CHAPTER 005

The days that followed Laura's departure were strange. Jason became more loving and attentive towards me. He cooked for me, bought me flowers, and even took a leave of absence from work to spend quality time with me.

It felt like the early days of our relationship. I felt that he was trying to compensate me for all the agony I had undergone during these past recent months. He could not have been more successful.

After getting home from work, Jason changed his clothes and went to prepare dinner.

And I rested on the couch and watched him busy in the kitchen.

He was tall and handsome, and the sunset shone on him through the windows, creating a light halo that removed some of his coldness.

He lowered his eyes slightly, and his hands with distinct bony fingers handled the ingredients skillfully.

This scene gave me a feeling of peace.

“What’s wrong?”

He turned around and asked me in a gentle voice.

“Babe, will you be able to accompany me to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up?”

I decided to break the news of my pregnancy to him hoping it would make our bond stronger.

“Oh yes, Is everything okay?” He asked, coming to me and looking worried.

“Yes, just a regular check-up, but I want you to be my company,” I replied, my voice slightly trembling.

“Okay darling,” he leaned and kissed me on my forehead.

My cheeks turned pink.

That evening Jason made my favorite meal. We talked and laughed over dinner like we hadn't done in years.

After dinner, we cuddled up in bed while watching a movie till eventually I fell asleep in his arms.

In the late hours of the night, I woke up and found Jason's side of the bed empty. I felt a sense of uneasiness about it as a knot of anxiety started forming in my stomach. 

I got off the bed and padded out of the room. My footsteps echoed silently through the dark house.

I reached outside the balcony only to see him talking to someone on his phone and I felt relieved. He didn't notice my presence because his back faced me.

I noticed his voice was low and he sounded tense.

I stood by the door, straining my ears to hear the details of his conversation.

“If she wants to die try to stop her, if you can't stop her, call 120. Don't call me. I won't divorce Ava for her.”

I felt like the ground had been pulled out from under my feet. My heart thudded in my chest as I stepped back not wanting him to know that I was there.

The warmth and security of the evening evaporated, replaced by a cold crushing reality. Despite everything, Laura was still a part of our lives and Jason's conversation over the phone suggested that she was still a problem.

I returned to the bed, my mind racing. What did he mean? Was Laura threatening to hurt herself? 

I had hoped that his rejection of Laura meant a new beginning to us but I wasn't so sure.

Amidst my thoughts, I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up the next morning Jason was gone. 

The servant informed me that he had left early, saying he had urgent matters to attend to.

I called him hoping for some explanation. He answered on the third ring sounding tired. I noticed that there must be something wrong.

“What happened?” 

“Babe, I'm sorry I can't come today,” he said, his voice distant.

All my expectations were extinguished in an instant, and I felt cold from head to toe.

My heart sank, I felt disappointed and worried. He had promised to come with me to the hospital but now he was nowhere to be found.

I held the phone, unable to speak for a long time.

I wanted to ask something, but it seemed meaningless.

I hung up feeling a familiar sense of abandonment. The hope I had felt days ago seemed like a distant memory. 

I was the one he gave up after weighing things over and over again.

I subconsciously touched my belly, and suddenly began to wonder again, should I keep this baby?

If I keep it, it will be difficult to completely break off the relationship between him and me even if I want to.

My mind was filled with thoughts about Jason and Laura as I drove alone to the hospital.”

While driving past the crowded road, I was plagued with a funny feeling that something was wrong.

Jason’s conduct, Laura’s residual presence, and my insecurities were like having a dark cloud hovering above me.

I attempted to concentrate on the road, but my mind kept wandering back over the events of the last few days.

Not paying attention I only noticed when it was too late that the light ahead had turned red. I stepped on the brake but my legs felt as though they were made of lead and the car skidded across the wet pavement.

My vehicle spun around and I felt an acute pain in my side as my seatbelt dug into me.

At this point, my head was spinning and I couldn’t see clearly because of how blurry my vision was.

With a bang, I crashed into something.

When I came to my senses, I felt dizzy and my ribs were in unbearable pain.

The first thought that pierced through my mind was the little one growing inside of me. I needed to make sure my baby was okay. 

With shaking hands I reached for my phone and dialed Jason's number, praying he would answer. 

The phone rang endlessly, each ring increasing my fear. 

My stomach began to ache, and I was gripped by a fierce fear at the thought of losing my child.

Please! Jason! Pick up the phone!

Finally, someone picked up, but it wasn't Jason.

“Didn’t Jason tell you that he has no time for you today? He’s busy. Why do you keep calling?”

Laura’s voice was like ice water, shocking me into silence. The realization that Jason was with her and that he had allowed her to answer his phone was too much hurt to bear. 

My breathing was blocked, tears welled up in my eyes, and my fingers trembled.

The call disconnected and I felt a wave of nausea. I struggled to breathe. 

I had loved that man for so many years.

But at this moment, my feelings towards him were only hatred.

The world blurred around me and the last thing I remembered was the sound of my ragged breathing and the feeling of tears on my cheek as I lost consciousness.

Then, all I knew was darkness.