Chapter 2

Joining an international ballet company had always been my dream.

At 20, I'd put that dream on hold for a marriage that was never meant to be, waiting eight long years for something that was never going to happen. But now, at twenty-eight, I'd finally decided I was done waiting.

My phone chimed, and a message from Avery appeared on the screen. "Elle, did you see my social media post?"

Even through the screen, I could sense her panic.

Less than a second later, another message came through, this time from Daniel. "Elle, I'm really sorry I can't come home to spend our wedding night with you. Are you okay there by yourself?"

Their messages arrived almost at the same time, both carefully testing the waters. The timing was painfully conspicuous.

"I'm fine."

"When are you coming back?"

I sent both of them the same replies: "I'm fine. When are you coming back?"

Daniel replied first. "Elle, you know I need time to get my emotions under control. I might not… make it back in time for your birthday this year."

Avery's response followed shortly after. "Elle, I'm on a business trip this week. I've already had your birthday present shipped to you. Please don't be mad, okay?"

Just like the previous seven years, both of them would be absent from my birthday celebration. This year would be no different.

I suddenly remembered something Avery had once told me: she'd first met Daniel on my birthday.

So it wasn't that my birthday was an inconvenient time for them. It was simply that, compared to the anniversary of the day they'd met, my birthday meant nothing to either of them.

I calmly typed out a single-word reply to both of them. "Okay."

…

Early the next morning, I received a reminder from Daniel. "Elle, don't forget your medical checkup today. I won't be able to go with you."

Around the same time, I came across Avery's latest social media post, a picture of a small scrape on her finger. The caption read, "It's just a little scrape, but he insists on taking me to the hospital to get it checked out. What a big dummy!"

I scrolled through the comments, reading one message of support or envy after another, before finally putting my phone away and heading to the hospital.

Three months earlier, Daniel and I had gone hiking together. Halfway up the mountain, he'd left without a word. Terrified, I'd spent the entire night searching for him. By the time I finally gave up, I'd sprained my ankle.

Looking back now, I realized there was only one person who could make him so anxious that he'd abandon me without even bothering to explain where he was going—Avery.

Over the past two months, he'd accompanied me to every follow-up appointment and medical checkup without missing a single one. What he didn't know was that this time, in addition to having my injury checked, I was also undergoing the medical examination required for my move overseas.

…

Just as I arrived at the building housing the clinic that specialized in overseas medical examinations, two familiar figures emerged from the hospital next door.

Daniel and Avery.

At first, neither of them noticed me. Their faces glowed with happiness as they stood together.

"Daniel, am I really going to be a mom? This feels like a dream!"

I froze where I stood, unable to move or look away.

Daniel was so overwhelmed with joy that he couldn't even find the words to respond. He reached out, intending to scoop Avery into his arms and spin her around. But just as he was about to lift her, he caught sight of me from the corner of his eye.

He froze mid-motion, and the smile vanished from his face.

Avery turned around a moment later. The moment she saw me, all the color drained from her face.

"E-Elle, have you been here this whole time?"