Chapter 3

Jethro's joy was genuine. He wanted this child as much as I did.

If this had been before, I would've told him the truth about the pregnancy and hidden my illness until after the birth. But now, I couldn't bring myself to do it.

"Just kidding," I said.

His smile faded, but he masked his disappointment, wrapping his arms around me. His head rested on my shoulder as he said, "That's okay. We will have one someday."

I smiled without saying anything.

That night, a high fever and searing pain gripped me. Jethro slept soundly beside me, oblivious. Once, he'd wake at the slightest change in my breathing, asking if I was okay. Now, he didn't even stir.

When the pain became unbearable, I threw off the blankets, rushed to the bathroom, and locked the door.

Jethro's phone rang outside. I heard him answer, his voice urgent. "I'm coming. Don't cry."

He got out of bed and knocked on the bathroom door. "Honey, are you okay? Take some medicine if your stomach hurts. Glen has got a fever, so I'm heading to check on him. Don't wait up."

He left in a hurry.

I collapsed on the floor, sweat-soaked and pale, pain crashing over me in waves. My hair clung to my pale face.

I curled up and clenched my teeth as my tears pooled on the tile. "Jethro, it hurts so much. Why did you leave me?"

...

Years ago, in the sophomore year, Dane found out I was dating Jethro.

He was furious, yelling at me for the first time in his life. "Wake up! You two aren't even in the same league. You're not allowed to contact him again."

I argued with him and got grounded.

Jethro pleaded outside our house for a day and a night until he collapsed. We carried him inside and laid him flat.

When he came to, he said weakly, "Mr. Roy, I really like Valerie. I'll treat her right, even if it costs me everything."

Dane sighed without saying anything, but after that day, he didn't try to stop me and Jethro from being together anymore.

After graduation, Jethro got a job at a law firm.

I still remembered the first month he got paid. He made $8,000 but bought me a necklace that cost $7,500.

"You're such a fool! Return it!" I scolded him, upset that he had spent so much.

That was poor financial management.

He laughed it off, fastening the necklace around my neck. "We've been together for four years, and I haven't bought you a proper gift. You deserve the best. Now that I'm earning, I'll give you even more."

His eyes brimmed with tears. "I'll work hard to give you the life you deserve. I'll never let you down."

True to his words, he bought a house with a mortgage and paid off a car in full in just two years. All of this was thanks to his tireless work and his goal to build a home.

...

Jethro didn't come home that night.