Chapter 2 His Fragile First Love

Outside the ward, Arvin asked the doctor about Debby's condition.

The doctor, holding Debby's medical records, glanced coldly at Arvin.

"She's in good health. The bruises on her hands only need some anti-inflammatory cream. She doesn't have to frequent the hospital."

Arvin stood frozen in place. "Bruises... Aren't her injuries severe? She had bandages on just a couple of days ago."

The doctor faltered, seeming somewhat speechless. "It was a minor sprain, not..."

"Arvin, Arvin!"

Hearing the sharp cry, Arvin hurriedly rushed back into the ward before the doctor could finish.

"What's wrong? Are you in pain somewhere?"

Hearing that, the doctor shook his head.

Watching Arvin take good care of Debby, I couldn't help but find it amusing. When I mentioned my pain in the belly before delivering the baby and the blood all over, he refused to believe it, accusing me of deceiving him.

Yet, with Debby having just a few bruises, he was so concerned.

I knew about the sprain the doctor had just mentioned. It happened last Tuesday. I remembered it so vividly because I felt guilty about it for days.

That night, Arvin touched my belly, educating the baby while telling stories and chatting with me.

Since I got pregnant, he tried not to work overtime as much, spending more time with me every day. The careful attention and companionship made me believe he loved me.

I enjoyed those moments as well.

However, everything changed after a phone call shattered that peace.

Arvin glanced at the caller ID, then at me, holding my hand. As if to show there was nothing unspeakable between him and Debby, he put it on the speaker.

Debby's voice came through, sounding pitiful.

"Ar... Arvin..."

Arvin furrowed his brow. "What happened?"

"Dominic got drunk. I... I just wanted to help him to bed, but he... He pushed me away and I twisted my foot. I can't move... It hurts. Why did he... Why did he do this to me...?"

"Where are you?"

After Debby reported an address in fragments, Arvin decisively got up.

I instinctively grabbed his sleeve. "You're not a doctor. If she can't walk, just call an ambulance. Why does she need you?"

Since I got pregnant, Debby had started causing all sorts of trouble and frequently argued with her husband. In the end, it was always Arvin who cleaned up the mess for her.

I couldn't bear Arvin going to bars every few days to pick her up, rushing to her house in the dead of night, arranging hotel rooms for her now and then, and taking her out for relaxation.

All these things weighed heavily on me, making me lose my temper.

Arvin was tender and caring towards Debby but couldn't stand my bad attitude.

"Letitia Smedley, why are you so heartless? You two were friends before. Is this how you treat a friend?"

At that time, I felt aggrieved every time Arvin got angry and called me by my full name. It was all because of Debby. Was the first love really that important?

I shouted back, "How do I treat my friends? Should I let Debby constantly call my husband day and night for comfort and help? I'm not as shameless as her!"

Arvin's face darkened. "You are unreasonable!"

Later, when I calmed down, I reflected on whether I had gone too far. I even felt the peak of guilt in a picture Arvin sent.

It was a screenshot of feet wrapped as thick as a book.

I even asked myself, "Maybe Debby wasn't lying. She just saw Arvin as a good friend and asked for his help. Am I being overly jealous?"

I convinced myself at the time, but now it all seemed like utter nonsense.