The Love from The Past that Ruined Our future

In the end, I squatted on the ground. My hand gently stroked on my belly. I then cried until my body trembled. 

I said in my heart, ‘So he loves Eleanor Celeste. He can take my child's life and my whole life to sacrifice?’

***

I didn't know when I fell asleep.

When I woke up, Orlando was already in the living room with Eleanor Celeste.

Orlando, who had never cooked at home, was busy preparing lunch in the kitchen at this time.

After seeing me, he somewhat awkwardly explained, “Richard has been a bit busy these days, Celine. Eleanor's fetus isn't very stable, so I wanted to bring her home to recuperate for a few days. It’s okay, right?”

I sat to the side in silence.

I knew Orlando worked hard and those hands were extraordinarily precious.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that on weekdays at home, he did not dip his fingers into the water of spring.

Now I ate the food cooked in Eleanor's favor. I also ate the rice he cooked.

Eleanor had a bad appetite. She was just listlessly beeping and saying that she had no appetite.

Orlando then held up his spoon.

It was different from the silence and detached politeness when he was with me.

Now he was almost humble to the dust, coaxing Eleanor to eat.

Probably he noticed my gaze.

He turned his head and smiled awkwardly. Then he put another big prawn into my bowl.

I looked up. I had no appetite at all.

Eleanor was clamouring to eat mango. It made Orlando then remind her like a child that she had diarrhoea the last time she ate too much mango.

I silently threw the shrimp into the trash.

I still remember the first time I was allergic after eating prawns. Orlando cried and pulled my hand tightly. He also said it was all his fault. He promised me that he would never forget this incident in his life.

Now he was still very careful, but the object of care was no longer me.

I didn't have much of an appetite. I then pushed away my cutlery. I wanted to leave.

Eleanor Celeste suddenly called out to me from behind. She came over to my side and shook the amulet on her chest with a smile.

“I heard from Orlando that this amulet is still the one that Auntie begged for, Celine. With this, the baby in my belly will definitely be born safely.”

I knew she purposely emphasized the word ‘safe’.  I couldn't help but move closer to her. However, I was suddenly pushed away by Orlando.

He protected Eleanor tightly in his arms. Orlando frowned and condescendingly looked at me.

“An amulet is just an amulet, Celine. I'll give you as much as you want, okay? Eleanor has thanked you, so don't be so small-minded.”

My eyes were instantly red. My fists also clenched.  “Orlando Humphrey, do you still remember what you said when I gave you this amulet?”

I had always been calm at this moment. But it was the first time he had seen me so out of control.

After a moment of surprise, he just wanted to reach over to wipe my tears. On the other side, Eleanor was still behind him. She suddenly held her stomach and screamed. It made Orlando instantly panicked. He held Eleanor and rushed towards the hospital.

I leaned against the table and my stomach tightened. With difficulty, I walked to the entrance of the neighbourhood to take a taxi.

Just as I arrived at the hospital, I saw Orlando holding Eleanor in line. I silently turned to another line.

After paying the fee, I was waiting at the door of the ultrasound room. Suddenly I was dragged into the stairwell. When I was caught off guard, my cheek was slapped hard.

It was Eleanor Celeste. Her small belly was slightly bulging. She looked at me with a disdainful face.

“Celine Reverie, are you cheap? Back then, when you went into premature labour, why didn't you die with that cheap bastard of yours?”

I was silenced. I looked at Eleanor with a frown. 

“You have to know that I told Orlando that I didn't want you to get pregnant with his child. So he cut one side of your fallopian tube during the operation. But now you're actually pregnant again?”

Hearing her mention that child, my heart twitched and tightened. It was because I knew that Orlando didn't love me that I didn't tell him about the pregnancy.