Chapter 2

Caleb's words stung my heart.

The old Caleb would never have spoken to me so harshly.

"Caleb, I'm not feeling well."

"Oh right, you're still pregnant."

With that, he fell into a deep sleep on the bed, completely forgetting that I had fallen earlier that day.

In the past, if I had so much as a scratch, Caleb would have scoured the city for the best doctors to heal my scar.

But now, faced with such a serious matter as a pregnant woman falling and bleeding, he was utterly indifferent, even coming home drunk in the middle of the night.

The contrast between care and neglect became glaringly obvious in an instant.

The next day, Caleb was gone early.

Instead, there was an update on Mia's Twitter.

"A breakfast full of love, thanks to Caleb for cooking so early in the morning."

The picture showed a hearty breakfast with a heart drawn on it.

I had eaten such breakfasts too.

Back when I wasn't yet Caleb's girlfriend.

Meanwhile, a note was left on the bedside table.

"Aria Lawson, trying so hard to share a bed with me? How amusing."

My heart instantly twisted with unbearable pain.

Caleb didn't trust me. He thought last night's shared bed was my elaborate scheme.

But we were supposed to be lovers.

Thinking of this, my heart felt like it was being stabbed. I hastily packed my things and went to class.

My appearance delighted my professor.

"Aria! You're finally here! Are you sure you don't want to reconsider the study abroad opportunity in Italy? You're our department's most outstanding student!"

Since becoming pregnant, I had planned to take a break from school to care for the baby, nearly missing this great opportunity to study abroad.

"Professor, no need to reconsider. I want to go."

"Eh? Weren't you going to take care of your pregnancy? If your body can't handle it, don't force yourself. I just thought it was a shame."

"No, Professor. I had a miscarriage."

Hearing this, the professor didn't ask further, just patted my shoulder.

"If that's the case, it must be God's will. Cherish this opportunity to study abroad."

Just as I left the school, my phone rang. Caleb's car was waiting at the school gate.

"Get in. My mom wants us to have dinner together."

Hearing this, I habitually opened the passenger door, only to see a large bouquet of vibrant red roses on the seat.

Caleb hesitated for a moment, then said, "You sit in the back."

I had thought the flowers were for Caleb's mother, but when we arrived at the family home and saw Mia intimately linking arms with Caleb's mother as they walked out, my heart trembled.

Caleb got out of the car carrying the red roses. Seeing this, Mia's eyes lit up with a smile.

"Caleb, I just mentioned it casually. Did you really run across half the city to buy these for me?"

"If you like them, of course I had to get them."

Mia hugged the roses, her smile radiant and beautiful. She excitedly kissed Caleb's cheek, "Well, thank you then."

Caleb didn't dodge, a hint of indulgence in his smile.

Caleb's mother, Mrs. Foster, also teased, "You rascal, gallivanting abroad for years without coming back to see me."

"Oh come on, I'm back now, aren't I?"

I watched the three of them, so harmonious, feeling increasingly awkward.

Mia seemed to notice me only then, feigning surprise, "Oh my, you must be Caleb's little girlfriend?"

"Don't mind me, Caleb and I grew up together, we're just naturally close."

She was explaining her earlier public display of affection with Caleb, but Mia's eyes were full of mirth.

"Nonsense, nonsense. What little girlfriend? Aria is just the granddaughter of Caleb's grandfather's friend. Our family is taking care of her out of gratitude," Mrs. Foster interjected.

Mrs. Foster didn't know about my relationship with Caleb.

"Besides, Mia, you know Caleb. He's refused to date anyone these past few years no matter how much I've pushed. I always said this stubborn boy was waiting for you."

I instinctively looked at Caleb, desperately hoping he would deny his mother's speculation.

After all, I was supposed to be his girlfriend now.

"Caleb, were you really waiting for me?"