Chapter 2
I spent the whole day at the hospital, getting all sorts of tests done, discussing the details of the procedure with the doctor, and scheduling the abortion.
The procedure was set for two days later.
After everything was scheduled, I left the hospital and headed straight to the office to hand in my resignation.
The company was founded by Don and me right after we graduated from college. Later, when Elaine saw the business was really taking off, she got herself a piece of the action and became a shareholder.
I used to be the project manager, but I stepped down from management six months ago when I got pregnant. Now, I was just a nobody, barely even noticed around the office.
Most of the new hires didn't even know who I was.
Elaine, on the other hand, quietly took over my old position and was now calling the shots, wielding real power in the company.
I thought Don wouldn't be at the office, but just as I handed my resignation to HR, he showed up out of nowhere behind me and pulled me close by the waist.
"Have they been giving you too much work lately? Are you exhausted?" Don asked.
Our relationship had always been kept under wraps at work, so seeing him get all touchy-feely in front of everyone was a real surprise.
Back then, I would've been secretly thrilled.
But now, all I felt was this weird sense of discomfort, maybe even a little disgust.
I stepped back, putting some space between us, and replied coolly, "Yeah, I just need a break for a while."
Seeing how cold I was, Don's face grew even more eager to please.
He grabbed my resignation letter off the desk and said, "Why don't we talk in my office?"
Everyone was staring, so I just had to go along with him.
As soon as I left, the office started buzzing with gossip.
"Isn't Mr. Parkinson already married to Elaine Parkinson from the project department?" someone whispered.
"I heard Elaine's not in good health and can't have kids. Maybe Tilda's baby is actually Mr. Parkinson's. I've been here a year, and I've never seen Tilda's husband," another person chimed in.
"She's so pretty, and she turns out to be a mistress? Does Elaine even know?" someone else asked.
"That's exactly why she's the mistress. She's gorgeous. Elaine probably knows, but she's just turning a blind eye for the sake of the baby," someone else guessed.
"Poor Elaine..." someone sighed.
Rumors about the three of us had always been flying around the office, but I never paid them any mind because I trusted Don.
I never realized that by letting it slide, everyone just assumed I was okay with it.
In the office, Don tried to pull me into a hug.
I gently pushed him away. "Watch it, this is the office. People are watching."
Don pouted, looking a little hurt. "Babe, you still won't make it official between us in front of everyone?"
He was flipping the script on me.
He was always the one saying it would look bad and telling me to keep our relationship a secret.
When I stayed silent, Don twined his finger with mine and gave it a gentle shake. "I messed up today. Next time, I'll go with you to your doctor's appointment, okay?"
I shook my head.
"Don't bother," I said.
In two days, I'd be having an abortion. There wouldn't even be a baby left. A checkup would no longer be needed.
To everyone else, his word was law. Don was always composed, never showing a hint of emotion. He only ever let me see his gentle, almost puppy-like side.
I used to feel secretly pleased about that, but now it just felt ironic. I wondered if he would act all soft and sweet with Elaine as well when I was not around.
Don pulled out two lock pendants from the drawer, one big and one small. "These are for you and the baby. Hope you like them."
I didn't take them. "Just put them there," I said, keeping my voice steady.
Noticing my lack of response, he looked a bit uneasy.
He said softly, "Tilda, don't be upset. It's not good for you or the little one.
"If you're really mad, you can hit me if it helps. Seeing you so upset really breaks my heart."
After loving each other for so long, I could always tell when he was being genuine.
I felt that he probably loved me.
But he cared about Elaine just as much. He couldn't give her up for me, and he couldn't let me go for her either. Trying to keep both of us happy just meant he would end up hurting both women.
Honestly, it was not easy for him either.
When I stayed silent for a long time, Don looked even more uneasy. "I promise, from now on, I'll put you first."
He didn't even finish before his phone rang sharply, cutting him off.
He picked up his phone and gave me a quick glance.
He hesitated for a few seconds, but in the end, he left.
I took a deep breath, tossed the two lock pendants into the trash, forced myself to stay calm, and brought my resignation letter back to HR.
But the HR rep didn't dare make the call. "Tilda, maybe you should talk it over with Mr. Parkinson one more time."
Seeing my sour expression, he muttered, "When the bosses clash, I just hope us regular folks don't get caught in the crossfire. It's tough enough just trying to make a living..."
I suddenly found it kind of ironic.
Half this company was mine, but nobody here saw me that way.
To them, I was just a pretty little thing, a canary in a gilded cage, using my looks and my pregnancy to get ahead, chasing after things that were never meant for me.
Just as I was leaving, I caught Don and Elaine wrapped up in each other's arms down in the lobby, exactly what I'd expected.