Be My Own Light

Julian's smile froze as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He picked it up and Sam's voice rang loudly in the quiet room. "Julian, hurry over! Anne fainted on the way here and we still need someone to pay for the hospital fees."

Julian grabbed the bank card we had all been saving from the bedside table without hesitation.

"Are you out of your mind, Julian?" I blocked his way, furious. "You're going to take the money we saved for our baby just to pay for Anne?"

His eyes darkened with frustration and he rushed out regardless of my obstruction. "Enough, Scarlett. Someone's life is at stake and all you care about is your petty nonsense. Stop being so selfish!"

I pounded his shoulder frantically, but he was so strong he pulled me out of the room. "Selfish? She's your childhood friend, not mine! Why should I spend my money on her?"

Julian seemed enraged by something I said and pushed me down like an angry leopard.

The shards on the ground hadn't been cleaned up and my exhausted body collapsed onto them. Pain shot through my body as I raised my hand to find my back and arms covered in cuts.

Julian has already left, not even looking back at me.

Staring at my bloody hands, I used the last of my strength to call for an ambulance before blacking out. In the haze of unconsciousness, I dreamed of the young boy he used to be. The one who climbed the hill with me to pray at the old church.

He clasped his hands together, his expression devout. "I'll protect Scarlett for my whole life. If I ever break this vow, may I meet a terrible end."

When I woke up, it was already late at night. I was the only one in the dark ward. A nurse came in, handed me a glass of water and helped me sit up.

She looked at my bandaged arms and couldn't help but sigh. "Miss, you just had an abortion and now you're like this again? Please take care of yourself and rest more."

I closed my eyes, letting the bitterness and pain wash over me.

After thanking her quietly, I opened my phone. The first thing I saw was a post from Sam on his feed. "Indeed, only Julian cares about Anne."

The photo showed Julian sitting on a hospital bed. At the same time, Anne rested her head on his lap, smiling happily and contentedly. A scumbag and a shameless woman—no wonder people say they're made for each other.

The ache in my chest turned into numbness. I forced myself to push the sadness aside. They didn't deserve my tears or my pain.

I logged into my mobile banking app and checked my account. Thankfully, the $14.000 I had saved for myself was still there. I calmly transferred the money into my account.

My marriage with Julian also came to an end with the loss of this child.

I called the general manager and asked, "Ms. Lily, is there still a chance for me to be transferred to the headquarters?"

I was offered a promotion to headquarters because of my outstanding work a week ago. Still, I turned it down because I was pregnant and didn't want to be separated from Julian. Now, none of that mattered anymore.

"Scarlett, weren't you pregnant? Don't worry about work right now. Rest well and take care of yourself. There will be other chances in the future."

Hearing Lily's gentle voice, I breathed deeply to calm myself. "Ms. Lily, I lost the baby. I'd like to return to work as soon as possible."

There was a brief silence on the other end before she spoke. "I'll add your name back to the list. Losing a child isn't a small thing. Rest for a week and then report to headquarters."

I agreed softly, my voice trembling a little. "Thank you, Ms. Lily."