Chapter 3

Looking around the house that once held so much promise, it suddenly felt foreign. This was never my home.

That night, I tossed and turned in the messy apartment, unable to sleep.

That year, Julian worked six jobs a day, just to get us out of that dark, dismal basement.

Now, we could afford the most luxurious homes, but some things could never be bought back.

For ten whole years, I'd been used to revolving my entire life around him, giving him everything I had.

And now, it was time to let go.

Tears streaming down my face, I burned all our photos. All the keepsakes holding our memories went into the trash too.

I pulled out my phone and booked an abortion for the next day.

But in the hospital hallway, I ran into Julian and Chloe.

Unlike before, there was no hysteria this time. I pretended not to see them, not caring why they were there.

Julian walked over, sneering. "Didn't we agree it was over? What's this? Stalking me now?"

"You flatter yourself." I didn’t bother to look up.

"Stella, just say the word, beg me, and I'll come back."

A cold laughter burst out of me at his nonchalant expression. Those words. He'd said the exact same thing five years ago, the day I caught him.

The day I caught Julian cheating was my birthday, and also the day I had my first miscarriage.

I had hidden the ultrasound photo inside a gift box. I'd booked a hotel room, decorated it with care, dreaming of a perfect surprise. But when I opened the door to our floor, I saw him with another woman, heading into the room next door.

In that moment, I charged forward like a madwoman. I grabbed her hair, slapping her hard several times. Then I repeatedly punched Julian's chest, breaking down in tears.

"Why?! Why are you doing this to me?!"

He frowned, pushing me away. "Enough! Acting like a lunatic, aren't you ashamed?"

"Can you stop being so dramatic?"

"What successful man doesn't have a few women on the side?"

He wanted me to kneel and beg him. Looking at his cold face, I panicked completely.

I was so insecure, terrified of losing him, and even more terrified of my child growing up without a father.

In the end, I spoke in a hushed, pleading voice. "I'm pregnant..."

"Just cut ties with her, and I can pretend none of this ever happened."

A sinister flicker crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by a gentle expression.

He helped me back home, doting on me, preparing nutritious meals. But that night, without any warning, I miscarried.

We both thought it was because I was too weak, compounded by extreme emotional distress.

He held me tight, kneeling on the floor, crying as he apologized. "I'm so sorry, Stella, it's all my fault..."

"I've already ended things with her."

"I swear, I'll only ever be good to you, never again."

I was so stupid to believe him. Thinking back, that woman was Chloe all along! For five years, they were never truly apart!

The hospital announcement called my name, pulling me from my memories. I turned to leave, Julian's disdainful voice trailing behind me.

"Let's see how long you can keep up that tough act!"

I swallowed all my tears and lay on the operating table. I wondered if the baby would have looked like me. But now, there was nothing...

When I walked out of the hospital, my face was utterly devoid of color. I opened my phone, and a car surveillance video popped up.