Chapter 3

The next morning, I went to the office to submit my resignation letter.

The HR manager looked shocked.

"Ms. Bennett, why are you suddenly resigning? Does Connor know?"

"I'll tell him myself." I slid the letter across the desk.

"According to my contract, I have a one-month transition period."

"I... I need to check with Connor first."

"No need."

The office door swung open.

The secretary strutted in wearing high heels, clutching a report in her hand.

She looked at me, a smile on her lips but contempt in her eyes.

"Iris is resigning?" She slapped the report on the desk.

"Is it because of this?"

I looked down. It was the mixed-up test report.

On the last page, a line of small print had been circled in red pen:

[HIV preliminary screening: Positive.]

The HR manager gasped.

Outside the office, a crowd had gathered, whispering:

"Ms. Bennett has HIV?"

"She always acted so proper..."

"I literally ate lunch with her today. Could I get infected?"

I looked up at the secretary .

"This isn't my test report."

"It's not?" She raised an eyebrow.

"But it clearly has your name on it."

"The nurse made a mistake. If you don't believe me, call the clinic."

The secretary smiled.

"Then why are you resigning? Is it because you got this dirty disease and you're too ashamed to stay? Are you quitting to go get treatment?"

Connor burst into the room.

He saw the report on the desk. His face turned gray.

"Iris!" He pointed at me, his voice shaking.

"What the hell is this?!"

I said nothing.

The secretary clung to his arm, her voice soft.

"Connor, don't be upset. Maybe Iris went to a dirty public bathhouse or something..."

"A bathhouse?"

Connor shoved her aside, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at me.

"This is a dirty disease! Only people who sleep around get it!"

Silence fell over the room. Everyone stared at us.

I looked at Connor. This man I'd loved for ten years.

The disgust and fear in his eyes were so real, so piercing.

"I didn't sleep around."

I said.

"Then how did you get this disease?!" He roared.

"You think I'm an idiot?!"

The secretary spoke softly.

"Connor, I looked it up. Iris doesn't have symptoms yet, so it must be early-stage infection. Maybe one or two months..."

Connor froze, then visibly relaxed.

"One month..." He muttered.

"Thank God I haven't touched you in months..."

I laughed.

"So," I looked at Connor,

"you actually believe I have HIV?"

"The evidence is right here!" He jabbed at the report. "You still gonna deny it?!"

"Then what if I told you," I said slowly,

"that I'm pregnant?"

The office erupted.

"Pregnant?!"

"Ms. Bennett is pregnant?!"

"Then the baby..."

Connor's face went completely dark.

"Bullshit!" He screamed.

"How long has it been since I touched you?! Whose asshole are you carrying?!"

The secretary looked stunned, but quickly recovered.

"Iris, even if you want to keep Connor, you can't make up lies like this..."

"I'm not lying." I touched my stomach.

"I just found out yesterday, I am pregnant."

"That night Connor got drunk..."