Chapter 3

I was drowning in sleepless nights over the loss of a life, while Ryan was consumed with joy, preparing to welcome a new one.

He booked Louisa a high-end maternity care and accompanied her through shopping malls, carefully picking out baby clothes and supplies.

Of course, he'd also grab something for our baby while he was at it.

After Louisa gave birth safely, Ryan held the baby, who looked strikingly like her ex-husband, and something finally jolted him awake.

He just left Louisa behind at the postpartum care center and hurried back home.

He held me close and confessed, apologizing for neglecting me during those days.

Now that Louisa and her baby were both safe, Ryan felt he'd done his duty as a friend. He said that from now on, he could finally focus on our child and me.

Ryan gently stroked my belly, looking at me with pure affection in his eyes.

He said, "What do you think our baby will be, a boy or a girl? I kind of hope it's a boy, so the two of us can look after you."

I just gave Ryan a cold stare, watching him get all mushy about being a dad, and didn't say a word.

He finally sensed something was wrong, his hand lingering over my flat belly.

"It's been three months. Why isn't there any sign?" His eyes went wide with panic.

I let out a cold laugh. "Didn't you pay for the abortion yourself? Over 3 thousand dollars. Have you forgotten already?"

I shoved his hand away and whispered each word clearly in his ear, "You were the one who killed our child."

Ryan suddenly went pale. "Is the baby gone?"

He couldn't believe I would actually let go of a baby we'd struggled so much to have.

His eyes reddened, his body trembling. "Vera, you're lying, aren't you?"

I didn't answer him. I just looked at him.

"Why? Just because I neglected you for a while? Vera, don't you think you're being selfish and cruel?" Ryan stood up, his accusations spiraling out of control.

He rubbed his forehead, pacing back and forth in the living room, clearly on edge.

I knew he was doing this to distract himself from guilt. I'd been there before.

After he finished venting, he buried his face in his hands and sobbed, "We listened to our baby's heartbeat. How could you go through with it?"

I watched him fall apart, putting on this act of a grieving father, and all I felt was ridicule.

If he hadn't been in such a rush to see Louisa that day, and if he had spared one glance at the payment receipt, he wouldn't be so shocked.

I said indifferently, "Why wouldn't I? I don't love his father anymore. Of course, I don't love the child either."

Ryan was stunned. It finally dawned on him that it wasn't just the child he was losing, but me as well.

He clung to my leg, his voice pleading. "Vera, I know this is all my fault. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have ignored you right after you got pregnant."

I ignored him and continued, "Ryan, you know what? I always thought love disappeared slowly, but it turns out it only takes a single moment."

He looked up at me, confused. "What moment?"

I said, "You couldn't bear to let her suffer with you. If she had been the one moving with you in that rain two years ago, would you really have rented that beat-up bicycle?"

As soon as I said it, he slumped to the ground, totally defeated.

He mumbled, "You heard everything."

I didn't say another word. Whatever answer Ryan had didn't matter to me anymore.

The heavy silence in the room was broken by the ring of Ryan's phone.

He glanced at the screen. It was Louisa.

Looking guilty, Ryan flipped the phone face down on the coffee table, only for me to snatch it away.

I swiped to answer, and Louisa's sobbing voice came through the phone.

She said, "Ryan, come back. The baby just threw up. The nanny doesn't know what to do either. I'm really scared. Where are you?"

Louisa's crying sounded soft and fragile, the kind that easily made people feel sorry for her.

I gave Ryan a sarcastic look. "Go on, don't keep Ms. Barnes waiting."

The moment Louisa heard my voice, she stopped sobbing.

I handed the phone to Ryan, crossed my arms, and just stood there, ready to watch their show.

"Call a doctor. I've done all I could for you. Don't call me again." Ryan ended the call coldly, not giving Louisa a chance to respond.

It seemed that if Louisa had said even one more word, he would probably have dropped everything and rushed straight to her.

Ryan put his phone away and looked at me, trying to please me.

I gave him a faint smile. "Go ahead and sign it. I've put up with this long enough. I'm done."

Under his hopeful gaze, I tossed the divorce papers onto the coffee table.

Ryan's face darkened instantly, as though the words "divorce agreement" burned his eyes.

Without even glancing at them, he angrily ripped the papers to shreds.

I shrugged. "Go ahead. There are plenty more copies in your study."

Seeing the resolve in my eyes, Ryan totally freaked out.

He grabbed my hand, almost pleading. "Vera, I love you. I never wanted a divorce. Trust me, there's nothing between Louisa and me. I just wanted closure with my past."