Not My Baby

The Last Time I Looked Back

"Argh!" Logan suddenly cried out as if I had shoved him with all my strength, then fell hard to the floor.

"Logan!" Vanessa gasped.

She rushed over in panic and helped him up before turning to me, anger burning in her eyes.

"Daniel, what is wrong with you?" she snapped. "Logan is still recovering. He has multiple injuries from the accident. How could you push him? If you're angry, take it out on me. Why would you bully someone who's hurt?"

Logan's eyes reddened.

"I was in a car accident. I almost died," he choked out. "Vanessa, you've been my best friend since we were kids. I just wanted you to stay with me for a while. Is that so wrong?

"Why does he have to make our friendship sound so dirty? Why would he put his hands on me? Does he want me dead?"

I gazed at the red marks he had left on the back of my hand. Then I looked at Vanessa, who was protecting Logan as if he were the man she was about to marry.

A bitter ache cut through my chest like a blade.

But somehow, I laughed.

Because in that moment, I was finally done.

For years, I had only heard about how much she favored Logan over me. Now that I had seen it with my own eyes, there was nothing left for me to hold on to.

I didn't explain myself. I simply turned and walked away.

Vanessa froze, as if she hadn't expected me to be so calm. Then she hurried after me and grabbed my arm.

"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I didn't mean to snap at you just now. Logan is emotionally unstable. Wait outside for me for a bit. Once I calm him down, I'll take you home."

I pulled my arm free and walked away without looking back.

It had started snowing outside. The air was freezing, and I couldn't get a taxi, so I stood there and waited for Vanessa to come out and drive me home.

But instead of Vanessa, one of her friends, Evan Carter, hurried over.

"Daniel, I'm sorry," he said awkwardly. "Logan just tried to cut his wrist, and Vanessa is busy calming him down. She probably won't be able to leave for a while, so she asked me to take you home first."

He looked at me and let out a deep sigh. "Daniel, Vanessa loves you. It's just that Logan grew up with her, and she's always valued old friendships. Please don't blame her or misunderstand her relationship with Logan. There's really nothing between them. I can promise you that."

Hearing that, I felt nothing. I almost wanted to laugh.

"It doesn't matter anymore." I held out my hand. "Give me the keys. I can get home myself. And do me a favor, will you? Tell Vanessa that she and I are over."

Evan stared at me in shock.

I took the keys from him and left.

On the way home, Olivia called. She had just landed.

She asked when I would be home, whether I was wearing a coat, and whether I knew it was snowing outside. They were simple questions, but somehow, they felt more genuine than anything Vanessa had said to me in a long time.

Near the end of the call, Olivia suddenly went quiet.

Then she asked, "Our parents will meet tomorrow to talk about the wedding. I want to confirm one thing. Are you really switching brides, Daniel? Was that just something you said in the heat of the moment, or do you regret it now?"

I was surprised by how serious she sounded, but I answered without hesitation, "I don't regret it."

There seemed to be a faint smile in her voice. "Good. Then I'll see you tomorrow."

After the call ended, I contacted my manager. The company agreed to approve my resignation early.

I let out a long breath, picked up my suitcase, and prepared to leave.

Yet as soon as I reached the entrance, I ran into Vanessa, who had rushed back home.

She stormed toward me, furious.

"Daniel, what's wrong with you?" she demanded. "Why would you say something like that in front of Evan? You're breaking up with me over an IVF? Don't you think that's ridiculous? We're about to get married."

I ignored her anger and carried my suitcase toward the door.

She grabbed my arm and argued, "After the baby is born, I'll cut Logan off completely. I already made that clear to him at the hospital. I've compromised this much for you. I'm even willing to give up the friend I grew up with. Isn't that enough?"