2

Chapter 2

The next morning, the sky was overcast like it was about to rain.

I put on sunglasses and a mask, clutching the hospital payment slip, cold wind seeping into my sleeves in icy waves.

I hadn't slept.

All night I wondered—if I could do it all over again, would I have noticed something the first time he fixed a light for Evelyn?

But thinking about it now was meaningless.

I sat in the waiting area for the nurse to call my number.

My fingertips traced the "Pregnancy Termination Application Form," the paper's edge digging into my skin.

Just then, I heard someone laughing softly down the corridor.

The voice was soft, familiar.

I looked up.

It was Evelyn.

She wore a light-colored maternity dress, her face carrying a sickly, delicate smile.

And the person accompanying her was—Alexander.

He was looking down at her ultrasound report, focused as if reading the world's most important document.

She pointed at something on the report, a smile on her lips. Alexander's eyes held a rare gentleness.

The scene was too ironic.

I suddenly felt like an audience member who had wandered onto the wrong set.

I was about to turn and leave, but just as I stood up, Alexander looked up.

Our eyes met.

That look—I'll never forget it.

Shock, annoyance, and in that instant—wariness.

He frowned and quickly walked over, asking in a low voice: "Are you following me?"

I froze. That last shred of dignity inside me was nearly crushed by his words.

I laughed coldly: "This is a public hospital, not your private laboratory. Do I need your permission to be here?"

Evelyn quickly reached out to grab his sleeve, her tone gentle: "Alex, don't be like this. Maybe it's a misunderstanding."

She looked up at me, tears gleaming in her eyes.

"Clara, please don't misunderstand... I know this is hard for you, but I just want a child. After Ethan left, I've been so lonely."

I looked at her pitiful appearance and felt only absurdity.

If she just wanted "a child," this city had countless sperm banks.

She specifically chose my husband.

I looked at her coldly: "Loneliness doesn't give you the right to steal someone else's family for warmth."

She froze, tears falling with a "plop." The next second, her body swayed slightly, pretending to stumble.

Alexander immediately caught her, his tone urgent: "Evelyn, be careful! Don't get upset."

Then he turned to glare at me: "She's pregnant. Do you realize you almost made her fall?!"

I was speechless at this sudden accusation.

"I didn't touch her." I tried to remain calm.

"But you provoked her!" He cut me off, his tone like a verdict.

"Clara, you've gone too far. She's carrying Ethan's child, and you're still pushing her like this?"

I stared at him, the last bit of softness in my heart finally crumbling to ash.

"Ethan's child?" I laughed coldly. "But whose name is written in the 'father' column—have you forgotten?"

His expression faltered, but he still clung to his righteous pride: "I only donated sperm. Her child has nothing to do with me."

"Nothing to do with you?" I stepped closer, my voice low and steady. "Then why did you personally accompany her for prenatal checkups? Why you, and not Ethan's family?"

He opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

The air felt heavy as death.

I suddenly felt exhausted.

I watched them—him carefully supporting her as they walked out, while I stood at the end of the corridor like an outsider.

I took a breath and smiled.

"Alexander," I said softly, "I have a question."

He frowned, looking at me impatiently: "What?"

I raised my head and looked directly into his eyes.

"If I came here today for an abortion—would you stay?"