Hearts Beyond Redemption

Since Raymond was so fond of Victoria, I might as well let them have each other. I had to divorce him! I had to! This life was simply unbearable!

I touched my still-flat stomach, feeling a pang of sorrow. I said to my unborn child, "Sweetheart, I'm sorry, but I can't let you come into this world to suffer."

My stomach was painfully empty and cramping in waves. After searching every corner, I found nothing to eat.

Feeling the three dollars left in my pocket, I gritted my teeth and went out. I walked unsteadily to the supermarket and bought discounted, nearly expired food.

Taking a fierce bite, the flavors spread through my mouth, yet the food tasted incredibly bitter to me. Though my family in the countryside was not wealthy, we could at least afford meat daily. How had life with Raymond become worse than living through a famine?

With the little food in my stomach, I finally had some strength. I touched my still-flat belly again, feeling a twinge of pain.

Nevertheless, I walked with determination to the hospital. When I told the doctor I wanted an abortion, his eyes flashed with hesitation behind his glasses. "Are you sure? Does the father agree?"

Not getting a reaction from me, the doctor paused, his expression growing sympathetic. Perhaps feeling sorry for me, he softened his tone as he asked, "Have you thought this through? This is a life, after all."

I nodded numbly.

Had I thought it through? What was there to consider?

In my previous life, when had Raymond ever cared about this child?

Even at seven months pregnant, I had still been starving every other meal. My belly had been as small as a deflated ball while Victoria from next door had been pampered until her face seemed to glow.

When my mother traveled from afar to visit, she broke down in tears when she saw my gaunt complexion. "Oh, Minnie, I should never have let you marry so far from home! You're living worse than an animal!" she wailed.

Indeed, even pet animals received extra food when pregnant. However, Raymond only knew how to save my rations to give to Victoria.

He even stole the formula I bought when I was weak after childbirth and our baby was crying desperately from hunger.

Remembering my son's emaciated body from my previous life, my heart felt like it was being sliced open.

"Come to the hospital tomorrow at 8:00 am. Don't eat beforehand."

The doctor handed me a form, which I accepted without hesitation.

When I returned home, smoke rose from all the neighbors' chimneys, and the air was filled with the aroma of food being cooked—except for my house, where the stove was cold and deathly still.

The unit next door was lively with activity. I knew from Victoria's coquettish laughter that it was due to Raymond's attentive care.

The sounds pierced my heart painfully like sharp thorns. I began packing my things—just some simple clothes, a few books I treasured, and the money my mother had secretly given me.

This was all that I owned.

I packed these items into a worn canvas bag. Then, I walked to the bedside table and picked up a yellowed photograph. In the photo, Raymond and I were wearing new clothes, our faces radiating happiness.

This was our wedding photo. Back then, I genuinely wanted to build a good life with him.

I stared at the photo for a long while, then finally tore it to pieces and threw it in the trash.

The old Minnie was dead—along with her son—at the bottom of that cold well.

Raymond returned just as I finished packing. Seeing me, the smile on his face faded slightly, and he casually asked, "Have you eaten?"

I could not even be bothered to look up as I turned back to the bedroom. He had the nerve to ask if I had eaten after taking all our food.

He followed me in, holding a canvas bag while presenting it proudly. "Didn't you say you liked Vicky's bag last time? I bought one for you. Don't be angry anymore."

I glanced at the bag with a dirty stain in one corner and felt disgusted.

What nonsense about buying it for me! Clearly, it was something Victoria had tossed out!