Never Forgiven

The next time I opened my eyes, I was in the family's private hospital.

The sharp smell of disinfectant hit me, and I instinctively grimaced.

A nurse at my side said with surprise, "Donna. You're awake."

"Congratulations, you're eight weeks pregnant."

I was pregnant, with Dominic's child.

I mechanically reached for my stomach. It was still flat, yet it held a fragile life.

For the past three years, I had longed for this moment, but now, all I felt was bitterness.

How could a child born to an unloved mother be a symbol of love?

The next second, my phone vibrated, breaking my thoughts.

A text message from Dominic popped up on the screen.

"Anniversary ball canceled. We'll reconsider rescheduling when you've come to your senses and apologized to Sienna."

I let out a sharp laugh and pressed delete, wiping the message completely.

Then I called my private lawyer. "Please prepare the divorce papers for me, as quickly as possible."

As I prepared to leave the hospital, I ran straight into Sienna.

She was dressed in couture, carrying a limited edition Hermès bag, and looked me up and down before covering her mouth in mock surprise:

"Elena, you look terrible. I almost didn't recognize you." Her voice was sickeningly sweet. "But I guess it's understandable. You were in that small, dark space for so long. How was your claustrophobia attack?"

I didn't say anything and walked around her.

But she called out from behind me with a smile,

"Do you know why you haven't been able to get pregnant for the past three years? I'll tell you the truth. Before you two got married, because I didn't want any other woman to have his child, Dominic had a vasectomy for me.He only got the reversal six months ago because he saw how desperate you were for a child and decided to indulge you."

No wonder Dominic never used protection when we were together those first two years.

I thought he wanted a child with me, just like I did.

So even this little life was just something he was bestowing upon me.

Sienna then pulled out a document, and my pupils contracted.

It was my marriage certificate with Dominic.

She said with a smile:

"A few days ago, I said I needed paper to make a paper airplane, and Dominic just casually gave it to me. Paper like this makes the best ripping sound. Want to hear it?"

The next second, right in front of me, she tore our marriage certificate to pieces.

"Perfect. Dominic and I will get a new one. This old one will be useless sooner or later."

"Are you done?" My voice was calm.

Sienna paused.

"Then now, get out of my sight."

I turned away, expressionless.

But as I left, Sienna suddenly shoved me hard from behind.

I was completely caught off guard, lost my balance, and fell down the stairs.

Then came the intense pain, spreading from my abdomen to my entire body.

"Help! Someone, help!" The nurse's scream came from a distance.

Warm liquid flowed down my legs.

I looked down and saw my white dress soaking through with bright red.

Finally, a startling pool of blood spread on the marble floor.

My child.

I reached out to touch my stomach, but in the end, I could only weakly lower my arm.

"Quick! Prepare an operating room!" The doctor's voice boomed in my ears.

Someone pushed me onto a gurney, the corridor lights flashing past my eyes.

I wanted to speak, but couldn't make a sound.

The anesthetic was pushed into my vein.

My consciousness began to blur.

The last thought I had was: maybe this is for the best.

At least, I won't have to hesitate anymore.

As expected, the child couldn't be saved.

When the doctor told me the news, I just calmly said, "Okay."

Then I picked up a pen and signed my name on the divorce papers.

That night, I got on a plane and left New York.

The chat window on my phone was still open to the message where the man told me to apologize.

He felt so confident, likely because he believed I had nowhere else to go but by his side.

But just a while ago, I received a notification from the bank. I learned that my parents had secretly left me one-third of their family fortune in Sicily when I was eighteen, as my dowry.

And that money was enough for me to rise again.

The moment the plane took off, I deleted all my accounts.

I took one last look at the city that I had loved and hated.

Dominic. Goodbye forever.