The Choice to Forget

Jesse's car stopped at the hospital.

Mia rushed into his arms, crying.

Jesse held her and comforted her and then draped his suit jacket over her shoulders. Following that, he knelt on one knee and pressed his ear to her abdomen.

Mia swatted him playfully. "It's only been a month. You won't be able to hear anything."

So, Mia was pregnant. No wonder he'd seemed so distracted when he left.

The taxi driver asked Courtney, "Miss, should we stop here too?"

"Yes, but don't go yet. I'll pay double the fare."

Through the tinted windows, Courtney watched Jesse lift Mia off the ground and spin her joyfully in circles at the hospital entrance, oblivious to everyone around them.

Mia giggled happily. "Hubby, put me down! I'm pregnant!"

She was already calling him pet names now.

Jesse carefully set her down, and Mia wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Do you want a boy or a girl?"

"A girl. We met the sweetest little girl at the beach today."

Mia pouted in dissatisfaction. "I saw it. You set off fireworks for Courtney at the beach, with both of your initials and a giant heart in the middle."

"Are you jealous?"

"Yes. I want that too."

"Not here. Courtney'll see."

"Then let's go somewhere else. We can celebrate my pregnancy."

"But Courtney—"

"You promised you'd give me anything but a title. You can't even give me a fireworks show?"

Jesse was clearly in a good mood. After a moment's hesitation, he agreed. "Fine. But the media would spot us if we do it in the country. I'll take you overseas for a vacation."

"Hubby, you're the best!"

Under the dim lights, Jesse cupped Mia's face and kissed her deeply.

A sharp honk from behind startled Courtney.

"Miss, the car behind us is honking," the driver reminded her.

Courtney looked away. "Let's go."

As the taxi pulled away, Jesse and Mia disappeared in the rearview mirror.

Before long, Courtney's phone buzzed with a message from Mia.

It was a picture of a prenatal check-up report. It read, "Four weeks pregnant. Risk of miscarriage."

Mia texted, "Courtney, I'm pregnant with Jesse's child. He was too rough the other day in the car, and I started spotting. The doctor said there were signs of a threatened miscarriage, but the baby would feel safe once they sensed their father.

"Now, the baby is healthy and thriving in my womb. It'll be born in eight months. Was that you in the taxi? I know you can't tolerate infidelity. So, why not let me have him? I don't want my child to be born illegitimate."

Courtney simply replied, "As you wish."

As she neared home, Jesse called. "Babe, did you get home safely?"

"Yes."

"Good. By the way, I need to go on a business trip for about three days."

"Sure. Go ahead."

"Are you upset? Forget it. I'll cancel and come home to be with you."

In the background, a woman's annoyed huff was audible. It was probably Mia, impatient for their overseas trip.

Courtney said, "I'm not upset. You can go."

"Really? I'll be back in three days for my birthday. Let's celebrate together."

She snorted softly. "We'll see."

"Promise me you'll wait for me at home. I'll go crazy if I come back and you're not there—"

Courtney hung up.

How could he claim to love her while betraying her?

She didn't understand, and she no longer cared to understand.

Her phone rang again, but this time it was the delivery man. "Ms. Lloyd, your package is here."

At her doorstep, she signed for the parcel. It was a vial of memory-erasing potion along with a manual.

"Once consumed, all memories will be erased permanently. Please use with caution."