“If you’re not planning to keep it, decide soon. The later it gets, the more it harms your body.”
Clutching the report, I broke down inside the car, crying until I couldn’t breathe.
Back when I loved Diego the most, I had once foolishly believed a child could tether his heart to mine.
So I had Madeline.
He came home more often, softened toward me, and held me the way he used to when we were just two students in love.
It felt like he had come back to me like he was once again that passionate boy who had chased me with reckless sincerity.
Until the day our daughter was born.
While I was lying in the delivery room, trembling with fear, he vanished without a trace.
Later, I found out that very day, he had finally won over the university belle he’d been chasing for years.
They spent the night tangled in springtime pleasures at the highest hotel in Anderson.
I hated him.
But over the years, that hatred had worn away every last shred of hope I once held for Diego.
People around me had advised, “You should have another child. Powerful men are never without women. At least Diego’s cleaner than most.”
“Give him more children. No matter what he does outside, your title as Mrs. Powell will always stand firm.”
The Powell family only produced one son per generation.
If I had another child, boy or girl, then even if Diego wanted to make things hard for me, his parents would step in first.
After all, who would go against the benefits right in front of them?
And more importantly, I still had Madeline.
She was nearly everything I lived for.
I carefully tucked the report away, drove home, and brewed a pot of nourishing soup while waiting for Madeline to return.
Night slowly fell.
After the tenth unanswered call to Diego, I could no longer hold it in.
I grabbed my car keys and rushed out to look for him.
He wasn’t at the office.
The amusement park had long closed.
Just as I was about to drive to the Powell family’s old residence in a panic, the housemaid finally called.
“Madam, Madeline’s home. Assistant Walter just dropped her off. She’s sleeping soundly now.”
I leaned back in my seat, closed my eyes, and exhaled slowly.
“Assistant Walter also said Sir won’t be coming home tonight.”
“Okay.”
I hung up and turned the car around.
But after just one turn, I saw Diego’s car.