Chapter 1
When I got pregnant for the third time, my boyfriend, Carlos Herrera, didn't make me have an abortion again.
He spent all our joint savings to buy a diamond ring and organized a grand proposal for me.
On the weekend, I went to the obstetrics department alone for a check-up. A girl waiting in line next to me struck up a conversation.
She said, "I was in a car accident before, and my ovaries got messed up. I've tried everything, but nothing worked. The doctor told me I can't have kids anymore.
"Luckily, my husband really cares about me. He knows I love kids and said he'd adopt one for me."
My heart ached for what she had gone through, and I shared some post-accident recovery tips with her.
After all, Carlos had survived a near-fatal car accident once before.
She continued, "The day of the accident, my husband thought he would die. He even recorded a farewell video for me."
The girl's eyes turned red as she spoke, and she opened the video to show me.
The second the video started, I recognized it.
It was exactly the farewell video Carlos had sent me on the day of his car accident.
*****
Carlos's face was bloodied and messy, but his eyes held nothing but deep attachment and affection.
"Honey, I hope I can meet you again in the next life," he said.
Carlos never called me "honey."
Only when he was totally drunk would he grab my hand and say, "Honey, I miss you so much."
Back then, it hit me so hard I almost cried.
But it turned out that the "honey" in his mouth wasn't me at all.
"Honey, something came up at work, but I took a leave and rushed over. So, what did the doctor say?" Carlos's familiar voice cut through the air.
I looked up and locked eyes with him, catching the anxious look on his face.
His amber eyes flashed with shock, and for a moment, he froze in place.
Carlos, so who was your "honey" now?
"Honey, you're here," the girl next to me called out.
She jumped up from the hospital bench and clung to Carlos's arm, all sweet and cozy.
I watched this scene with a bitter smile.
Carlos had clearly told me he disliked public displays of affection and wouldn't let me hold his hand outside.
"See? This is my husband. The one in the farewell video. Isn't he handsome?" the girl said with a smile, showing him off.
She snuggled up to Carlos's shoulder.
I nodded, catching Carlos's warning look, and I said, "Carlos, what a coincidence seeing you here.
"Why don't you introduce us?"
The girl's eyes went wide in surprise when she realized we knew each other.
Carlos had no choice but to introduce us.
He said, "This is Cora Herrera, my wife.
"And this is Brynn Overton."
Cora flashed a sweet smile.
She said, "Brynn it is, then. So you already know my husband?
"Brynn, don't get any ideas because he's hot, okay? Just kidding."
I held back the tears threatening to spill and let out a dry, sarcastic laugh.
"Carlos, so you're married? That's news to me," I said.
Carlos shot me a look, clearly wanting me to shut up.
I didn't let him get a word in.
"Forget it, I've got stuff to do. I'm out," I said.
Carlos let out a sigh of relief.
I turned to leave, but Cora grabbed my wrist.
"Brynn, what a coincidence. Why don't we exchange WhatsApp contacts?" she said.
I forced a smile.
"Sorry, my phone's dead," I said.
That day, I practically ran out of there.
As soon as I got home, I saw Carlos had forwarded me Cora's WhatsApp profile.
He sent me a message: [Cora wants to add you. Go ahead and add her yourself.
[I'll explain everything when I get back. Don't throw a tantrum like a child, okay?]