Chapter 3

"par"

With that slap, Judy's face had a red mark of my hand. She was shocked. She didn’t see that coming.

She held her cheek in pain and raised her hand as if to return the slap, but she saw a familiar figure from across the bar door, looking at us with dark sunglasses to avoid attention.

I didn’t know who Judy saw, but her face held panic and stricken fear. She decided to play the victim card. "Big sister, do you hate me that much? Even so, don’t you have an ounce of feeling for this unborn baby? I beg of you, I really love Gaston, and please don’t hurt my baby!"

When Judy saw Gaston advancing towards her, she made to fall down. Out of the blue, Gaston rushed to her and held her. "Judy, are you okay?"

The only reason we were saved from spectators was that there was no one in the bar at that moment, only the barista and other employees.

Judy leaned on him, pulling a teary face and holding her belly with one hand. "Gaston... I am afraid... I thought our baby almost..."

Gaston held her up and kissed her forehead. "Don’t worry, I am here now."

Judy trembled as she spoke, crocodile tears rolling down her face. "Gaston, big sister hit me... I know you and I are wrong for cheating on her, but our baby..."

My hand was quite strong, and Judy's face was soft and fleshy, so the handprints were still there. Her eyes were swollen, and as she shivered, it clearly showed that she was startled and shocked by what just happened.

I stood expressionless, watching them, repeating the scenes of last night in my mind. Gaston turned around and looked at me, his face, even though half-covered by a face mask, showed disappointment and displeasure.

"Alice, this is the most unsuitable time to scold Judy. Her baby is just a month old, and you slapped her so powerfully. If Judy were to fall down, did you know the consequences of your worthless anger?"

"I thought you always loved me and cared for others. When did you become so heartless?" he asked in pain.

"I am heartless?"

I felt myself infatuate with his handsome face for a while; he even had cute dimples. From afar, one would mistake him for a Korean idol. The face I had always adored, I had always touched to feel the soft texture. We were even engaged! Damn engaged, and he chose Judy just like that.

"Since when have you been loving Judy?"

"Before I met you!"

"Why? Why did you court me then? Why did you love me for five years?"

Gaston was silent for a moment. He stared at my beautiful eyes that he adored. They were filled with pain and scorn. I know felt guilty, but he hugged Judy tightly. "I'm sorry, Alice. I have to take responsibility for Judy's baby."

I erupted in laughter. This was the most impossible joke I had heard in a while. "You’re taking responsibility for her? Then what about me? Who will take responsibility for me? Did you ever love me?"

Gaston felt really ashamed. He looked at Judy and hugged her tighter. Judy also clung to him tightly. "Gaston, dear?"

He kissed Judy's forehead and looked at me, speaking hoarsely. "Alice, I am really sorry. I discovered that it was Judy that I loved, and I was just infatuated with you. I can't deny it. I really love Judy."

Listening to his final resolve, I suddenly felt lightheaded, as if I was relieved of something heavy. I felt like laughing, shouting, jubilating, and drinking all of a sudden. All this was happening because I remembered what Gaston had promised me one day—that he’d stay with me until we both grew old. He loved only me, but what is this? He just confessed his love to Judy right before me, and Judy was grinning ear to ear like someone who had just received a pack of gifts.

My lips moved slightly, and then I burst into laughter, shocking Gaston and Judy. Judy's lips moved in a mocking manner as if to say, "Sister, do your worst now." I watched the two seated in each other's arms, and all the pain and disappointment faded away from my heart. I couldn't go in between them again, even if I wanted to. Not because of Gaston or Judy, but because of the unborn baby. I’m not so heartless as to let an innocent baby grow up without a father. I had experienced it, and it was hard.

I looked at the familiar, strange face before me. There was no emotion in his eyes except indifference and love for Judy. "As you wish, I'll break all ties with you and will have nothing to do with you."

"Gaston Veriland, thank you for giving me an experience of what falling in love looks like. Thank you for your devotion for those past years, even though it was fake. From this moment on, Gaston, we shall have nothing to do with each other. If we see each other in the future, we're strangers!"

With that, I walked out of the bar, feeling lightheaded. My footsteps were decisive and without a trace of nostalgia. Gaston looked at my resolute back and panicked, moving up to chase after me. "Alice..."

"Gaston, dear."

Suddenly, he heard a painful moan behind him. "My belly hurts... I hope nothing happened to my baby?"

Gaston’s expression changed, and he hurriedly walked towards her. He held her affectionately. "What's wrong, Judy?"

Judy Lewiston covered her stomach with one hand and frowned. "My baby... is it alright?"

At the mention of expectancy about the baby, Gaston Veriland focused on Judy, forgetting about me as I walked away. I reached the door, looking back and seeing how lovey-dovey they were. Everything was over. I pushed the door and went out solemnly.