Love's Bitter Truth

A definitive answer came from the other end of the phone.

After hanging up, I wiped away my tears. Jonathan's secretary had sent me a text message. It was a family photo of the three of them in front of an amusement park. The child's face was identical to Jonathan's.

Linda Walsh's explanation followed immediately. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Rivers. I sent that by mistake. Please don't misunderstand.”

"Mr. Rivers only pitied Henry for not having a father, so he lied about the business trip to come play with us."

I saw through her clumsy misdirection immediately.

"It's fine. He's just an illegitimate kid, I suppose. Growing up without a father was probably what made him call just anyone 'Daddy.' You should really teach him better manners, Ms. Walsh."

Jonathan called me the next moment.

"Claire Young, what nonsense are you spouting? Henry isn't illegitimate. He's my kid!"

Hearing those words, my already frozen heart was pierced with a sharp sense of pain.

"Back then, I dismissed all of the women around me for you, including Linda.”

"She went overseas alone to give birth to Henry to avoid affecting our relationship. Think of all the hardships she and the child endured!"

Jonathan could see their seven years of suffering, but he could not see the pain I endured through seven abortions for him.

Linda's soft sobbing came through the phone. "Mr. Rivers, your wife doesn't like Henry and I, does she? It's my fault. I shouldn't have given birth to Henry. I made him bear the stigma of being illegitimate from birth.”

"I'm bringing Henry home tonight. From now on, Henry will be my legitimate child!"

Jonathan's voice brooked no argument. Without waiting for my reply, he hung up.

I sat on the couch in a daze. Tears fell like broken pearls, soaking my clothes. I stared at the seven ultrasound photos on my phone, as if they were silently mocking my helplessness.

That night, Jonathan kept his word. He brought Henry Rivers home, along with Linda, who accompanied them.

They wore matching family outfits from the park, as if they were a real family of three, and I was the extra one.

Jonathan held Henry in his arms, showing him around the house, his eyes filled with undisguised adoration.

"Henry, would you like to live in this big house with Daddy and Claire from now on?"

Henry nodded eagerly, then looked at Linda. "What about Mommy? I want Mommy to stay with me!"

Linda forced a bitter smile. "Henry, be good. From now on, Mrs. Rivers will be your mommy!"

Henry immediately refused, glaring at me with hateful eyes. I stood there with my arms crossed, expressionless.

"I don't have children. Don't call me mommy randomly!"

Linda held the wailing Henry, looking at Jonathan helplessly.

Jonathan frowned with displeasure, his tone impatient as he spoke. "Claire, what are you making a fuss about now? Linda's been so understanding. She's even willing to let you have her child!

"Becoming a mother without any pain is a good thing. You don't know how blessed you are!"

I looked at him calmly.

"You personally took away my right to be a mother, yet you want me to accept an illegitimate child as my own? What about the seven children I aborted for you?"

Jonathan’s face showed a rare trace of guilt, which Linda keenly caught. She picked up Henry with tears in her eyes.

"Since Henry and I aren’t welcome, we won't disturb you anymore. We won't appear around you again, Mr. Rivers.”

"Henry, say goodbye to Daddy. We won't see him anymore."

Henry cried out for his father with tearful eyes.