Chapter 5
The sound of footsteps slowly faded, and everything around me turned black as I slipped into unconsciousness.
The last thing that crossed my mind was a cliché scene from a romance show–where the guy always shows up just in time to stop the girl from doing something drastic.
But this was real life. Fred never had a sudden change of heart, like in a soap opera where he’d come running to stop me from having an abortion.
He was with Nelly, eagerly waiting for their baby to arrive, while I was ending mine.
But I don’t regret it. Life’s never been a carefully planned story for me–no dramatic twists, and no last–minute res-
cues.
***
At ten the next morning, Fred and I met at the courthouse as planned.
The divorce was over before I could even blink. He didn’t even realize my baby bump was gone beneath my over- sized clothes.
As we were leaving, he stopped like something was on his mind. “Where are you headed? I’ll drive you,” he offered.
I shook my head. “I’m fine.”
He didn’t push it. He just stood quietly beside me while I waited for my ride.
“You seem thinner. Make sure to take better care of yourself.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I will.”
It hit me then–we hadn’t spoken this calmly in years, not since the woman he loved disappeared from his life.
Then he added, “When the baby’s born, I’ll send child support regularly. I’m also transferring some shares to her name.”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
He still thought I’d keep the baby.
Maybe it made sense. In his eyes, I once loved him enough to do anything just to have his child.
But the truth is, I’m not that strong. I can’t raise a kid on my own.
From this point on, I’m only living for myself.
I didn’t say a word. I just met his complicated stare and got into my ride without looking back.
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Chapter 5
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The car blended into the busy road, moving steadily forward.
In the rearview mirror, I caught one last look at him–standing still, tall as ever, with a strange, lonely look on his
face.
Maybe I imagined it. There’s no way someone like Fred could ever feel alone.
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