Chapter 3

As the anesthesia wore off, a dull, pervasive ache in my lower abdomen reminded me:

There was still a tiny life inside me, the culmination of our love.

I hesitated for a long time, finally trembling as I opened my chat with Daniel on SnapChat.

Chloe, give him, give us, one last chance.

[Where are you?]

Daniel picked up his phone:

"Chloe, the case isn't wrapped up yet, so I'll be back in a couple of days. Get some good rest. I'll take you to your prenatal check-up when I return."

His voice was as gentle as ever.

Daniel had a lovely voice.

I used to love listening to him coax me to sleep when I had insomnia.

But now, he was using that gentle voice to lie to me.

I froze.

I didn't reply until the phone screen went dark.

Back then, Daniel would have immediately called me on FaceTime.

He'd call again and again, asking if I was upset or felt wronged until I cheered up.

But now, he naturally put down his phone and handed the porridge to Scarlett.

Scarlett took a few sips and then put it down.

She mumbled, her soft voice tinged with a hint of hesitation: "Are you… do you have a child?"

Daniel didn't answer.

He just put the spoon back in her hand.

"Finish it, then lie down and rest. Scarlett, you're not a child, stop throwing a tantrum here."

Scarlett stubbornly lifted her head, tears welling in her eyes, looking wronged and defiant.

"If it's such a hassle, then just go back to her!"

Daniel's face darkened, his jaw clenched.

During their struggle, the porridge on the table spilled.

Daniel immediately reached out, shielding her with his body.

The movement was practiced and natural, as if he'd done it countless times.

Scarlett grabbed his scalded hand and anxiously blew on it:

"I'm sorry."

The girl's eyes reddened, and tears dripped onto the back of his hand.

As if burned, Daniel instantly pulled his hand back.

"Why are you crying? I'm the one who got burned, not you."

"Don't think a few tears will make me forget everything. Scarlett, I'm not someone who forgets the pain once the wound has healed. When we broke up, I told you, 'If you walk away, don't ever come back. I won't offer my heart to you a second time, just for you to trample on it!'"

The Daniel before me, so out of control, was a stranger.

After all, with me, he was always mature and composed.

Even with the most challenging cases, he was always calm and unruffled.

Scarlett was still crying.

But her sobs grew softer.

Daniel picked up his jacket and silently stood up.

I remembered when we used to argue and give each other the silent treatment.

He always insisted on debating everything logically, needing to win every argument, but he'd never just soothe me with a word.

Back then, I thought he just didn't know how to soften.

But now, the figure paused at the doorway and turned back.

He left, only to come back, tossing a tissue box to Scarlett.

"Don't… cry. Don't worry about the shattered pieces on the floor; the nurse will clean it up. And I'll have someone send some new food."

Scarlett took it, stopping her tears.

"I want the seafood soup you used to make. All these years I've been away, I always miss that taste. Can you make it for me?"

Daniel murmured an "Mhm."

It was soft, but it landed heavily on my heart.