Chapter 4
I searched the whole house but couldn't find him.
I couldn't find him, so I called him.
The phone rang for ages before he finally picked up.
I was a little pissed, but I held it in.
"Are you home yet?" I asked.
"Let's break up." he said.
We both spoke at the same time.
I was shocked and asked, "What did you say?"
He said slowly, "Let's break up."
I was still in disbelief. "Break up?"
"Yeah," he repeated.
It felt like an arrow pierced my heart.
I couldn't believe it, but I had to face reality.
I took a deep breath, trying to hold myself together.
"What about the baby?" I asked.
"Whatever. If you don't want it, abort it. If you do, take it. If you raise it, I'll pay. If not, give it to me, and I won't ask for anything," he said calmly.
He sounded so nonchalant, like it was no big deal at all.
Every word he said stabbed my heart like a knife.
"Why?" I wondered, my voice barely above a whisper.
"No why, I'm just tired," he said.
Sometimes you laugh without knowing why.
I just laughed.
"Tired?" I repeated, still in disbelief.
His voice came through the phone, steady and sure.
"You have a bad temper and get upset easily. You're hard to deal with, and I'm tired, even of myself. I can't keep trying to cheer you up every day," he finally snapped.
Guess that's the real reason.
He was right. I had a bad temper and was hard to handle, even for myself.
Maybe even if that girl hadn't shown up, we were never going to make it to the end anyway.
With tears streaming down my face, I let out a bitter laugh and said, "Fine, let's break up."
Thomas paused, then asked, "What's your plan for the baby?"
"I'll handle the baby," I shot back.
My answer was intentionally vague.
I didn't want him to know I was keeping the baby or the kid to hear me say I'd get rid of it.
He likely assumed I would abort the baby.
He began, "Abortion takes a toll. I have 20 thousand dollars now and will send another 20 thousand after my next project."
I bitterly laughed.
"Sure," I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
What else could I say?
I had to admit, he was being generous.
The procedure cost a few thousand, but he gave me 30 grand, much better than those who make girlfriends pay.
Thomas took a deep breath to steady himself, then spoke calmly.
"I'm having trouble getting around, so I can't be there for you. I'll hire a maternity nanny to help."
"Don't bother, I'll hire one myself," I shot back.