3
I entered the hospital’s entrance hall, my bridal gown splattered with muck. A medical attendant spotted me and hurried over,
inquiring if I required assistance.
“I’m here to terminate a pregnancy,” I replied, maintaining my
composure.
Her expression briefly betrayed astonishment, but quickly shifted to one of understanding. She discreetly guided me to the third level.
As I reclined on the examination table, I listened to the fetal heartbeat via the sonogram. Even then, I chose to phone Michael Anderson.
Upon connection, I heard Sophia Rice sobbing and offering apologies. Before I could utter a word, Michael Anderson snatched the phone. His tone was icy as he stated, “Emma, it’s pointless to feel remorse now. You’ve caused Sophia Rice enough pain. Unless you come and plead for her forgiveness on bended knee, I’ll never pardon you.”
The words I intended to say remained unspoken. Instead, I
turned to the physician and said, “Please proceed.”
“The fetus is in excellent condition. Are you certain you don’t want to reconsider this with the father?” the doctor inquired. “No, that’s unnecessary,” I answered.
Upon returning home, the house appeared unchanged. It was evident Michael Anderson had been spending his time with Sophia Rice.
I accessed Sophia Rice’s social media profile and viewed her recent updates. She had shared numerous new posts.
People were gushing over how the once unapproachable Michael Anderson was now rolling up his sleeves, preparing soup out of affection, inciting envy in many.
I saved each post individually, then powered off my phone. After hastily packing a few belongings, I relocated to a hotel. A warm soak helped alleviate my chilled, fatigued body.
I took a brief leave from work to recuperate. Once I felt
improved, I returned to the office.
During this period, my mother repeatedly called, asking if I had reconciled with Michael Anderson. I informed her I wouldn’t be reuniting with him. Her persistent weeping distressed me, so I eventually ceased answering her calls.
When I arrived at the company, I noticed everyone’s peculiar glances. My coworker, Olivia Parker, pulled me aside to my desk, where I saw headlines plastered across websites–the story had
exploded everywhere.
She grasped my hand with a mixture of shock and jealousy. “I
can’t fathom I’ve been seated next to a wealth
11
time! I always assumed Sophia Rice was the true lady of the
Anderson family, but it turns out it’s you, Emma.”
I offered an uncomfortable smile and skimmed through the
article.
Someone with malicious intent had captured photos of
the wedding and shared them online. The headlines were sensationalized, dubbing it a “scandalous affair of a wealthy family indulging a mistress and devastating the wife.”
Michael Anderson’s odd behavior at the wedding had caused a significant uproar, even implicating the Anderson family in the
controversy.
Previously, I would have rushed to assist Michael Anderson
in managing the scandal. But now, with divorce on my mind, I couldn’t bring myself to care.
It was time to leave work.
For the first time, Michael Anderson was waiting for me outside the office. I attempted to turn away and avoid him, but he caught up with me in a few strides, forcing me into the car.
“Are you still upset? Don’t you understand what’s more crucial- a wedding or someone’s life?” he said sternly.
“You’re not a youngster anymore, yet you’re discussing divorce and fleeing. Isn’t that immature?”
ו
Then he altered his tone. “Very well, haven’t you always wanted
to visit that stargazing restaurant in the northern part of the
city? I’ll take you there now.”
He retrieved a gift box from the glove compartment and tossed it at me. It opened, and a diamond ring tumbled out.
It was clearly far more valuable than the one from the wedding day.
Michael Anderson shot me a glance that conveyed, “You ought to be content now,” and continued, “Sophia Rice’s got a cardiac issue, so I allowed her to keep the ring she’s already wearing. This one’s far pricier, so quit fretting about it.”
toyed with the diamond ring in my grasp, observing the 999,999 price tag still attached. It had the appearance of a
hurried purchase from a jeweler’s shop.
Previously, when I was down, he’d prepare meals for me, endure movies to lift my spirits, and dedicate entire days to helping me select the perfect present.
Now, he’s transformed into a carbon copy of his relatives-
assigning a monetary value to my emotions and anticipating my grateful acceptance.
I returned the ring to the glove box and shook my head. “It’s excessively costly. Let’s offer it to Sophia Rice instead.”
08:09 MO 3F Feb
“And I’m not making a fuss about it. Since you and Sophia Rice
can’t seem to part ways, why don’t I just step aside and let her
claim the title of Mrs. Anderson? We can handle the divorce
procedures later.”
Michael Anderson and I had already signed our marriage documents before the ceremony. Now, we needed to navigate the process of separation and divorce filing.
I also learned that during a dinner with Sophia Rice and some acquaintances, someone inquired why a man like Michael Anderson would choose an ordinary woman like myself. He fed Sophia Rice peeled grapes and nonchalantly replied, “I can’t claim to love her, but Emma has been by my side for a decade, and now she’s carrying my child. It would be a shame not to wed her. However, the title of Mrs. Anderson belongs to
another.”
To him, our marriage seems like an act of charity and pity. For me, it has always been filled with genuine affection and sincerity, even during challenging times.
Now, my love for him has faded, and the Mrs. Anderson title holds little significance to me. I believed he would appreciate
my attempt to facilitate his and Sophia Rice’s happiness together.
53%
08:09 Mon, 3 Feb
Instead, he abruptly became enraged, his eyes flashing with
fury, and he struck the steering wheel forcefully, causing the vehicle to shudder slightly.
“Emma! Do you truly find it amusing to say such things? You’ve been trying to please my parents like a lapdog for
years, bending over backwards to satisfy them, and you’ve done everything in your power to conceive just to become Mrs. Anderson. And now you have the audacity to ask for my assistance? Isn’t that utterly preposterous?”
“It’s just that the wedding didn’t unfold as planned. Can’t I at least attempt to make amends later? Besides, who can I hold responsible for this situation? I had already consented to marry you, but when I proposed to Sophia Rice, you insisted on behaving like a harridan and causing a scene.”
He persistently claimed that I intentionally got pregnant. But he had clearly expressed his desire for his parents to accept me and his wish to have a child together. Now, following Sophia Rice’s return, he regretted everything and placed all the blame
on me.
In exasperation, he honked the horn sharply, the sound reverberating within the car. If this had occurred before, I would have wept and implored him for forgiveness. But now, I felt no inclination to argue at all.
Instead, I turned my gaze to
passin
window, seeking some tranquility in the moment.
After a prolonged silence, as if expecting me to humbly request reconciliation, he finally glanced at me and called out, “Emma.” I closed my eyes and remained silent. The navigation system continued to announce road conditions, its monotonous voice filling the void. When we were just 0.2 kilometers from our destination, his phone suddenly rang.
On the other end was Sophia Rice, sobbing and claiming her heart was starting to feel uncomfortable again, asking if she was going to die. Honestly, I was weary of hearing this, though she never seemed to tire of saying it.
Since returning to Canada, she had complained about her heart on every major holiday. Anyone with sight could see through her charade, but sadly, Michael Anderson remained oblivious.
I decided to speak first, breaking the tension. “Just let me off at the upcoming intersection.”
Michael Anderson looked at me, surprised by my response. “Aren’t you upset? Weren’t you just insisting on accompanying me?”
I simply shook my head.
I used to dislike him being alone with Sophia Rice, so I had suggested going along to care for her. At that time, he had
く
become agitated, berating me for being petty and suspicious,
telling me that both Sophia Rice and I should learn to be
straightforward and kind.
He pursed his lips, his phone still vibrating in his hand. The
car swiftly approached the intersection. I grabbed my bag and prepared to exit, but he suddenly grasped my wrist, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions.
“I’ll go check on her,” he said softly. “I’ll return later to take you to dinner. Don’t worry, the position of Mrs. Anderson will undoubtedly be yours. Just don’t be angry.”
“Alright, I’m not angry,” I replied, attempting to sound casual as I gently tried to remove his hand. I wanted to believe his words, but they felt hollow.
But he tightened his grip on my wrist. “Emma, why are you so different from before? Why don’t you…”
“Not jealous anymore, right? What’s there to be jealous about? The girl sees you as her brother. Isn’t it natural for her to turn to you first when she needs something? Now, go on,” I replied, forcing a smile as I freed myself from his grasp and exited the
car.
I then took a taxi back to the hotel, enjoyed the buffet, and quickly dozed off on the bed, feeling exhausted.
In that semi–conscious state. Michael Anderson called me. He
quickly dozed off on the bed, feeling exhausted.
In that semi–conscious state, Michael Anderson called me. He explained that Sophia Rice couldn’t be left alone at the moment
and that he wouldn’t be able to take me to dinner, asking me no
to wait for him.
“I’ve already eaten,” I replied nonchalantly.
He fell silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth and asked, “Do you really have to do this?”
I simply said, “Hmm,” and ended the call, drifting back into a deep slumber.
It wasn’t until the following day that I saw the text message he sent, cautioning me not to play with fire or risk getting burned.
