Chapter 5
Our baby finally pulled through the critical stage, and the doctor told us he could be discharged this afternoon, at last, we could bring him home.
That morning, Edward was in the walk-in closet, picking out a suit for work.
He turned to me with a gentle smile I hadn't seen in ages, as if last night's drama had never happened.
"Laurie, it's been tough on you lately," he said.
"I've canceled all my meetings this afternoon so I can pick up our baby myself.
"I've also booked a premium anti-mite service for the baby's room. From now on, it'll be the three of us, living happily."
He was trying to gloss over the chaos at home with this picture-perfect fantasy.
I didn't say anything. I quietly put the divorce papers back on the coffee table, right where he couldn't miss them.
At two in the afternoon, the sky suddenly opened up, pouring down rain and the temperature dropped sharply.
I was in the hospital lobby, holding our baby, who had come out of the incubator and was still so fragile.
Staring at the downpour outside, I dialed Edward's number.
Once, twice, thirteen times.
But all I got was the cold, automated voice saying the number couldn't be reached.
The hospital lobby was bustling with people, and every time the doors opened, a cold draft swept in.
The baby in my arms was so cold, his little face started turning blue.
He spat up milk in pain, and his tiny body twitched with mild convulsions.
I was shaking all over, so weak from giving birth that I could barely hold him.
I took off my hospital gown and desperately wrapped it around the baby.
I lunged forward and grabbed a passing nurse, begging for help.
The nurse rushed the baby back to the ER to get oxygen.
Under the harsh, pale lights of the hallway, I stared at the closed doors of the ER.
Any last bit of hope I had for our marriage shattered completely inside me.
I pulled out my phone and called Edward's assistant.
In a voice that was calm but left no room for argument, I pressed the assistant hard, demanding to know exactly where Edward was.
The assistant hesitated, stumbling over his words, but in the end, he caved under my pressure and gave me an address.
Once the baby's condition had stabilized a bit, I asked the nurse to keep an eye on him for a while.
Then I grabbed a cab and headed straight for that address.
It was the priciest pet bakery in the city.
Through the rain-streaked window, I saw a scene that made my blood boil.
Edward was dressed in that custom suit he'd picked out so carefully that morning.
He was crouched down, patiently drying off a brand-new golden retriever puppy with a towel.
Stella was sitting nearby in a VIP chair, her smile serene and gentle.
Edward stood up and took off his suit jacket, the one that still carried my warmth.
He draped it gently over Stella's shoulders, and the two of them smiled like a couple living in perfect harmony.
Then, my phone finally buzzed. It was Edward calling.
I answered, and in the background, I could hear the puppy yipping happily.
His voice was as gentle as ever, with that casual, almost routine apology.
He said, "Laurie, the rain's coming down hard.
"Stel's been having nightmares about the guide dog, so I had someone find her a puppy like it.
"It took a bit longer to calm her down, so hang tight at the hospital a bit longer.
"I'll come pick you and the baby up soon. Don't be difficult, okay?"
Through the rain-soaked glass, I watched his gentle silhouette inside the shop.
I said into the phone, keeping my voice steady.
I said, "No need, Edward.
"You never have to come for us again, not in this lifetime."
I hung up, pulled out my SIM card, snapped it in half, and tossed it into the dirty rainwater swirling in the gutter.
I went back to the hospital and cradled my baby, bundled up tight in a soft blanket.
Then I boarded the high-speed train, leaving for the neighboring city.