Chapter 1
It was already past midnight when Dave returned home.
After washing up, he lay down on the other side of the bed. I heard his phone buzzing incessantly.
The light from his phone flickered in front of my eyes, perhaps checking if I was asleep.
He pulled me into his arms, his hand gently caressing my belly.
“Mr. Brooks, why don’t you ever stay with me? Isn’t sleeping in my arms more comfortable than cuddling that frump?”
Dave chuckled softly, “Her health isn’t good, and she’s carrying my child. Of course I need to be with her.”
“If you want me to stay with you… why don’t you give me a child too?”
There he was, brazenly flirting with his secretary right next to me.
I wondered if for a long time before, he had done the same thing – holding me while whispering sweet nothings to
someone else.
Suddenly, I felt nauseous. Once the feeling hit, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I leaned over the edge of the bed and
started retching.
Dave quickly sat up to pat my back. From his phone’s speaker, the secretary’s coquettish voice continued. “Well, next time, Mr. Brooks, you’ll have to try harder. I’ll do my best to give you a chubby little boy…”
After rinsing my mouth, I sat on the bed, staring at Dave.
The dim light from the bedside lamp blurred his features, making it hard to read his expression.
Was he feeling guilty now, or self–righteous?
I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to know.
“I…” Dave began, attempting to explain.
I calmly said, “You know my health is poor. The doctor said pregnancy could cost me half my life.”
“Since you’ve already found someone who can bear your children, why don’t we… . just abort this one?”
As I finished speaking, I felt a lump in my throat.
This was my child too, already five months along in my womb.
I talked to him every day, shared music with him…
We had so many beautiful moments. Each day before this, I looked forward to meeting him, praying he would be healthy.
But… I don’t want him to live in a loveless family, to have an unfaithful father.
I don’t know if I’ll survive the surgery. If I don’t make it off the operating table, will he be bullied later in life?
Will Dave’s new wife mistreat him?
What if Dave has new children? Will he even remember this one?
Since I can’t guarantee his future, perhaps it’s better to let him be reborn into a happier family.
