Threads Unbound, Hearts Unmade

"What have I ever done to betray you?"

I stepped closer to Nathan and whispered, "Mr. Cresswell, have you lied so much that you no longer remember whose womb holds your child?"

Nathan froze. Realizing Evelyn and her family were still nearby, he opened his mouth to reprimand me.

But before he could say a word, I dismissed him with a wave of my hand.

"Don't worry. I'll leave now. I won't get in the way of your family reunion."

The instant Nathan mentioned sending me away, Evelyn's stomach miraculously felt better.

She immediately stopped insisting on going to the hospital and instead "kindly" urged Nathan to help me pack my things.

I let out a bitter laugh and gestured toward the bedroom.

"My luggage is already packed. You can bring it down. I'm leaving now."

Nathan stared at me, disbelief written all over his face.

Without further delay, I slipped on my coat and headed for the door.

"I was planning to stay at Deborah's place for a few days anyway," I said.

With a sigh of relief, Nathan rushed upstairs to help me with my luggage. He even thoughtfully hailed a cab for me.

After all, his car was already packed with Evelyn's belongings.

There was simply no room left for me.

I sat in the cab, watching the villa where I'd lived for three years slip away into the distance.

I no longer felt any attachment inside.

The car was silent. I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by exhaustion.

It felt like I'd been living in a long dream—one that stretched across the first half of my life.

Loving Nathan had consumed a third of that time.

However, it took only three months to see who he truly was.

The moment I learnt the truth, my love for him disappeared.

The car gradually rolled to a stop in front of Deborah's house.

I opened the door and stepped out. Weighed down by my rounded belly and thick coat, my movements were somewhat awkward.

Shortly after, my phone lit up with multiple messages from Nathan.

"Valerie, just give me a few more months. I promise I'll come back for you."

"Once things are settled with Evelyn, I'll clear your name along with our child's."

"The three of us will never be separated again."

He seemed completely unwavering in his promises.

I simply smiled, choosing not to reply.

Pulling my suitcase behind me, I walked toward Deborah's house.

There would be no room left for disappointment or compromise.

All that remained was a sense of freedom.

Goodbye forever, Nathan.

This was the last time our paths would cross.

From now on, there would be nothing left between you and I.

The next day, I found myself lying in a cold, sterile operating room.

I knew that once I closed my eyes and opened them again, this child would no longer exist in this world.

Still, my heart carried no trace of regret.

I refused to let my child carry a burden of shame that wasn't theirs to bear.

As my consciousness began to fade, I slowly closed my eyes.

But even then, my tears streamed down without restraint.

Just as Nathan was about to board the plane, his phone suddenly rang. It was his friend, Jeremy Talerico.

"Congratulations, Nathan! Looks like you can finally get rid of that deadweight at home," Jeremy said.

Nathan's expression hardened. "What are you talking about?"

Jeremy froze, caught off guard by Nathan's unexpected question.

"Aren't you aware? I just saw Valerie at the hospital.

"She's scheduled for an abortion. In fact, she's already in the operating room."

The words hit Nathan like a cold wave, leaving him stunned.

His hands shook as he ended the call.

Without hesitation, he left Evelyn behind and bolted out of the airport.

No matter how much she urged him to get on the plane, he was deaf to her pleas.