Only Discovered He Truly Loved Me After I Aborted Our Child

Elaisa's POV

But when I saw Russel and Ivy getting cozy, words caught in my throat. I was about to retreat to my room and gather my things when Russel called out to me. His voice startled me; it had been ages since he’d spoken to me without me saying something first.

“Elaisa, Ivy wants you to be a bridesmaid at our wedding.”

I should’ve guessed it was for Ivy. A bitter laugh escaped me. “Alright, Uncle.” It felt strange calling him that for the first time, and I could see it threw him off a bit.

He opened his mouth to say something, but Ivy chimed in, “Not a bridesmaid, a flower girl!” She smiled sweetly, "Our Elaisa is still just a little girl.”

A flower girl in her twenties? It felt ridiculous, almost laughable. The Russel I knew wouldn’t have stood for anyone mocking me like that. But instead of defending me, he shot me a cold look that left no room for argument. Numbly, I nodded along, my eyes drifting to the ring on his finger.

That ring—one I had made for him years ago—was engraved with mountains and raindrops. I couldn’t believe he was still wearing it. Back then, I was naive enough to think I meant something to him. I mean, why else would he ditch a billion-dollar contract to care for me when I was sick? Why would he get jealous, pinching my cheek if I chatted with other guys? He’d always say, “Ela, stay by my side forever, okay? I’ll give you the best of everything in this world.”

But just then, sensing my gaze, Russel frowned and, without a second thought, took off the ring and tossed it in the trash. Panic shot through me; I feared he’d see the pregnancy report I had crumpled up. In a panic, I called out the familiar name, “Russ.”

His expression darkened like a storm cloud. “Elaisa, remember your place.”

“Hey, Russ, come on. Don’t be mad at her,” Ivy chimed in, snuggling closer to Russel and planting a kiss on his cheek. Just like that, the coldness vanished from his eyes. When he looked at Ivy, all I saw was tenderness—a tenderness I had once briefly known but lost forever in a single night.

That’s when it hit me. Some feelings are better left buried deep, like secrets that can tear you apart if you let them out. Because once they’re out in the open, they would take everything you’ve got.

After smoothing things over with Russel, Ivy turned to me with a bright smile. "Oh, right! Why don’t you come shopping with us later, sweetie?" She continued, "Russ says you’ve got good taste. You used to pick out all his clothes and shoes, so could you help us choose some things for the wedding?"

I felt like a lonely orphan under someone else’s roof, and I had no choice but to agree to Russel's soon-to-be-wife.

Ivy didn’t like having a driver around, so she insisted that Russel drive himself. And like a good man, he indulged her every whim.

When we climbed into the car, Russel opened the passenger door automatically, but this time it was Ivy who slid into the seat. The lucky charm I had sewn for him was long gone, replaced by a new couple’s ornament. But that wasn’t enough for her; she complained about wanting the passenger seat to be her "exclusive spot."

Russel chuckled and said, “So childish.”

Hearing those words, words he’d said to me countless times before, twisted something inside me. I turned to watch the world blur by outside the window, lost in my thoughts.

Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly jolted as a loud crash shook the car. We were in an accident.