Only If His Heart Still Echoed Mine

On our long-awaited wedding anniversary, Everest ditched me countless times, just to set off fireworks with Selene and her son, Jace Madden.

That was when I finally understood. It wasn't that Everest didn't like kids, but he didn't want the two of us to have a baby together.

"By the way, honey. Since you're still weak after just having your surgery, I submitted your resignation for you. The position is vacant anyway, so why don't you write Selene a recommendation letter?

"You know her husband died in the line of duty. Life is going to be really tough for her if she doesn't have a job," Everest said.

I watched in silence as he pulled a pre-written recommendation letter from his pocket and eagerly waited for my signature with a face full of hope.

"Sure."

Ignoring the pain from the stitches, I signed my name with a trembling hand under his expectant gaze.

He seemed surprised that I agreed so easily and instinctively tried to soothe me. "Don't overthink it. It's just a job, and once you're feeling better, I'll find you a new one."

At that moment, it felt like grains of sand had gotten into my eyes, making them sting. I didn't say a word and just nodded.

He excitedly pulled me in for a hug. "I know you'd understand. You've always wanted a child, haven't you? We'll adopt one of our own once you're better."

He had made this promise countless times, but this time, I felt nothing.

On his wrist, he still wore the red fertility bracelet I had once knelt 9,999 steps to pray for.

My eyes stung, and when I reached up to wipe them, my hand came away wet.

Maybe I did get what I once wanted, but in the end, I was left with nothing but a bloody mess.

I yanked the red bracelet off his wrist and reminded myself that it was time to leave. I had a few days left, and for once, I was going to live for myself.

…

After packing my bags, I ignored the nurses' protests and checked myself out of the hospital.

The moment I got home, I ran into Everest. He saw me and immediately took off his military coat to drape it over my shoulders. His voice was a mix of reproach and concern.

"Honey, you're still not well. I told you to stay in the hospital a couple more days, didn't I? Why did you come back?"

His coat carried the scent of Selene's perfume. His acting was flawless, and I couldn't bother to call him out.

Not noticing anything different about me, he continued, "Honey, Selene is moving and has nowhere to stay for a couple of days. You wouldn't mind if she and Jace stayed here with us for a while, would you?"

I forced a calm smile. "I don't mind. Bring them over."

Startled by my composure, he asked, "Aren't you… mad?"

"No. She's lost her support system, so it's only right that you help her."

Everest beamed with joy and gave me a tight hug. "I'm sorry to put you through this, honey. I'll make it up to you once they move out."

I nodded and stayed silent.

I didn't want the compensation anymore, and I didn't want him either.

Everest noticed my silence and assumed I was upset. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an emerald bracelet, sliding it onto my wrist.

Then, he lied and told me it was a family heirloom. But at a single glance, I recognized it as the bracelet Selene had dumped last month.

At that moment, everything suddenly clicked. It turned out that I was never his first choice; I was just his backup plan and the compromise.

"Oh, and honey, I remember you have a gold safety pendant. You usually don't wear it, so why don't we give it to Jace?"

I looked up at him. He seemed to have forgotten that the pendant was the final keepsake Dad had entrusted to him before he died.

When Everest delivered the pendant to me, he had proposed through tears. "Your family died because of me, so from now on, I'm taking care of you."