Chapter 3

I suddenly felt a little empty inside, so I walked over to the wine cabinet, thinking I would grab a bottle.

The comments floated past.

[Seriously? If Lyra doesn't want Nolan's baby, she can just get an abortion. There's no need to drink on purpose! Damn, she's evil.]

[Right? She's pregnant, and Nolan doesn't even know yet. He doesn't have a kid later in the plot, so this one's definitely not gonna make it.]

My hand froze in mid-air. Silently, I put the bottle back and locked the cabinet. Then, I sat down on the couch and started wondering what I should do about the baby.

My phone suddenly buzzed. It was a message from Nolan.

"Remember to eat dinner. Don't drink on an empty stomach. Don't stare at your phone in the dark, and don't stay up all night."

I stared at the screen for a long time. All of a sudden, I couldn't bear the thought of getting rid of this baby anymore.

…

A week later, I got a text from the bank. Nolan had transferred some money to me and included a note with it. "Half a month's salary. Use it for now."

It wasn't a lot, and the amount was oddly specific. I stared at the message, zoning out for a while.

The comments exploded.

[So he literally only left himself enough for cheap meals every day!]

[His hands are covered in blisters, yet he's still thinking about his ex-wife.]

I dragged myself up from the couch. I touched my still-flat abdomen and said slowly, "Sweetheart, I think your dad is about to starve."

Then, I walked into the kitchen. I'd basically never set foot in here for the past three years.

Before, it had always been Nolan cooking all kinds of fancy dishes for me. I only knew how to make instant mac and cheese, and I still managed to burn it sometimes.

I looked up a recipe. While following it, I almost cut my hand. I also forgot to add salt. But after two full hours of chaos, I finally managed to make a pot of broth.

Then, I went to the pharmacy to buy iodine and band-aids. From the scattered hints in the comments about the "new development zone in the south of the city", I hailed a cab and headed over.

The construction site was full of dust. I stood at the entrance in my lounge dress and slippers while holding a thermal food carrier, standing out like a sore thumb.

The comments started teasing me.

[Why does she actually look kind of cute dressed like this?]

Just as I was craning my neck and looking around, a white sedan pulled up. Celia stepped out, carrying a delicate lunch box.

She saw me, too. Her smile faltered for a second, then smoothed back into elegance. She walked over to me. "Ms. West? What are you doing in a place like this?"

Her gaze dropped to my food carrier, and she chuckled lightly. "Have you brought lunch for Nolan? He has a sensitive stomach and can't handle anything too greasy."

I looked seriously at the broth I'd made. "It's chicken soup, and it isn't greasy. I skimmed the fat."

Celia took a step closer and lowered her voice. "Ms. West, I think there are a few things you're not getting here. Right now is the hardest time in Nolan's life. What he needs is someone who can help him get back on his feet, not some clingy little ornament who can only make broth."

I thought about what to say for three whole seconds. "But he's doing manual labor right now. That takes strength, not making a comeback."

I paused, then added, "And I'm not a clingy ornament. I can make my own money… I just haven't figured it out yet."

The comments were stunned.

[Celia just got roasted into speechlessness.]

[Lyra's logic is always this bizarre, yet it's also somehow impossible to argue with.]

Just as the atmosphere turned awkward and tense, Nolan walked out of the construction site. His work clothes were covered in dust, and there were band-aids all over his hands. He had sweat on his forehead.

When he saw us, he visibly froze.

Celia immediately went up to him. "Nolan, I brought you lunch…"

But Nolan walked straight toward me instead, his brows furrowing. "Why are you here? There's too much dust."

I held up the food carrier and the bag of medical supplies. "I brought you soup and medical supplies."

Something shifted in his eyes. His fingers trembled slightly as he took the things from me.

Celia's face went pale. "Nolan, I came here for you—"

He turned to her, his voice polite but distant as he said, "Ms. Sanders, thank you for your kindness, but I don't need it. Please don't come again."