Valerie turned and bolted into bathroom, where she in front the toilet bowl, vomiting violently. “Valerie, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick? Don’t me like this. ” Andrew clearly rattled her condition. His voice trembled he said, on. I’ll get the He hurried the door, stumbling in his panic, leaving Valerie as she continued to retch. Seeing in such a state stirred something me, despite the numbness that had settled over heart. couldn’t help but be reminded of when she was pregnant with Nina. She had been as then, though I too inexperienced to recognize the signs, and she deliberately kept it from me. “Valerie, do you remember our I asked, my voice and devoid of strength. My gaze was hollow, but beneath the surface, onto sliver of hope. “Jeffrey, what nonsense are you talking snapped between bouts of nausea, glaring me with a mixture of anger and resentment. It was if my made no sense to her. Of she didn’t remember. Any hope I crumbled that moment. My eyes locked onto hers, cold and unyielding. been years. often dream of you She’s always so lively, so full of joy. “She was your child too. How could you be so back then? If she known her cruel woman, maybe she wouldn’t have wanted be born at all. voice was so hoarse it was audible, but I saw the shock in Valerie’s eyes. Her hand instinctively moved to her abdomen. “Valerie, your child will regret being conceived by someone like you. go back to Heaven and an angel instead. “And even if they come this world, they’ll hate you refuse to acknowledge you as their I added, voice laced with bitterness and venom. In that moment of Valerie’s stunned silence, I her, knock her down ensure that would the same fate as my daughter. couldn’t bring to harm an innocent child, no matter how much rage boiled inside me. Instead, I chose the next best I cursed Valerie and with all the I could muster, wishing nothing but misery and misfortune. “Shut Jeffrey!” Valerie screamed, clutching stomach as forced herself to stand. stormed over to me, pointing shaking finger at my face. “When did become so vicious? You used to be so kind! It’s an unborn child–why would you curse them that?” “I’m cursing cursing you and Andrew. You two will never find happiness! What’s the After all these of a heartless woman, you suddenly developed a “Do you think you can just switch to being a loving mother? What my daughter? She even got see world. her mother, don’t feel even the slightest bit of guilt?” eyes into which were wide with fury. Each word I uttered was cutting deep. But in truth, I knew it matter. 2/3 matter how I she would still Andrew’s child if she wanted to. By then, I would long down by illness, buried in the alongside my parents and Nina. I already them laughing and playing over graves–the thought me to stómach. I couldn’t bear of future, tried to plant a seed of in her mind, hoping take root. But that would only if she had even a shred of conscience left. “I… I was…” Valerie’s voice was trembling now, with a mix of guilt and anger, she couldn’t quite find the to explain herself. Her attempt shift the blame was half–hearted and ultimately unspoken. Seeing the slight in demeanor brought flicker of to me. I at her with cold as frozen lake. “We’re already you’re pregnant another child. you’re clinging onto me and causing trouble. Valerie, don’t you think that’s pathetic? Or is it that just a master at playing both sides? Once lose control, you crumble?” “I… Jeffrey, you… You bastard!” The in my eyes caused Valerie to stamp her and shriek. say more, her face turned pale, and she collapsed onto ground. Just Andrew burst in with a doctor. His face was a mask of and fear. hang in here! The doctor’s here!” He scooped wailing as were at a funeral. the doctor cut through the chaos. Get to the examination room immediately. ” Realizing the Andrew hastily carried Valerie the room. A little he reappeared in my his earlier by a look of smug satisfaction. “Surprise, Valerie not because of illness, but because pregnant. Didn’t see that coming, did you? “You didn’t even consider that, especially since hasn’t let you her. You’re too cowardly to cheat, so you have forgotten what a woman feels like. “She didn’t want me to use protection. if she got pregnant, she’d have the and even give the child the company shares. ” Andrew gloated with a grin as he leaned casually against a chair to at me, his smugness on arrogance. But all I a lingering ache in heart. For what Valerie for Andrew, and for my daughter who never the chance to come into this world. “You don’t really think you’re the only man in her life, do you’re young maybe a bit charming. But given Valerie’s status, she could have any she wants. “What you think she’d stay just you? Besides, knows how other boys she’s got on the side? I’ve seen a few myself. That could anyone’s. ” looked Andrew with a cold, detached gaze. My tone was steady emotionless, but every word I spoke cut through his smug like a blade. Andrew was face turning to one of shock and anger. was struggling to reconcile my words with his own beliefs. He deep with she could have wanted. It naive to believe that he was the sole exception. In reality, however, had involved Andrew for the two years. Still, I push his buttons. If my guess was correct, Andrew must have informed Valerie that my was due to a cold, making her I was putting on show. I was merely using tactics against him. “You’re making things Andrew’s denial was fierce. were red with fury as he stared me, to accept truth. As he stood up, he grabbed and raised fist, as the sharp sound of a phone him.