Just like the evening breeze leaves no trace

When Carolyn opened her eyes, she was in a hospital room.

“You’re awake?” A nurse approached, adjusting her IV. “How are you feeling? When they brought you in, you were white as a sheet—you really gave us a scare.”

From the nurse, Carolyn learned the property manager had rushed her here and immediately tried to contact Roger in the owners’ group chat.

Roger had only snapped, “She’s a grown woman. Is this really worth bothering me about?”

Then he hung up.

Not one message of concern had appeared on her phone.

A bitter ache tightened in Carolyn’s chest. He must have forgotten—she was claustrophobic.

But back in high school, when bullies locked her in that pitch-black storage room, it was Roger who smashed the door open. Ignoring his bleeding hands, he pulled her into his arms.

“Don’t be afraid, Carolyn. I’ve got you.”

His voice had trembled. The next day, he beat those bullies black and blue.

“She’s claustrophobic! Terrified of the dark! Do you realize she almost went into shock?!”

Roger went wild, earning himself a major disciplinary mark.

He also made sure the whole school knew—the lonely, unprotected girl named Carolyn had someone watching over her.

So when had he started to forget?

Carolyn pulled the IV needle from her hand. The nurse gasped. “Hey—what are you doing?”

“I’m fine. I don’t need this.”

“What do you mean, fine? You’re going to be a mother now. You can’t afford to be reckless.”

The words struck Carolyn like a blow. She stiffened, turning back. “A mother? Me?”

The nurse looked concerned. “When you passed out, we ran some tests. Our department head reviewed the results personally. You’re three months pregnant. Didn’t you notice any symptoms?”

Carolyn’s mind went blank. The nurse’s lips moved, but she heard nothing.

Why now? Why, of all times, when they were about to divorce?

Numbly, she walked out of the room, unsure how to face the news.

Just then, Roger came hurrying down the hall.

Carolyn stopped—but he walked right past as if she weren’t there, turning instead toward a consultation room around the corner.

For a moment, she stood frozen. Then, almost against her will, she followed.

It was the gynecology department.

A few minutes later, Catherine stepped out holding a medical report, eyes red. Roger was beside her.

They paused near the stairwell.

Catherine wept. “You heard the doctor. Ever since… since the abortion, my periods have been irregular, and the cramps won’t stop. It’s a uterine lining rupture. I… I might never be able to have children.”

Then Roger’s voice cut in, soft and low.

“Shh, don’t worry, love. We’ll have a child. I promise.”

“I still dream about the baby you lost because of me.”

Catherine sobbed harder. “If our child were still here, they’d be in elementary school by now. Swear to me—swear you’ll only ever have children with me.”

Roger drew her into a tight embrace.

“I swear. Only yours.”

“But what if your wife is pregnant…?”

Roger paused, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

Catherine’s voice turned sharp, desperate.

“Then get a vasectomy—after I’m pregnant!”

Carolyn’s heart clenched.

She expected Roger to refuse, to lose his temper.

Instead, he hesitated only a moment before murmuring gently, “Alright. Whatever you want.”