Chapter 2
"The patient is having a difficult delivery. We need a family member to sign the consent form!"
"Her husband went into the delivery room with another expectant mother from the same ward. We can't reach him."
I finally let go of the last shred of hope I had for Charles. I closed my eyes in despair, and a single tear slid down my cheek.
So it was true: he really was by Sophie's side during her delivery.
And he left his own wife all alone.
Barely keeping it together, I told the nurse, "I'll sign for the C-section myself."
After nearly dying on the table, I finally brought my daughter into the world.
When they finally wheeled me back into the room, that's when Charles remembered I even existed.
"Emily, you gave birth? Why didn't anyone tell me?" he said.
I shot him a bitter smile. "I gave birth at noon. It was a rough delivery. I ended up needing a C-section. Tell me, Charles, where were you when I needed you most?"
Charles was visibly uneasy, unable to look me in the eye.
"I really didn't know. Sophie was also having a difficult labor at that exact moment," he said.
"Emily, if you hadn't pushed Sophie and almost put both her and the baby in danger, I would have been right there by your side," he added.
Unbelievable. How could he have the guts to blame me for his own screw-ups?
My heart ached, and all I had left for him was disappointment.
"Charles, when we get out of here, there's something I need to say to you," I said.
Charles's heart skipped a beat, and for some reason, he just knew something bad was about to happen.
"My precious grandson is finally here! Let me see him!" Charles's mom Isabella Bennett burst in, all smiles.
She ignored me completely and headed straight for Sophie.
Charles shot me a quick look, then hurried to stop his mom.
"Mom, you're in the wrong place. Your granddaughter is over here," he said.
Only then did Isabella reluctantly glance at my daughter.
I knew the Bennett Family was all about having sons, but I couldn't care less. My daughter was the only treasure I had in this world.
But Isabella just wouldn't let up, always hanging around my bed and constantly nagging me.
"Emily, you and Charles have been married for years, and all you have is this one daughter. Look at Sophie. she bore a son on her first try," she said.
I held my daughter close, feeding her, and replied calmly, "Too bad she's not your daughter-in-law, and that son of hers isn't your grandson, is he?"
Isabella was left speechless, unable to come up with a comeback.
On the day I was discharged, I came back from a walk with my daughter in my arms, only to find the bed beside mine was empty.
I tried calling Charles, but he didn't answer.
The nurse saw me alone with my baby and just couldn't bring herself to tell me the truth.
"Ms. Shaw, Mr. Bennett checked Ms. Lane out this morning and left with her."
I let out a bitter, self-mocking smile.
When a person's heart had been shattered so many times, all that was left was disappointment piling up, one heartbreak after another.
My eyes were still red as I snuggled my daughter close, my voice trembling. "It's okay, baby girl. Mommy's taking you home now."
I waited for Charles all night, but he never came home.
Instead, I saw Sophie had posted something new on her social media.
[Watching him run around, taking care of me and our son, he's working so hard, my heart goes out to him.]
The photo showed someone preparing baby formula.
I recognized him instantly; it was Charles.
Back when I struggled with insomnia, Charles would always make me a warm glass of milk every night, personally for me.
He used to say that every glass was filled with his love, and as long as I had his love, I'd never lose sleep again.
He still kept up that habit, but then he did it for someone else.
I wiped my tears, and made my way to Sophie's apartment.
I knew her passcode, so I let myself in. The moment I stepped inside, I heard Sophie's voice, sickly sweet and full of fake innocence.
"Charles, my chest feels so swollen and uncomfortable. Can you help me, please?"
Sophie pulled Charles's hand to her chest, acting all coy and pouty, but she still threw me a defiant, taunting look.
"Guess I'm crashing your little lovefest," I said, my voice icy.
Charles whipped around, panic written all over his face. "Emily, it's not what it looks like."
I dodged his touch, refusing to let him get close.
"Charles, let's get a divorce," I said.
Charles's face went pale in an instant.
Sophie looked like she'd just won the lottery, absolutely thrilled.
I turned to leave, but Charles came running after me and grabbed my arm.