Chapter 4

Lorenzo chose to help Aubery. I could see that I was no longer his first choice.

“How could you be so cruel, Hazel? I didn’t know you would go to these lengths and lie about being pregnant just to gain sympathy, only because you can’t bear to see Aubery here? When are you ever going to stop hurting me with these schemes of yours? Try something else?” Lorenzo carefully held Aubrey to his side and was visibly disappointed looking at me.

My heart shattered into a million pieces. I couldn’t stay here anymore and allow Lorenzo to disrespect me.

After all these years, he still believed that I drugged him to sleep with me. No matter how many times I tried to reason, Lorenzo would never listen.

“Do you think I am lying about my pregnancy?”

“I think I am going to faint.” Aubrey tried to get his attention back.

Lorenzo effortlessly picked Aubrey up in his arms and glared at me before shooting for the door. “Let me get you to a hospital.”

I winced in pain, but when I saw blood, I got scared. It was my last chance at being a mother. I gathered every bit of my courage and ordered a taxi. I slowly dragged myself outside and gestured for the taxi driver to help me get in.

“Please doctor, please tell me if my baby is alright? I have nothing else to live for…please.” I remember sobbing on the hospital bed. I felt too weak to move. My whole energy was drained.

“Do you want this child or not? Your fetus is saved for now, but how many times have I asked you to come with your family? You can’t do this alone.” The doctor scolded me.

I closed my eyes and took a breath of relief. Hot tears smeared down my cheeks. I was still in so much pain, but what left my mouth was. “Thank you, doctor. I will take care of myself from now on.”

I realised I needed clear boundaries now. Shifting to another apartment to stay calm and away from this everyday stress passed my mind.

I should only worry about my child at the moment. I didn’t deserve hate in Lorenzo’s eyes when I should enjoy these moments instead.

It seems like my child was my only family now. The only person who loved me the most, my mother, passed away years ago. My husband’s grandmother and mother treat me well; I am grateful for what they have done for me, but they aren’t my family members who can share my pain.

Lorenzo had already chosen the woman he wanted to live with.

He didn’t trust me, and it put our child’s safety at risk. I shouldn’t care for him now. I had to be strong for my child.

Shifting to our farmhouse is an option. I could live separately for a while. It was necessary for my health and child’s safety.

And, somebody have to think about it because Lorenzo wasn’t.

I got up from the hospital bed and intended to get discharged sooner. It would be ideal if I left the house before Lorenzo and Aubrey returned.

I walked past the nurses' station and heard the nurses talking. “Aren’t the couple in room 1A the sweetest? He is so doted on his wife.”

I smiled, knowing it would never be Lorenzo and me. I couldn’t help but look in the same direction where they were pointing.

Curiously, I wanted to see and imagine what it looked like. I watched their back as the man gently rubbed the woman’s belly and asked, “Are you feeling good now?” The voice sounded familiar.

The woman’s laughter filled everyone’s heart. “I am better.”

“You should take care of her. Being a father is a responsibility.”

They were clearly in love and passionate about being parents.

My eyes became teary instantly. I could not even imagine myself in that woman’s place.

The doctor was explaining the precautions to the couple, and the man said, “I will take good care of both of them.”

My heart became so heavy. I felt envy. That woman was living my dream. But then the man turned, and I widened my eyes in pure shock.

It was my Lorenzo.

I chewed on my lower lip to hold back my sobs. The woman beside him was Aubrey.

I felt numb. My whole body turned cold. I finally realised why Lorenzo didn’t believe me when I said I was pregnant. Because he was already having a child with Aubery.

They had been secretly living a happy life together. That is why they seemed so close together.

I was the only one who could not see that coming. I was made a fool of. I could not feel the ground under my feet, but I still thanked heaven for letting me see all this with my own eyes.

Now I didn’t want to live separately; I wanted a divorce. I wanted to break the only bond that was holding this cancerous marriage together.

My mother always warned me, “Stay away from Lorenzo. He is good for nothing.”

I had promised my mother that I wouldn’t fall for Lorenzo, but I did anyway and broke that promise.

I was indeed being punished for it. I wiped my tears away and promised that I would live for myself from now on.

I returned to the mansion and called my lawyer to prepare the divorce papers.

I packed only the stuff that I bought with my own money. I decided to write a note for Lorenzo, but there were no words left.

So, I only wrote the necessary. “My lawyer will send you the divorce papers.” I placed the note and my ring on the same table where I hit my belly earlier.

This is where everything had come to an end. Because this is where I chose myself, my child and my self-esteem.