In all those years, our relationship wasn’t without its regrets. My health wasn’t great and several times my period didn’t come. David would always become anxious, like a child and ask me with a hopeful face, "Rose, did we make it?"

Then, he would put everything aside and go with me to the hospital for a full check-up. When the results were disappointing, he’d hide his own sadness.

"It’s okay, we’re still young. Giving birth is painful and I don’t want you to go through that, Rose."

I saw all of David’s disappointment and it hurt me deeply. It wasn’t that I didn’t care—David had a younger brother who died while trying to save him and he had always longed for a son to carry on his brother’s legacy. I knew this about him.

That’s why I kept going to the hospital for check-ups, keeping it all from him.

What I didn’t, however, know was that David had already secretly found someone else to have a child for him. When he heard about the family of four, David’s expression shifted slightly and he pulled me closer, his hand around my shoulder.

"From now on, if you want a child, why not consider adoption?"

David spoke casually, as though it was nothing. "I can’t bear to see you suffer. My Rose, just be a child yourself."

As he said this, he leaned in to kiss me, but before his lips could reach my cheek, his phone kept ringing nonstop in his pocket. He tried hanging up a few times, but the caller kept calling back.

I, being understanding, gently pushed him away. "Maybe it’s something urgent."

David sighed reluctantly. "Really unlucky. The company’s been so busy lately, I haven’t had time to spend with you."

He complained as he spoke, but his face betrayed a hint of amusement. Grabbing his phone, he walked away, answering the call. "Hello..."

I stood there, watching David in the yard. I didn’t know what the girl had said, but I felt like I could guess.

I could read from David’s expression that he was about to leave. Sure enough, David hung up the phone, his face showing clear signs of urgency.

"There’s an issue with a contract. It’s related to the company’s profits for the second half of the year..."

"Mm," I said, putting my phone down and looking up at him. "It’s fine, go ahead and handle it. Work comes first."

I kept my expression calm, just like usual. Keeping things from David was always easy for me.