Chapter 2: Emily's Story

"Then allow me to help you."

Emily looked up in surprise at Alexander's words.

"Help me...?"

"Yes. But I wouldn't recommend rushing into a divorce based on emotion alone."

Alexander continued in his calm, measured voice.

"Divorce isn't just about how you feel. There's your living situation, your finances, and your baby to consider. A lot of things need to be sorted out."

Emily caught her breath.

Divorce.

She'd said the word so firmly, yet she hadn't thought about what would come afterward.

Could she really give birth to this baby and raise it all on her own?

Anxiety began to overwhelm her.

"But please, don't worry."

Alexander offered her a gentle smile.

"If we take things one step at a time, we'll find a way forward."

His reassuring expression helped ease some of the tension in her shoulders.

"First, may I ask whether your husband is currently employed?"

"...No."

"How long has he been out of work?"

"Six months. He was laid off from his company."

"And who's been covering your living expenses?"

"I have."

Alexander's expression grew slightly more serious.

"Including the rent?"

"Yes. The rent, utilities, groceries... Everything."

Emily gave a bitter little smile.

"I worked at the café during the day and at a supermarket in the evenings."

She'd been exhausted every single day.

But Ryan had seemed so devastated after losing his job.

How could she possibly blame him?

"It's only until I find another job."

That was what he'd told her.

And she'd believed him.

"Your husband has been looking for work, then?"

"That's what he told me."

Emily slowly lowered her gaze.

"But now that I think about it... I don't think he was."

The voice she'd heard over the phone echoed in her mind.

"Come on, Ryan, baby..."

That sickeningly sweet woman's voice.

It told her everything she needed to know.

"All I wanted was to tell him I was pregnant."

The confession slipped from her lips.

Alexander listened without interrupting.

"I really thought he'd be happy."

A tear fell onto the table.

"But instead..."

"Emily."

Alexander spoke her name gently.

"There's nothing shameful about trusting someone."

She looked up at him.

"You simply placed your trust in the wrong person."

His words touched something deep inside her.

He hadn't blamed her.

He hadn't laughed at her.

For the first time that day, Emily felt as though someone wasn't judging her for what had happened.

"Thank you..."

"There's no need to thank me."

Alexander had barely finished speaking when the smartphone lying on the table began to vibrate violently.

Bzzzz! Bzzzz!

The moment Emily saw the name flashing across the screen, her expression froze.

Ryan Carter.

The phone wouldn't stop ringing.

Even when the call finally ended, another came through almost immediately.

Bzzzz!

Bzzzz!

Bzzzz!

"...You don't have to answer."

Alexander's voice remained calm.

"You're in no condition to make decisions under this kind of pressure."

Emily gripped her phone with trembling fingers.

Eventually, the calls stopped.

But then the messages began.

Ding!

Ryan: Where the hell are you?

Ding!

Ryan: Answer your damn phone!

Ding!

Ryan: Don't screw with me!

One notification after another filled her screen.

Then, when Emily read the final message, all the color drained from her face.

Ryan: WHO THE HELL WAS THAT MAN WHO ANSWERED YOUR PHONE?!