Love Fades Only Shattered Dreams Remain

Estelle laughed maliciously.

“Stop making that pitiful face. You're looking for someone to blame, huh? If you wanna do that, then blame yourself for being useless! It was only natural that your children were fit to be my nourishment when their mother was someone as weak as you!”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I raised my hand and slapped Estelle across the face.

Smack!

Unfortunately, my slap never landed on her face. Vincent had swiftly yanked Estelle behind him and took the hit himself.

He then shoved me forcefully to the ground, his anger boiling over. “Judith Blair, what are you doing?!”

Estelle cried her eyes out, “Vince, I just wanted to comfort Jude. I meant to tell her not to be sad over the loss of her child.”

“But she’s got jealous that that I’m pregnant instead. He accused me of stealing her future title of Mrs. CEO and tried to dump all her frustrations on me. I pushed her to protect myself--It wasn’t intentional! I already apologized, but she shouted that I must have miscarriage and was about to hit me!”

Before I could explain, Vincent looked at me with disdain. “Judith, I never knew you were such a petty woman.”

“If you couldn’t keep your baby, it’s because of your incapable body. Why take your anger out on Elle and repay her kindness this way? Don’t envy things that aren’t yours—apologize to Elle right now!”

Incapable? Hah…

The more I looked at him, the more I felt that he was a stranger. “Vincent, tell me, what did you do with the bodies of my lost babies?”

Vincent furrowed his brow. “I properly burried them, of course. Hadn't I told you that?”

His acting was truly impressive.

“Vincent, you’re right. I shouldn’t envy things that aren’t mine. Don’t worry, I won’t fight Estelle anymore.” Afterward, I left the place without sparing a second glance.

Vincent was probably feeling some sort of anxiety. I could hear his gasp, wanting to call me, but Estelle stopped him.

“Vince, I felt nauseous because of the leftovers poured on me. Can you take me to the hospital?”

Vincent was slightly hesitant. Ultimately, he didn’t follow me.

Once back at home, I gathered everything Vincent had ever given me over the years and threw it all into the fire.

When I pulled out our marriage certificate, a WeTalk notification chimed. I opened the app and read on the screen.

[Judith, I simply told Vince that I felt nauseaus and he immediately called in the best obstetric doctors all over the country.]

[If that doctor is currently abroad, he told me that he'd bring that doctor with a private helicopter home. Aren’t you jealous?]

I didn’t respond. Just as I finished reading the message, I shifted my gaze to the marriage certificate already engulfed in flames and turned to ashes.

I could care less if Vincent saw this since I knew, he wasn't coming home tonight anyway.

Sure enough, Vincent called.

“Jude, Elle’s having complications with her pregnancy. Ken isn’t home and as her brother-in-law, I need to take care of her. Please don’t be mad.”

I couldn’t help but think of the WeTalk photo Estelle had sent earlier—her glowing face as she ate fruit that Vincent had personally cut for her. She didn’t look sick at all.

“Sure, I understand,” I replied. “The well-being of a pregnant woman comes first. Take good care of her.”

There was a brief pause before Vincent spoke softly, “Jude, I didn’t mean to be harsh with you today. I know our baby just left us and I know you’re hurting.”

“But Elle is pregnant and she’s carrying the Long Family’s bloodline--And neither of us can continue the family name. If something happens to her, I think Mom and Dad would never recover.”

I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. Why was he making so many excuses?

“Stay home and rest,” he continued, his tone shifting. “Tomorrow’s your birthday. I’ve booked us the best hotel and I’ve got a surprise planned for you. I’ll come pick you up in the morning.”