Chapter 3

"If I don't take care of you, who will? I've been looking after you ever since you were little," Freddie said.

I didn't argue with him anymore.

But suddenly, he was like a whole new person, hovering around me, doting on me, and always asking about the baby.

My frozen heart was slowly warming up. Maybe he was totally freaked out, and after what happened, he finally realized he actually loves me.

That was until I accidentally overheard him on the phone with a friend.

He was smoking, talking into the phone, "I've already calmed her down. Don't worry, everything's fine."

After a pause, he chuckled and swore, then with a careless shrug in his voice, said, "Even if it's just a dog, after twenty years, you'd get attached."

"And besides, Alyson's more devoted than any dog could ever be. She's head over heels for me, totally hooked. She'd never leave."

I stood frozen behind the door, my hands and feet turning ice-cold.

He stubbed out his cigarette, hung up the phone, and the moment he saw me, he froze.

This time, I didn't say a word or cause any drama. I just turned around and quietly went back to the bedroom.

After a bit, he came in after me.

He hugged me from behind, his voice so soft it almost didn't sound real as he whispered in my ear, "Alyson, I love you."

First time he'd ever said those words to me, but I couldn't even tell anymore if he meant it.

"Don't overthink it. I promise, I'll treat you right from now on. Isn't it Georgina you're jealous of? I swear, I won't even think about her anymore. From now on, Alyson, you're my whole world, alright?"

I really wished I had the courage to push him away, but after all that hesitation, all I could do was say in a small, humble voice, "Okay."

Freddie gave a satisfied smile.

And just like that, we made up.

Thinking about it now, everything was just a lie. I was too selfish, too soft, and couldn't even bring myself to face reality.

After that, Freddie went on a business trip and was gone for two whole months.

He'd call me once a week for a video chat, just to check in on me and the baby, make sure we were fine, then he'd be off, busy with his own life again.

I could feel him pulling away from me again.

That was just how he's always been. Ever since we were kids, if he made me cry, he'd play the caring guy for a bit, trying to cheer me up. But once I was fine, he'd drop the act and go back to being his usual cold, harsh self.

But my life was so barren. No one ever loved me, and no one ever had my back.

Freddie's kindness was mixed with arsenic, but it was still the only sweetness I ever tasted in my whole life.

He was the one who understood me best in this world, so he could do whatever he wanted and never worry about losing me.

Two months later, Freddie was back.

Coincidentally, I had a prenatal check-up scheduled, so he drove me to the hospital.

And that was when everything at the very beginning went down.

I had no idea what Freddie was feeling when he dumped me out of the car. Maybe he was just dying to see Georgina.

Maybe he thought I'd do what I always did. Even if he tossed me aside, I'd come running back, all obedient, and cling to him again.

But no matter what he thought, this time, there was no going back for me. Not ever again.

Reality slapped me in the face again.

When I finally came to, I found myself back by Freddie's side.

But it was like I was invisible to him.

When I checked his watch, it had already been forty-eight hours since he dumped me on the highway.

No matter how much I didn't want to, my mind just kept trailing after Freddie, like I couldn't help myself.

'What the hell is going on?' I thought.

Right now, Freddie parked his car and walked into the club, their usual spot for hanging out with his friends, just like always.

But tonight was different. He was usually the center of attention, everyone treating him like royalty, but this time, nobody rolled out the welcome mat for him.

Everyone there had different looks on their faces, quietly exchanging glances, but not a single person spoke up.

"What's with the weird looks? Did I crash a funeral or something?" Freddie joked.

He said this as he dropped into a seat and casually poured himself a drink.

One of his closest friends, Ryan Reed, finally broke the awkward silence. "No, man, what are you doing here? And your wife, she..."

"Relax, she'll be back in three days, crawling back to me like always," Freddie said, his tone so cocky it was almost begging for a punch.

Normally, his buddies would be all over him, hyping him up, calling him a real man, saying he was lucky, and praising him for keeping his wife in line.

And Freddie always ate that up, whether they meant it or were just putting on a show.

But this time, everyone fell into a strange, uneasy silence.

There were even two girls whose faces turned pale with fear.

Freddie frowned, confused. "What, you don't believe me? Want to bet on it?"

Ryan stared at him, eyes wide with shock and pity. "We... we believe you..."

"Bullshit!" Ryan blurted out.