After the Third Time

When my eyes opened again, they met Wren's tear-swollen gaze.

"Selena, thank God your baby's okay. I couldn't bear it if something happened," she sobbed, clutching me like I was a precious gem she had thought lost forever.

I caressed my belly, a gentle look in my eyes. My heart, once suspended in fear, was settled with relief.

That was my first child, and despite everything, my anticipation for its arrival had not waned.

Even if leaving Henry was in my future, I would not abandon our child.

Flipping through my phone, Henry's empty chat history left me unfazed. However, Melanie's silence was broken by a flurry of photos and messages.

In each picture, a sweet baby nestled in Henry's arms, cradled with such care, his eyes brimming with love.

Melanie, looking worn but joyful, watched them from her hospital bed.

Their little family, wrapped in warmth, would make anyone's heart swell with happiness.

Beneath the photos, Melanie had left a note.

[Henry once promised he would be the baby's father, and that we would build a happy life together. You wouldn't want to be the homewrecker, would you?]

[Now that you're divorced, stay out of his life. We got our marriage license yesterday, and I'm holding on tight this time.]

Beneath her text was a snapshot of the marriage certificate.

I gazed at the photo for ages before finally setting my phone aside.

It was a good thing that I had stopped pinning any hopes on Henry long ago. Melanie's taunts could no longer touch me.

It was the night before my departure abroad when Henry's call came through at last.

"It's my birthday today. You've always been there for me, year after year. You won't break tradition, will you? I've booked us a table at San Nello's finest. See you at eight. Don't stand me up!"

I almost said no, but with my move abroad the next day, and no more chances to see him, I figured it was time for a proper farewell, to close the chapter on us once and for all.

However, I ended up waiting alone at the restaurant, and Henry was a no-show.

His voice cracked through a rushed voice message.

"I'm sorry, Selena. Melanie's kid got sick, so we had to rush to the hospital.

"I've got a lifetime of birthdays to spend with you. I'll divorce Melanie tomorrow, remarry you. Once I've sorted things with her, I'll be yours, okay?"

I switched off my phone with a steady hand and passed the gift I had brought for Henry to the waiter.

With that, I collected my bags without a backward glance and made my way to the airport for my new beginning.

By eight the next morning, I was checked in for my flight.

A quick scroll through Melanie's Instagram showed Henry, dark circles and all, asleep at the hospital, the picture of peace.

An hour had passed when I lined up to board my flight. That was when Henry's text popped up, asking when we were going to pick up our marriage license.

I blocked his number without a second thought, switched my phone to airplane mode, and stepped onto the plane without a backward glance.

Henry, who had just left the hospital, waited and waited, but my reply never came.

He tried calling me, frustration mounting, only to find my line was unreachable.

Pondering what to do next, he decided to call Wren.

Meanwhile, Melanie burst out of the hospital, clutching her baby and panting heavily. Tears streaked her face as she pleaded with Henry,

"Henry, please don't leave. The baby and I need you. Can't you stay?"

Henry paused, torn, but he ultimately pushed her hand away with a steely resolve.

"I've done what I had to do. Today's the day I get back with Selena. I promised her."

However, Melanie was relentless, gripping onto him once more.

"You helped us, so you can't abandon me when things are at their worst. The baby's sick, and I can't care for him alone. Henry, can you really bear to see your child and I die?"

Henry wavered. "I promised Selena..."

"Life's at stake here. Selena would understand, she's always been so compassionate," Melanie interrupted as placed the baby into Henry's arms, its pale face tugging at his heartstrings.

After a moment of silence, Henry finally found the words.

"Alright, I'll help you take the baby to the doctor for now..."

However, before he could finish, Wren's scornful voice cut in through the phone, which had connected without his knowledge.

"Why don't you just stay trapped with Melanie? Selena's long gone from Itania. She's done with you!"