Chapter 4

Tessa asked, "Randall, do you think Tessa will be mad at me?"

"She can't be. Since she got pregnant, she hasn't worked a single day! All she does is cook and look after Belle. Now, she won't even cook, and she can't even teach Belle properly. Did you hear what Belle just said? She called you a tramp! You can put up with it, but I can't!"

"Maybe we should just let them in. It's not a big deal if we're a little hungry. It's still snowing outside. What if something happens? You'll regret it," Tessa said softly.

Noticing Randal's hesitation, Tessa immediately grew upset and was ready to stand up and leave. He quickly tried to calm her down.

"I won't regret it! All you want is a bowl of potato stew. What's so hard about that? She's getting more and more difficult! Are you still cold? Let me warm your feet."

"I'll do what I promised, but you need to keep your promise too." Tessa playfully kissed his cheek.

Through the glass window, I could see their figures entwined.

Randall bent down to take off Tessa's shoes and socks and held her feet against his chest.

The dimly lit room was filled with tension, while outside, the storm raged. I could feel my lower abdomen cramping.

He was still so practiced at warming feet. Back then, I was sensitive to the cold. He would do the same for me. He would warm my hands and feet when we were dating.

After we got married, he gave me tonics to help with my cold body, so I could get pregnant.

With more heaters and heating pads, the intimacy between us dwindled. I used to think this was a good thing. The improvement in our economic status freed us from much of the repetitive labor.

But now, it just disgusted me.

I used the flowerpot to shield my head. Holding Belle close, I took a detour toward the underground parking lot, where there was a camper van with some supplies inside.

Before leaving, I took everything useful from the villa.

If they wanted that potato stew, they'd have to make do without the cookware and utensils. Let them eat the cold wind instead.

I left the potatoes, though. They had already become moldy. That shameless couple could have them all.

Randall had no idea that I knew this villa very well. I had scouted it countless times in preparation for a surprise I wanted to give him.

Randall and I met in college. When I confessed my feelings to him, he was thrilled. He eagerly shared the news in the campus group chats. It was as if he wanted the entire world to know.

He said I was his moon in the sky, that I would always be bright and beautiful.

When he proposed, he promised to love and pamper me forever, to never let me be trapped by housework or social obligations.

When I was pregnant with Belle, he said that we would be his whole world and that everything he worked for would be for us.

Yet, he did none of it. After seven years of marriage, we were still living in a cramped three-bedroom apartment. We could barely fit the three of us, and we had to constantly accommodate his parents.

Now, with another baby on the way, I had planned to find us a better place.

The villa's previous owner was a friend I met through work. Her husband had accumulated debt and needed cash, so they sold the villa and everything inside for a pittance. That was why the villa was so empty.

I bought it not only to help my friend but also to give Randall a surprise.

Our anniversary was in a week, and the baby would be stable by then. It would be the perfect time to decorate the villa together and make it our new home.

But now, it was clear I wouldn't be able to keep the baby. I prayed that the heavens would let Belle survive.

The hail hit my hand. At first, it stung, but my limbs were growing numb. I couldn't feel anything. Belle's breathing was becoming rapid. It was as if she were struggling to breathe.

Finally, we reached the basement. I climbed into the camper van, turned on the heater, and then massaged Belle's body.

She woke up and wanted to cry, but she seemed too shy to do so. Instead, I was the first to break down.

"It's okay, Belle. Good girl. Don't open the door for anyone. There are snacks and bread in the van. If you're hungry, just eat something."

I gave her a reassuring smile, but a wave of warmth surged below me. I finally couldn't hold on any longer. My eyes closed, and I lost consciousness.