I Chose My Research, and He Chose Regret

I sat on the hotel bed and hesitated for a long time before finally calling Charles' number. When he picked up, his voice was as calm and kind as always.

However, I could barely speak past the lump in my throat. I held back my tears and pretended to sound calm.

"Everything's taken care of on my end," I said. "I can leave earlier than planned."

A week later, I went to the hospital to collect my medical report.

During that entire week, neither Robert, Carol, nor Simon had reached out to me. It stung, but I understood that all they cared about now was Sophie and the baby she was carrying. To them, I was just a footnote in their lives.

I ran into Sophie at the hospital entrance. She was dressed to the nines. When she saw me, she gave me that wide-eyed, innocent look.

I had no interest in talking to her, so I quickened my pace to leave, but Sophie called out to me. I heard her voice, dripping with malice.

"Mrs. Heath, what brings you to the hospital?"

She ran a hand over her still-flat belly, then let her eyes drift slowly down to my waist. A smug little smile spread across her face, like something had just clicked.

She said, "Are you here for a checkup too? In my opinion, there's no point in going through all that trouble. If you can't conceive, then you can't. No amount of testing will change that.

"Don't tell me you're getting desperate. For your information, a marriage without love is painful. You should give up sooner rather than later."

Seeing the malice in Sophie's smile, my patience finally ran out. I had no interest in arguing with her, so I turned to leave, but she grabbed my wrist.

Her grip was unexpectedly strong, and she squeezed it so hard that it hurt. I instinctively shook her hand away.

Sophie let out a sharp cry and fell to the ground. Clutching her belly, she said tearfully, "Mrs. Heath, I know you hate me, but the baby inside me is innocent. Simon and I truly love each other. Can't you give us your blessing?"

I watched in stunned silence as she put on her act right there on the floor. Then, I heard an angry roar behind me.

"Lily! What the hell are you doing? Why did you push her?"

I turned around to see Simon's face dark with fury. He rushed over and carefully helped Sophie to her feet.

She collapsed into his arms and sobbed pitifully.

"Simon, I'm scared… Mrs. Heath cornered me and wouldn't let me leave. She called me a bitch and threatened to drag me to get an abortion. Please don't hurt the baby. I'll keep my distance from you and the baby and let you return to your wife."

Hearing that, Simon flew into a rage. He raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face.

He spat coldly, "Lily, when did you become so cruel? If you're upset, take it out on me. Sophie is innocent."

I covered my stinging cheek, and whatever was left of my heart died right then.

The whole scene ended when Sophie fainted. Watching Simon panic over her, I felt utterly desolate. I called my lawyer and told him to deliver the divorce papers to him after I left. Since we'd grown to despise each other, it was better to let go.

With my mind finally made up, I walked—lighter than I'd felt in years—into the office of the doctor assigned to examine the government researcher.

When he saw me, his expression grew complicated. After a long silence, he said, "Ms. Taylor, you're pregnant."