A Reckoning for Our Lost Child

Jeffrey didn't seem to realize that when he was nervous, his fingers would restlessly fiddle with his cufflinks.

I gave a faint smile. "I'm here for a routine check-up. You know, I haven't been feeling well lately."

A look of relief washed over his face. "Where are you headed? I'll give you a ride."

"No need. You're busy. It's for your colleague, after all. Wouldn't want people saying the CEO of Sterling Enterprises lacks basic courtesy. Forgetting to deliver it, or delivering it late... that wouldn't look good at all, would it?"

My words left him stunned, but I didn't wait for a response. I just turned and walked away.

Once outside, I took a deep breath of fresh air. Back home, without a moment's hesitation, I had a moving company pack up all of Jeffrey's personal belongings and send them directly to the front desk of Sterling Enterprises.

This was my house. It was an asset my parents had given me before the marriage. If anyone had to leave, it wasn't going to be me.

An hour later, Jeffrey burst in, his tie askew, his face flushed and frantic. He found me in the kitchen, calmly pouring a glass of water.

"Olivia, I can explain! It was a misunderstanding!" he said urgently, trying to grab my hand.

I sidestepped him and looked up. "I gave you three chances, Jeffrey."

"The first was the day you came back from Aspen. You had a mark on your neck. I asked, and you said a branch scratched you while skiing."

"The second was when I told you I wanted a divorce because I didn't want you to be without a child. You swore you didn't care about children, that you only wanted me."

"The third was today. You claimed that Bonpoint bag was for a colleague, that you were just being a good boss."

I let out a soft sigh and placed the water glass on the marble island. "I'm not generous enough to stand by while my husband builds a second family behind my back and plays me for a fool."

"Jeffrey, we're over."

"No!" Jeffrey panicked, his hands gripping my shoulders tightly.

"Olivia, I love you! She was just a mistake. Mom has already agreed; we'll keep the child, but I swear, I'll send it away as soon as it's born! To a boarding school, or abroad! Silene will disappear too. She won't interfere with our lives. You will always be the one and only Mrs. Sterling!"

I looked at the man I once loved and felt nothing but pity for the pathetic creature he'd become.

I patted his shoulder and broke free from his grasp. I calmly handed him a document. "I don't believe you. Not unless you transfer all your shares in Sterling Enterprises to my name."

His gaze shot to me, filled with shock and hesitation. But I pressed on. "I don't have a child; I only have you. But you? You have a child out there and another home waiting for you. How can I believe you when you say you only love me?"

Jeffrey stared at the agreement, the silence stretching as the seconds ticked by. When he finally spoke, his voice was a hoarse, trembling whisper. "Pulling that many shares from the company... it would require board approval and could affect operations."

"Then let's just get a divorce, Jeffrey," I said coldly, turning to leave. "Our prenup has an additional clause. If I release evidence of your infidelity and illegitimate child, plus how you misappropriated company funds to book a room for your mistress that night in Aspen... trust me, the board will oust you themselves."

"You... you know about Aspen?" His face instantly lost all color.

"I know everything. You can't bear to part with me, and you can't bear to part with your CEO position. But you can't have both."

I slid the divorce papers across the table.

Jeffrey didn't even look at them. He tore them to shreds. "I agree! I'll give you everything!" he said, holding me tight. "Olivia, I won't let you down again. Once she has the baby, this will all be over."

Over? The word was so absurd I almost laughed in his face.

Jeffrey was tragically naive. Silene came from a humble background; a man like Jeffrey was the best she could ever hope for, and she would never let go easily. Getting pregnant, ruining someone's marriage, and posting those smug hints on social media—she was determined to secure her position.

To my surprise, Jeffrey moved quickly. Three days later, he brought a lawyer, and all the shares were transferred to my name.

Just as he finished signing, my phone rang. It was the hospital, reminding me of my surgery time.

Almost simultaneously, Jeffrey's phone rang too.

"Olivia," he was already halfway out the door, "there's an emergency at the company. I'll be back to be with you as soon as I'm done."

"Go on," I said sweetly, practically ushering him out.

The moment he was gone, I grabbed my bag and rushed to the hospital.

Before the surgery, I made a point to walk past Silene's room.

I clearly heard him gently promising her, "Don't be afraid, Silene. I'll never leave you. This is my first child, and you're his mother. No one can tear us apart."

Those words hurt more than I expected. I thought I was already numb to it.

Jeffrey, you really think you can have it all, don't you?

In the pre-op room, the doctor's voice was steady and firm. "The procedure is about to begin. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes. I'm sure," I replied, closing my eyes. "Let's begin."

This child... I wouldn't keep it. And its father? I was done with him, too.