Seven Years of Love Lost, After the Stand-In Left, He Went Mad

I hurled the ring in my hand at Cody with force. "Then this ring is also back where it belongs."

Cody caught the ring with an unpleasant expression, "Elise, don't regret this later."

"I'll only regret not waking up sooner," I replied coldly.

Not wanting to stay and face them any longer, I walked out of the house with my phone in hand. Behind me, I heard Brittany's deliberate tone, "Cody, Elise is upset. You should go after her!"

Cody sneered, "Go after her? What a joke! She'll come crawling back to me in less than two days."

That was how it used to be. Every time Cody and I argued, I was always the one to compromise. But this time, I wouldn't turn back.

Seven days flew by. During this time, I was busy handling work transitions. Life felt fulfilling and hectic. Cody sent me two messages asking when I'd return, but I ignored them completely.

Just as I was eagerly planning for my overseas training, I discovered I was pregnant.

After the examination, the doctor cautioned me, "The fetus is not stable and there are signs of bleeding. I'll prescribe some medication to help you maintain the pregnancy. You need to rest and avoid overexertion."

I placed my hand on my abdomen, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions. Why did this have to happen now? If I'd found out about the pregnancy a week earlier, I would have been ecstatic.

I had always dreamed of having a child with Cody, someone who shared our blood, making us a real family. But now, I wasn't sure if I should keep the child or not.

At that moment, Cody called me, "Today is your birthday. I've arranged a party for you at the Orchard Hotel. Come and have dinner with me. Let's put the past behind us."

My heart wavered slightly. For the sake of the baby in my belly, I decided to give him one last chance. It was raining and the roads were congested, so I arrived a bit late.

I found the room number Cody had given me. As I pushed open the door, lively chatter reached my ears. Most of the people in the room were his friends, the same group that had attended Brittany's birthday party.

They had already started eating and even the cake on the side had a piece taken out of it. When they saw me standing at the door, everyone's attention turned to me and the atmosphere froze for a moment.

Cody frowned and said, "Why are you still standing there? Everyone's been waiting for you for ages."

I looked at him and sneered, "Waiting while eating already?"

Brittany chimed in gently, "I have a weak stomach and can't go hungry, so Cody let everyone have a few bites first."

I walked over, glanced at the table full of leftovers and said with a mocking tone, "A few bites? You sure have big appetites."

Catching the sarcasm in my words, Cody immediately showed his displeasure, "Elise, everyone went to great lengths to come here for your birthday. What's wrong with having a few bites of food? Who asked you to act so high and mighty, showing up so late!"

"I was late because …" Before I could finish, Cody interrupted. "Forget it. It's your birthday today and I don't feel like arguing with you."

He then tossed a box in front of me. "Here, your birthday gift. I spent ten thousand on it."

I opened the box to find a jade bracelet inside, but its quality and appearance were far inferior to the family heirloom bracelet he gave to Brittany.

But what mattered wasn't the bracelet itself, it was the meaning it carried.