Chapter 2

"I regret it. I really feel bad for Helena. We shouldn’t be doing this to her."

Zachary sounded worked up. "But you don’t feel bad for me? I’m in pain, too, Simone. You didn’t tell anyone we got married because you were afraid that Helena would be sad. I went along with you then.

"But now, we’re back together again, and you want to push me away because of her? What am I to you, Simone?"

Simone seemed to waver. "Helena’s been in love with you for a decade, after all. She’s my best friend. I wouldn’t be able to bear the look on her face when she finds out the truth."

"You’re abandoning me again. You’ve already done it once!" Zachary’s voice rose suddenly. "I don’t care about Helena. All I know is that you’re the one I love!

"You’re back in contact with your lover again, aren’t you, Simone? That’s why you’re in such a rush to get rid of me, am I right?"

"No, that’s not true!"

"Then stop pushing me away! If you keep doing this, I’ll go mad!"

Their voices cut off.

I surreptitiously opened the door just a crack.

Zachary was embracing Simone, and her head was tucked under his jaw. He looked like he wanted to become one with her.

My heart clenched so painfully that I could barely breathe.

I ran back into the ward in a rush. Throwing the windows open, I gasped in huge breaths.

But the contact of the cold air made me cough violently, forcing me to bend over.

Tears flowed freely and fell on the floor.

A photograph fell out of my pocket all of a sudden.

I picked it up. Through my blurry vision, I saw Zachary’s face. No matter how I focused, I could not see him clearly.

Just then, the door opened.

I quickly wiped away my tears.

Zachary’s voice sounded behind me. "Why is the window open? It’s snowing outside."

He closed the window and took my hand to lead me back onto the bed.

He felt the photo in my hand and gently pried it away. After staring at it for a moment, he frowned and asked, "Why are you looking at another man’s picture? Am I no one to you, Helena?"

I did not say anything. I only watched as he ripped the photo apart and threw it in the trash.

He leaned down and tilted my face up. Then, he said, "Don’t forget what you said before, Helena. I won’t allow you to have someone else in your heart, and I won’t allow you to look at anyone else."

I suddenly found this all so laughable.

Zachary’s lips were reddened, and I could smell Simone’s perfume on him.

Yet, he was still giving me such dire warnings self-righteously.

Disgust made my stomach roll.

I shoved him away and climbed down from the bed to rush into the bathroom. Then, I started dry heaving.

Just then, Simone came back in. She had another container of food in hand.

Seeing me in this state, she immediately frowned.

"Helena, are you… pregnant?"

Time seemed to stop.

I slowly straightened and looked over at Zachary. He was looking at Simone with barely obscured panic in his eyes.

Simone’s eyes turned watery. She put down the food and gripped my hand. "That’s great if it’s true. I wish you all happiness, Helena."

"She might not be," Zachary interrupted. His gaze was meaningful as he looked at Simone. "You should have a doctor check."

I nodded.

An hour later, the blood test results were out.

The doctor smiled and said, "You are indeed pregnant. Based on your last period, it should be more than a month along."

There was a thud.

Simone had accidentally bumped into the food container, sending it flying and making a mess on the floor.

She hurriedly apologized. "I’m so sorry. I’ll clean this up."

The doctor looked at Zachary and lectured him, "You should have taken more care of your wife when she’s missed her period. You even let her faint by the roadside. The first trimester is the most crucial. You must be careful."

I listened silently with one hand on my lower abdomen.

A warm hand covered mine.

I looked up and met Zachary’s gaze.

He was not smiling. Instead, his expression was solemn.

The next day, I secretly made an appointment with an OB/GYN.