My Boyfriend Accompanied His Old Flame to Her Prenatal Check-up

3

"Is there anything you want to say?" Julian Valerius asked, his voice cold.

I opened my mouth, but my throat was so dry I could barely force out a single word. "Nothing."

"Very good." Julian released his grip. He stared at me for a moment, his gaze chilling, then turned and left.

I heard Nancy gasp. When I glanced over, she immediately averted her eyes.

I went upstairs to our room. Standing in the doorway, I stared at the vast bedroom for a moment before heading into the walk-in closet to start packing.

In truth, I didn't have many things of my own. Everything I used here had been bought by Julian.

He never even had to buy them himself. Deliveries arrived daily—clothes, shoes, jewelry. The mere title of Mrs. Valerius was enough to have major brands scrambling to send their wares.

I packed the few belongings I had brought with me into my suitcase. They were pitifully few, leaving the suitcase half empty.

I sat on the sofa, staring blankly at the suitcase.

'I knew I was in serious trouble.' Maybe I should call my dad and tell him I wouldn't be able to help the family company through its crisis after all.

Mom and Dad would be devastated.

I don't know how long I sat there before Matron Valerius's gentle voice called from outside the room.

"Rhea!"

I hurried out to meet her.

The moment Matron Valerius saw me, she rushed over, took my hands, and asked with concern, "What happened? Did you have an abortion?"

'I hadn't expected Julian to act so fast.'

"I'm sorry, Mom."

Matron Valerius's brow furrowed. "How could this happen? Rhea, why would you do this? How could you not say a word about something so important? Did you go to the hospital by yourself? Don't you know that any procedure has its risks? If something had happened to you, how would I ever explain it to your parents?"

"I'm sorry, Mom."

Other than that, I didn't know what to say.

Matron Valerius sighed and led me back into the room. "You need to lie down right now. This is your Post-Abortion Confinement, and you must rest properly, or you'll have health problems down the line. Don't leave the house for at least two weeks. I'll have the family chef come over."

Matron Valerius's attitude toward me hadn't changed in the slightest. She was even insisting I stay here to recover.

I was a little surprised. After a moment's hesitation, I asked, "Mom, what did Julian say?"

"I tried calling him, but he won't pick up. I haven't seen him yet." Matron Valerius sighed again. "Is something wrong between you two? You've only been married a month..."

"Mom... so Julian wasn't the one who told you?"

Matron Valerius paused. "Nancy told me."

'So that's what happened.'

Now I was even more confused about Julian's attitude.

"Rhea, you have to tell me, is there a problem between you and Julian? Did he..." Matron Valerius trailed off and sighed again. "He's always been a player. I thought he would settle down after getting married. That bastard! Don't you worry, Rhea. I'll teach him a lesson for you. You just focus on getting better and don't let your mind run wild."

I nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Mom."

Matron Valerius stayed with me until dark. She called Julian, urging him to come home, and only left after hanging up.

Before she left, she told me not to get upset or argue with Julian, and to call her if I needed anything.

'Matron Valerius must be heartbroken, too.'

But I couldn't bring a child into the world just because she was kind to me, or out of a sense of gratitude.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Before I could answer, Nancy walked in carrying a tray.

"This is chicken soup. You should have some. I'll just leave it here."

I didn't say anything.

Nancy set the soup on the nightstand, shot me a look, then pursed her lips and walked out.

I'd known since my first day here that Nancy didn't like me. She even seemed to look down on me.

I didn't really care. At the end of the day, she was just a stranger.

The only thing I'd ever cared about was Julian's attitude toward me. But now, I knew I had to let that obsession go.

Some things just aren't meant to be yours, no matter how hard you fight for them.

It was time to let go. To set Julian free, and to set myself free, too.