Chapter 4
I took the money and said, "Okay." Right then, I was honestly relieved I'd ended the pregnancy.
If I hadn't, I'd be divorced, kicked out by the Carter family, jobless, with no family or friends, left with a growing belly, drowning in all that nasty gossip. How was I supposed to survive that?
As soon as Thomas left, I moved out.
I had already found a place when I left Krufbert University.
It was a small house with a tiny yard, but it was more than enough for me.
I threw myself into my studies, and as expected, I got into Professor Shaw's lab.
James said I'd have to start as an assistant again.
"That's only fair," I replied. I stayed humble, and both Professor Shaw and James were pleased with me.
James said, "Keep it up! With your smarts and quick thinking, I bet you'll be a full researcher in less than six months. When that happens, I'll take you out to the Northwest Research Facility.
"It's the biggest military research base in the country, the dream destination for every scientist."
That long-dormant fire in my chest was finally reignited. I'd found my dream again.
*****
Days went by, one after another.
Eva's belly grew bigger with each passing day, and one could see the gloom settling over her.
Thomas started treating her like she was made of glass, fussing over her every little need.
On the day I officially became a researcher, Professor Shaw helped me submit my security clearance. Once it was approved, I'd be heading to the Northwest Research Facility with him.
"There's one last document that needs your ex-husband's signature," James said.
He looked a bit awkward. "If my wife wasn't about to give birth, I'd be the one going this time."
I shook my head with a smile. "James, this is my shot. I should've gone three years ago, you know."
James shrugged and handed me the paperwork. "Who knows how long you'll be gone. If you've got anything you want to clear the air with Thomas, now's your chance. Honestly, I don't think he's totally over you."
I smiled and didn't reply.
Feelings didn't matter anymore. But I really did need to clear things up about the baby.
Meanwhile, Eva was crossing off another day on the calendar.
"Thomas, we've only got one month left—" she said, her voice trailing off.
She was smiling, but tears slipped down her cheeks like tiny drops.
Looking at all those Xs on the calendar, Thomas, usually so calm, felt something stir inside him, like emotions bubbling up beneath the surface.
After these days together, thanks to Eva's subtle influence, he started to treasure these last carefree days they could spend together.
"Eva, I'm sorry," Thomas said softly.
Eva threw herself into his arms, crying her heart out.
For the first time, Thomas didn't push her away. Instead, he gave her a comforting pat on the back.
Just when things were getting all warm and fuzzy, someone had to barge in and spoil the mood.
As soon as Eva heard the assistant's report, the tears she'd just stopped started pouring down again.
Eva said, "Is Nina really that eager to get back with you?"
For some reason, Thomas felt a sudden annoyance. He gave Eva a gentle pat on the back. "I'll be right back," he said.
I didn't have to wait long, just about half an hour, before Thomas finally showed up.
He was wearing a light spring trench coat, and as someone who'd studied abroad, his fashion sense was so cutting-edge that no one back home could ever hope to catch up.
Thomas had his Deacon's rugged handsomeness and Pauline's gentle elegance. Just standing there, he was the kind of man who seemed carved from diamond, truly one in a million.
Honestly, it was no wonder I used to be so into him.
I walked up to Thomas, and he glanced at the papers in my hand, his brows furrowing in annoyance.
Thomas said, "I told you, we shouldn't meet until Eva has the baby. Couldn't you wait a little longer?"
I froze for a second.
Honestly, I'd been racking my brain for some believable excuse about why my stomach was so flat.
Should I say I lost the baby in an accident, or claim it was a miscarriage? Which would make them swallow it more easily?
But it seemed that Thomas didn't even look at my stomach. He didn't notice a thing. He was on guard, worried I'd come begging to get back together.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" Thomas asked, his frown deepening.
"Sorry," I said.
I cleared my throat, pulled myself together, and handed him the papers.
"I got a new job, and they're doing a background check. I need you to sign this," I said.
"Background check?" Thomas repeated. He was surprised I was not asking to get back together.
Thomas was utterly embarrassed, looking like he wanted to apologize but couldn't bring himself to say it.
I couldn't care less. I kept my mouth shut, waiting for him to sign so I could leave.
The documents had plenty of details. If he'd bothered to actually look, he'd see I was leaving, with no idea when I'd be back.
I wondered what he'd think if he actually noticed.
But as it turned out—
Thomas realized his mind was a mess. He couldn't sort out his feelings, so he barely skimmed the papers, flipped through them, and scribbled his name at the end.
Watching him so absent-minded, I couldn't help but laugh again. I really couldn't hold it in.
How stupid was I to ever think he'd care about my business?
"You look pretty happy today. So, you really like your new job, huh?" Thomas asked.
He returned the papers, and the awkwardness from earlier had melted away.
His expression was soft and welcoming, just like the first time I ever met him.
I smiled, my eyes lighting up. "Yeah, I really do."
Thomas smiled faintly. It had been ages since he'd seen me smile like that, and unexpectedly, it stirred something inside him.
"Have you been doing alright lately?" he asked.
His gaze grew deeper, a glimmer of warmth in his eyes.
I smiled and said, "Yeah, I'm doing pretty well."
The sunlight was shining in my eyes as he looked down at me.
He swallowed, and almost without thinking, raised his hand.
I didn't flinch, just smiled at him. "Professor Carter, we're not husband and wife anymore."
Thomas's hand froze mid-air, his fingertips mere inches from me, but he couldn't bring himself to cross that last bit of distance.
"Thomas!" Eva called out.
She always had a knack for showing up right when things got awkward.
Her belly was huge, but she still managed to carry herself with grace.
Thomas shoved his hand back into his pocket, doing his best to pretend nothing had happened.
"Thomas, are you ready to go? We promised to go shopping for the baby today," Eva said.
Eva latched onto his arm, marking her territory.
For the first time, I saw that Thomas didn't even pull back. It seemed like after these few months, they really looked like husband and wife now.
I took the hint. "I'll leave you two alone then. Bye," I said.
I had only taken a couple of steps when I suddenly turned back.
"Hey, Professor Carter, are you free on the fifteenth?" I asked.
That was my birthday, and also the day I'd be leaving for good.
We'd been husband and wife once, but after this, we'd probably never see each other again. I had always believed in parting on good terms.
"Yeah, I'm free," Thomas replied.
Some of that pent-up frustration in his chest seemed to melt away, like a breath of fresh spring air.
"Then why don't you come over for dinner that night?" I said.
It'd be our last meal together. I hoped he'd actually come.
"Okay," Thomas replied. He actually looked a bit lighter, almost happy.
Eva, on the other hand, was anything but happy.
She glared at my back, and suddenly, her eyes went wide in shock. She noticed my stomach.