Chapter 2

Something stupid? Claire?

Three months had passed, but I still couldn't spot any real sadness on her face. What I did notice was the way she stared at David, like she was completely in love, her eyes following him every chance she got.

Please. With her drama, as if she'd ever actually do anything stupid.

My face went cold as I pulled David over to me. "You've already compensated her. Even if she's our neighbor now, there's a line to how much you should get involved.

"If she's really so heartbroken, she should see a therapist instead of clinging to you for everything."

"Emily, how can you say that? Claire's been through so much losing Jacob," David said, his voice full of concern.

"Since we're partly responsible, isn't it right for me to give her some support?" he shot back, sounding defensive.

Some support? Really?

Something told me Claire's after way more than that.

"David, are you really just giving her some support?" I shot back, unable to hide the edge in my voice.

David stiffened, his expression turning icy. "Emily, what are you getting at? Claire lost her child. Why do you have to be so hard on her?"

"I'm being hard on her?" I retorted, feeling both hurt and frustrated.

As we started arguing, I caught a glimmer of triumph flickering in Claire's eyes, like she'd been waiting for this moment.

Maybe she caught the cold glare I gave her, because the very next second, she burst into dramatic sobs.

"Dave, it's all my fault. I shouldn't cling to you like this, but I'm just so crushed. Jacob was so young," Claire whimpered between fake sobs.

"After my husband died, it was just me and Jacob. Just thinking about him lying all alone in that cold grave... I just can't take it," she sobbed, dialing up the pity party.

"Claire, don't cry. I'll go with you to see him, alright?" David said, not even sparing me a glance.

With that, he wrapped his arm around Claire and headed downstairs, as if I was invisible, just leaving me standing there.

As they started down the stairs, Claire glanced back at me, a smug little smile tugging at her lips, like she'd just won some twisted game.

Knew it. Claire was no angel. She was a real piece of work.

After they left, I headed to the hospital alone for my check-up. Just as I expected, I was two months pregnant.

I placed my hand on my belly, feeling totally conflicted. Should I really keep this baby or not?

Sitting by myself in the hallway, for the first time, I honestly had no idea what to do.

All these years with David, bit by bit, I lost everything.

The first time I took him to meet my parents, they flat out refused to let us be together. I blew up at them, and despite their protests, I defied them and married him anyway.

On the day of our wedding, my parents didn't show. And what was supposed to be a beautiful celebration turned into a disaster, nothing but pain and heartbreak.

After we got married, David promised he'd support my dreams, so I quit my job to chase a career online as a full-time content creator.

But soon enough, I was drifting further and further from my old coworkers, and before I knew it, I'd ended up losing a whole bunch of friends.

And now, it felt like I might be losing David too.

I've never felt time crawl by so painfully. I sat alone in that hospital for hours, but I just couldn't bring myself to make such a cruel decision to give up our baby.

After everything David and I have been through, I kept telling myself I should trust him.

Maybe he just hadn't seen through all of Claire's little games yet.

I decided to head home and have a heart-to-heart with him.

But when I got home, I didn't find him.

It was obvious David hadn't even bothered to come home.

I let out a self-mocking laugh. Seriously, what was I even hoping to find the moment I pushed that door open?

Honestly, hadn't it always been like this since we got married?

I was the one doing all the chores, and as for him, whether he was home or not, it was nothing but work on repeat. That was all he cared about.

He always claimed he was hustling for our future.

But in reality, he always found time to be there for Claire.

When I thought about all this, the tears just wouldn't stop, one after another, falling down my cheeks.

God, I was so pathetic. Didn't I swear to my parents that David loved me? That he'd always cherish me and we'd grow old together?

But now... how did those promises become so empty and ironic?

David stumbled in late that night, his clothes smelling of booze.

And to make things worse, that perfume the fake-innocent Claire always wore clung stubbornly to him.

I frowned, guiding him over to the couch.

David slurred, "Claire, could you get me a glass of water?"

My hand froze, and my mind went completely blank.

"Claire?" David mumbled, his voice slurred.

His eyes fluttered open, bleary and confused at first, but as he realized what he'd just said, they widened in panic.

"Emily, don't get the wrong idea, I..." he stammered, his voice trailing off.

"I..." he tried again, but the words just wouldn't come.

I handed him the water, stone-faced. "You don't have to explain. I get it."

"Claire was so devastated that you just had to drink with her, huh?" I said dryly.

"Emily, yeah, I did have a few drinks with Claire. But I swear, nothing happened," David blurted, sounding kinda desperate.

"Emily, I've always only cared about you," he pleaded, panic flickering in his eyes.

"Yeah, whatever. I know," I replied, unfeeling.

"Drink your water and get some rest," I said flatly, turning my back on him without another word.

I held back my tears, but the second I stepped into the bedroom, I knew deep down that my decision about the baby was final.

Not even hesitating, I scheduled the abortion for a week from now.

This so-called love had passed its expiry date. All that remained was broken. It was better to let go than cling to the pieces.