Chapter 3

I spent the next two nights in that small apartment, sitting in the middle of my half-open suitcase. My hands moved slowly, folding my clothes, remembering how I came to this country a year ago.

I got a medical scholarship at one of the best universities in London but I destroyed it in one night.

"I shouldn't have gone to that party," I said.

I had no reason to stay here. My scholarship was revoked because I couldn't continue my studies. Damian's family clearly wouldn't let me stay in this apartment any longer. My only choice was to go back to my home country.

My flight left at 2 PM from Heathrow Airport. I booked a taxi for 10 AM, giving me enough time to check in and compose myself before the long flight.

I arrived at the airport with barely enough time. Hurriedly, I pulled my heavy suitcase through the terminal 5 corridor, looking for the check-in counter for the airline that would take me home.

My growing belly made my steps slow and heavy. In the middle of the busy airport filled with tourists and business travelers, I stopped for a moment to catch my breath.

That's when I saw them.

Damian and Laura were standing near a different departure gate—the gate to the USA. Damian was wearing a black leather jacket that made him look like a model, while Laura looked casually elegant in a long cream coat and a pink scarf wrapped around her neck. They were laughing together, their hands intertwined, and Laura occasionally patted Damian's chest.

Damian was about to start his new life, studying there, marrying Laura, and forgetting about me and my baby as if we never existed.

"I should say goodbye, this might be my last chance to see him," I said.

Then I approached them. I was only a few meters away when Laura saw me first. Her smile instantly faded, replaced by an annoyed expression. She tugged Damian's arm and whispered something.

Damian turned around. His face was shocked when he saw me.

"What are you doing here?" he asked sharply.

"I'm going back to my country. I can't stay here anymore," I said.

Damian showed no sympathy. He just stared at me with a blank look.

"I don't care where you go. We're done, Alissa. The divorce papers are signed and I just want to move on with my life," Damian said.

"Honey," Laura chimed in. She rested her head on Damian's shoulder. "Let's go. The plane's about to board."

"I just wanted to say goodbye. This might be the last time we see each other. After this, there won't be another chance. I'm going home and starting a new life there. We'll never see each other again," I said.

"I hope that's true, I don't want to see your face again. I don't want to know anything about you or that child. I'm going to America with Laura and I'm going to forget all about this stupid marriage. So, goodbye, Alissa."

"You really don't care? I'm carrying your child and you're heartless enough to leave us like this?" I asked.

"I already said, I'm not sure it's mine. The court wasn't sure either. So stop bothering me," he said.

"You won't do a DNA test because you're a coward and stupid," I said.

His eyes widened slightly. "You..."

"You hate the truth, you can't accept the reality that you're going to be a father. You're running from responsibility like a scared little kid. But one day, this child is going to grow up and he's going to find out about his father. And when that happens, he's going to find out that his father is a coward who chose money and another woman over his family. He's going to hate you, and that's all because you chose to be someone worth hating," I said.

Laura stepped forward. "Enough! You're so toxic. No wonder Damian chose me over you. I'm a good woman, I would never teach a child to hate his father. But you? You've already poisoned that child's mind since he was in the womb."

I laughed, a bitter laugh that came from the deepest part of my heart.

"If Damian really believed this child isn't his, he wouldn't care about what I say. What I know is that he's a coward, he'll treat you the same way too, Laura."

"You..." Damian started to get angry, his face turning red.

Laura grabbed his hand. "Honey, don't listen to her. She's just trying to provoke you. She's vindictive and toxic. We need to leave now."

Laura stared at me with a sharp look. "Don't you ever try to contact Damian again. He's chosen me and he's never coming back to you. I'm going to give him the happiness you never could. I'm going to be his wife, and he's going to be a good husband to me. As for your child? I'm sure the court made the right decision. That's not Damian's child."

"Go to America and live your wonderful life but remember this, Mr. Kingsley, every night before you sleep, you'll think about this child. Every time you hear a child's laughter, you'll think about what you left behind and you'll regret it. One day, that regret is going to destroy you."

He couldn't take it anymore. Whether it was emotion or because my words kept piercing his heart, he stepped forward and shoved me.

"SHUT UP! YOU'RE JUST A CRAZY WOMAN!"

My unbalanced body with my large belly immediately lost its balance. I fell backward, my back hitting the hard airport floor. Pain radiated from my back all the way to my stomach.

"Ah!" I screamed, my hands immediately grabbing my stomach which felt tight.

Several people around us shouted in shock. A flight attendant passing by ran over.

"Ma'am! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I said while holding my stomach and stroking it.

Laura pulled Damian away, her face pale. "Come on, we have to go. We can't get involved in this."

But Damian didn't move.

"Come on, Damian!" Laura yanked his arm roughly. "We're getting on the plane now! Let's go!"

I saw Damian still staring at me, then Laura pulled him harder, and he finally followed Laura. I watched them run toward the departure gate, Damian occasionally looking back with a cold expression.