Chapter 2

On the day of the surgery, Javier kept a close eye on me for twelve hours straight, not letting me eat a single thing.

He held my hand and told me not to be scared, saying it was just a small operation.

He promised he'd be waiting right outside the whole time, and once he was sure the surgery went well, he'd go commit suicide.

After signing the consent form, he waved goodbye like he was sending me off to the battlefield. "Go on. If everything goes smoothly, this'll be the last time we ever see each other."

But my appearance was the biggest twist of all. Five minutes later, the operating room door opened again, and I walked over to him gingerly, looking apologetic.

I explained, "The doctor said I'm already in my second trimester. If I go through with the abortion now, it could really hurt me, and I might never be able to have children again.

"I've changed my mind. Can I keep the baby?

"I'm an orphan, with nobody to rely on. This child could be my only family. I'll do my best to raise it right."

I gently touched my slightly rounded belly, my eyes red with tears as I looked at him, giving him the saddest puppy eyes I could muster.

Javier paused, torn.

But it was his kid after all. Since I wanted the kid, why not?

He figured it was my call, so he respected my choice.

So, soft-hearted as ever, Javier gave in to me again. He glanced at my belly, then nodded. "Alright."

Great! Now all I had to do was keep testing his boundaries, seeing just how far I could push him.

I'd already discovered Javier was a total pushover, nothing like the ruthless guy everyone said he was.

When it came to the baby, I could see how soft-hearted he really was. He always respected my choices and kept giving in to me.

From now on, I would use the baby to put on a great performance.

After I decided not to go through with the abortion, Javier, since he was in such a hurry to wrap things up and move on, started sorting things out for me all over again.

This time, it took him ten days.

During those ten days, he bought a house in a great school district, near top-rated elementary and middle schools, for me and the baby.

He also handed me a card with 1.5 million dollars on it, which was more than enough to raise the child.

He let go of the maid he'd hired to look after me after the abortion, and instead booked me into a luxury maternity center, paying for everything up front.

After I complained about my terrible fashion sense and worried our kid would end up in ugly clothes, he stocked a whole room with baby outfits, from newborn to three years old, for boys and girls alike.

He even got a crib, a stroller, and the whole set of baby gear, all ready to go.

If he hadn't worried about formula and diapers expiring, he probably would've bought those in advance too.

Once he'd sorted everything out, feeling like there was nothing left for him in this world, he went back on the rooftop.

It was the same rooftop. Last time he'd watched the sunset from here, but now he was staring out at the sea of city lights.

When I rushed over, he was calmly sitting on the outside edge of the rooftop railing. He looked way too calm for someone with his feet dangling over the abyss and could fall at any moment.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest, but I didn't try to talk him out of committing suicide.

If someone was dead set on suicide, no amount of talking would change their mind.

All I could do was drag things out.

As for how long it would work would have to depend on him.

I gave his shoulder a gentle tap, trying to sound as polite as possible. "Sorry to bug you again."

Javier didn't show any impatience, just gave his usual little frown, already bracing himself to fix whatever I'd come up with next. "What is it now?"

Awkwardly, I said, "Word is, you're loaded. If you die, your relatives will swoop in on your money. They've always been out to get you, never really cared about you.

"So I was thinking, instead of letting them have it, why not leave it to our kid instead?

"He's your only child, and he's never done you wrong. I haven't, either.

"Why let those leeches cash in? Better your own kid gets the good stuff than those vultures."

With that, I pointed at my belly. The baby kicked right then, and my belly moved.

I was thrilled.

If the baby could hear me, it would definitely agreed with what I said.