You Gain One, You Lose One

When I learned it was a miscarriage, I called Adrian Randall more than ten times. But no one answered.My best friend, Celeste Logan, a gynecologist, held my hand and comforted me for a long time before I finally agreed to get on the operating table.Because I had a low tolerance for anesthesia, I woke up in pain several times. Each time, I hoped to see Adrian by my side. But he wasn't there.It wasn't until after the surgery that he sent a message that read, "Katelyn is my patient. I have a responsibility toward her. I hope you understand."Every time he left me to deal with Katelyn Russo, he would send me a similar message.Clutching my stomach, I sat in Celeste's office to rest. I lifted my hand and typed a line of text into our chat: "But this time, I needed you more."After thinking about it, I deleted it and typed a new message: "Okay, Dr. Randall."Even though Celeste tried to persuade me to stay in the hospital to rest, I didn't heed her advice. If I did as she suggested

I was about to knock on the door but stopped mid-motion when I recognized the voice as Adrian's.Katelyn was sobbing. "But this is a life we're talking about. I can't bear to let him go."Adrian's voice was filled with unprecedented anger. "Why do you insist on having a child with him? Why does he get to, while I—""Adrian!" Katelyn interrupted him. Then, she asked in a quivering voice, "Have you lost your mind?"I curled my hand, still posed to knock, into a fist.In the three years I had been with Adrian, no matter how much I cried or argued with him over Katelyn, he had never been this angry.Everyone said Adrian was calm and collected, never one to lose his temper. As it turned out, it was just because he hadn't met someone who could truly stir his emotions.A soft whine came from Adrian. "Sorry, I was too impulsive. Just pretend I didn't say anything."When the room fell silent, I knocked on the door."Dr. Randall, are you here? I have a medical case that needs your atten

Behind Adrian was a freshly baked cake."I said I would make up for your birthday." He smiled at me. "Did you think I forgot?"I looked at the beautifully decorated cake and smiled. I said, "Yeah. I'm quite surprised.""Wendy." He looked at me. "I know you've been upset these past few days. It's my fault for not noticing sooner that something was off. But—""The cake smells delicious." I cut in, leaning down to take a whiff before turning to him with an outstretched hand. "Did you bring the candles?"He was caught off guard by my interruption but eventually handed me the candles, gazing at me with a look that seemed like he wanted to say something but was holding himself back.I evenly spaced the candles into the frosting.He frowned and said, "Wendy, you—"I extended my hand toward him again. "Where's the lighter?"He looked displeased. Nevertheless, he still handed me the lighter."Don't talk now. Making a wish is a sacred moment.""Alright."I lit the candles and clasped

"Stop talking nonsense. We're just colleagues," I said. "Would a colleague stay by your side all night if you fainted? It's not like we weren't there to witness it.""You misunderstood. We're just good partners. If one person collapses, it's normal for the other to care."My colleagues gave me skeptical looks."Well, he didn't even sleep a wink the whole night. You should've seen the way Dr. Randall looked at you when you passed out."I smiled but had no response to offer. They probably hadn't seen how Adrian looked at Katelyn when anything bad happened to her.I insisted, "You guys have really gotten it all wrong. He and I are just close colleagues.""Is that so? Why don't you look behind you then?"I turned around.Adrian was sitting at the single table by the window in his usual attire. The ice cubes in his drink had already melted, and water droplets ran down the side of the glass, dampening the surrounding surface. Yet, his hand remained resting on the glass."He sat th

I shoved the ring box into Adrian's hand and said, "Hold onto this properly. Katelyn's still waiting for you.""But this is for you," he said.His words caused everyone to gasp collectively."Thank you." I smiled gently. "But it's not going to happen."Another collective gasp sounded, followed by whispers."What does she mean by that?""Could it be that the two of them…""Um… We have other matters to attend to. You two stay and chat."Soon, the office cleared out, leaving just Adrian and me.Adrian looked at me, waiting for me to say something, like I usually did.I shoved my hands into my coat pockets and asked, "How about we grab something to eat?"He tried to steady his breath. "Aren't you going to explain yourself?"I smiled at him. "Let's not talk about that. What do you say we go to that steakhouse where we first met?"…"It's really hard to get a chance to sit down and have a proper chat with you," I said, sitting across from Adrian. I handed him the menu.Instead