On the other end, a thrilled man’s voice sounded, “Wait, really? You’re not messing with me, are you? Did you really break up with that guy?”
I paused for a while and as a resolute gleam appeared in my eyes, I said, “Yes. It’s over. Once I leave, I’m not coming back.”
Before, I had refused Chris Roland’s offer to go abroad because my debts weren’t fully paid and because of Simon. However now... I was almost free of debts. I could take my mother somewhere safe, somewhere with proper treatment.
Simon was no longer the boy I once loved and was not worth having my heart anymore.
This time, it was really the end for us.
"Janey, I’ll get started on your visa right away. As soon as work over there is finalized, we’ll be ready to leave!”
After I hung up with him, I called the hospital and made an appointment for an abortion for the next week.
If I was going to leave for good, then this child could only become another weapon for Simon to hurt me with and keep me tied to him. I couldn’t let that happen.
The next second, I received a notification from the hospital.
They informed me that my mother’s condition had taken a sudden turn for the worse. The doctor said she was in critical condition and urgently needed a family member’s consent for surgery.
My heart clenched. Without even thinking, I grabbed my bag and raced out the door, flagging down the first taxi I could find.
Thankfully, the surgery went well. My mother was stable. Only then did I feel a sliver of relief pierce through the fog of anxiety clouding my mind.
As I sat in a hospital chair, my phone lit up again. It was Simon calling me.
“Baby, where are you right now?” His voice was sweet as he coaxed me. “I’ve already scheduled a home visit tomorrow with the city’s top OB-GYN for you. Be good and stay home, okay? Don’t run around like that again.”
His gentle tone sounded exactly like the man I had once trusted with my heart. However, to me now, it was just a well-rehearsed performance.
I didn’t answer him with anything more than a cold, flat “Mm” before ending the call.
As soon as the call disconnected, a message notification popped up in the group chat.
[Simon, why are you going through all this trouble for Jane? You even scheduled prenatal checkups for her? Aren’t you scared Kelly will find out and get mad?]
[Seriously, Simon. I just don’t get it. Why do you even want to keep that baby?]