'd finally step up as a husband and go to the hospital with me.
But in the end, he still chose Clarissa over me without a second thought.
All he cared about was Clarissa and her baby. When it came to me, all I ever got was blame and complaints.
All the years I spent giving my all to this marriage? Looking back, it was nothing but a joke.
I gently touched my barely-there baby bump, a wave of bitterness washing over me.
If this marriage was already dead, there was no point in holding on anymore.
I opened my phone, deleted the comment, and then went ahead and scheduled an abortion.
After the abortion, I went back to my parents' place to rest and try to get myself back together.
This baby didn't come easily. I had spent forever agonizing before I finally made up my mind to give up on the baby.
I used to really love Alden. When we got married, I always dreamed we'd have a kid together.
But when I told him I was pregnant, he wasn't excited at all. He didn't care about me, not even a little.
Alden's coldness and how he'd changed made me stop hoping for anything from him.
If my baby wasn't going to be born into a family that actually wanted it, I'd rather not let it come into this world just to suffer.
I spent a week holed up at my parents' place before Alden finally bothered to text me.
He texted: [Why aren't you home?]
Maybe he only remembered to come back after spending all his time looking after Clarissa and her newborn.
It was like he'd just realized he still had a wife.
I texted back, [Just went to visit my parents.]
Not long after I sent the message, I got a transfer from him for 15 thousand dollars.
He added: [Since you're there, stay a few more days with your parents. Buy yourself some supplements, and get something for them too.]
After thinking it over, I replied: [My parents are doing fine. I'm planning to head back in a couple of days.]
As soon as I sent it, he replied almost instantly.
He wrote: [Clarissa's been down ever since she saw your comment the other day. I brought her home with me today. She doesn't want to see you, and I don't want you to cause her any more stress.]
I thought my heart was numb, but reading that still hurt.
My husband ditched me at my prenatal check-up for Clarissa without a second thought.
I thought nothing could hurt more than that, but I was wrong.
I stayed at my parents' place, and for the first time in a long while, it felt like I was back in those days when I was surrounded by love.
After a week, it looked like Clarissa was finally over it, because Alden finally told me I could come home.
He texted: [Clarissa's not mad at you anymore, but when you get back, don't do anything to upset her. And make sure you help take care of her and the baby.]
I was catching up with some of my childhood friends, the ones I'd always been closest to.
Spending time with family and old friends reminded me that life was so much bigger than just marriage.
I didn't feel any bitterness at all, and texted back: [I'll come home next week. No need to stress out the new mom again.]