Chapter 2

Brittany was gone for three years.

For three whole years.

She wasn’t allowed to return to Metropolis, forced by Mr. and Mrs. Hayes to stay abroad.

She was blocked from all news regarding me, yet she still managed to find out my situation.

Brittany wouldn’t let me live a carefree life.

Because, in her eyes.

Julian was hers.

Listening to that voice message, I still found it laughable.

Laughing at my own foolishness, and at my misplaced sincerity.

In the midst of the lively night sky outside my window, the phone in my hand suddenly rang.

My heart leaped. Seeing the caller ID, my nose stung, and I pressed answer.

It was Julian.

Julian’s end was noisy; his voice sounded cheerful, happy.

He asked me.

“Where are you?”

“Brittany’s back, why aren’t you here?”

“As my wife, aren’t you being a bit neglectful? Are you still holding a grudge about what happened three years ago?”

Julian started explaining on Brittany’s behalf.

“Brittany’s still a child. She’s spoiled, and she doesn’t know any better. You’ve suffered so much since you were young, don’t you understand how hard-won your current life is?”

He was right.

In Julian’s eyes.

I was sensible and thoughtful, a girl with a wonderful temperament.

Because I knew how difficult my journey had been to get to this point.

Because I’d seen the hardships of life, seen children in the slums often go hungry.

I naturally understood how precious everything I had today was.

But Julian.

He wouldn’t understand that I never cared about these material things.

All I cared about was Julian.

I only cared about Julian, who had been the spring in my desolate world, breathing life into a soul that felt barren.

I sniffled, trying to sound as calm as possible.

But I couldn’t stop a sob from escaping.

I quickly covered my mouth, afraid Julian would hear. Just then, a nurse walked into the room.

“Ms. Green, you can head to the operating room now.”

My eyes welled up with tears, and a torrential downpour raged in my heart.

The storm swept away the few remaining specks of warmth I had shared with Julian.

Julian’s and my child was about to go to another world.

The only remaining link between us would also disappear. I hated to let it go.

I wanted so badly to ask Julian why he was so cruel to me.

But then I heard Julian’s voice, tinged with concern, ask me.

“Are you sick?”

Julian walked a few steps to a quieter spot, and finally, the noise subsided.

He seemed to have heard something about ‘surgery’ and instinctively pressed.

“What kind of sickness? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Julian was about to ask further when someone called out to him.

“Bro.”

Brittany had followed him, her voice full of complaint.

“They’re all bullying me. Come on!”

“Make them understand I’m not easily messed with. I have backup!”

Brittany clung to Julian, refusing to let go.

Julian saw her hugging his arm, and couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

A thought crossed his mind: *What could be so urgent for Alice?*

*I can go see her after this, it’ll be fine.*

Julian agreed with Brittany.

“Okay, brother will get revenge for you.”

Julian spoke into the phone.

“If you’re not feeling well, have Mrs. Gable make you some chicken soup and look after you. I’m busy here, so I can’t talk anymore.”

Julian hung up.

The noise from his end ceased abruptly.

A bitter smile played on my lips.

Staring at the disconnected call, the words stuck in my throat – *Can I keep this child?* – ultimately remained unsaid.

I followed the nurse into the operating room.

Looking up at the fluorescent lights, before the doctor administered the anesthesia, I heard her ask,

“Should we notify family?”

I shook my head.

“No need.”

I held onto my last breath.

“I don’t have any family.”