Chapter 3
“Doctor, doctor, help! My water broke, someone, please come quickly.”
With a bang, Teon flung open the door, poked his head out, and shouted. Then he rushed back inside, kneeling by Hiral’s bedside, gripping her hand tightly.
“Hang in there, sweetheart, the doctor will be here soon.”
A swarm of nurses, doctors, her husband, and mother–in–law pushed the hospital bed towards the operating room, none noticing me sitting outside.
Outside the operating room, Teon and the mother–in–law paced back and forth, nervously watching the “In Surgery” sign,
1/9
Chapter 3
+ 5 Points
continuously muttering “God, please bless us,” joining their hands in prayer, or making the sign of the cross, seeking every deity they could think of.
I had fantasized countless times about being the one inside, giving birth, imagining how they’d react outside.
But nothing compared to witnessing it firsthand.
They were anxious, worried, hopeful, and prayerful.
But now, it wasn’t me in there, it was Hiral.
“Congratulations to the new dad, it’s a boy!“.
The operating room doors finally opened, and the nurse, holding the newborn, happily announced the good news.
2/9
Chapter 3
+ 5 Points
“I have a son, I have a son!”
“Oh, my dear grandson, he’s beautiful!”
Teon and the mother–in–law crowded in excitedly, unable to take their eyes off the little baby.
“Look, the baby’s eyes look just like yours.”
In the hospital room, the entire family gathered around Hiral, doting on the baby.
Hiral’s parents had been brought over by Teon to share in the joy.
Her mother–in–law was chatting pleasantly with them, even discussing the baby’s name. They decided to call him “Bebe,” which
means “baby”
3/9
Chapter 3
Both families, like in–laws, surrounded Teon and Hiral, offering advice on postpartum care, feeding, what milk to use, and how to dress the baby.
Teon and Hiral, like newlyweds, blushed shyly, holding each other’s hands and basking in the awkward happiness.
Meanwhile, I remained mistaken by the nurse as one of their relatives, covering all their expenses.
But calling me family wouldn’t be wrong, since I shared a marriage certificate withi Teon–though it seemed like I was the only one who remembered that in the hospital
room.
I stood at the doorway and sent Teon a text:
“Let’s get divorced.”
4/9
Chapter 3
+ 5 Points
Returning home, I hurriedly packed my bags, not wanting to stay a moment longer.
But as I opened the closet, the scent of laundry detergent hit me, our clothes hanging together, intricately intertwined.
I sifted through, taking out my clothes one by one, and suddenly, the overcrowded closet rod appeared spacious, leaving Teon’s clothes hanging there starkly alone.
packed everything related to me, filling two suitcases with the remnants of myself in this house.
As for the wedding photo by the bedside, I decided to burn it to ashes and flushed them down the toilet.
After that, this place had nothing to do with
5/9
Chapter 3
+5 Points
- me.
As I stepped out the door, I looked up at the sky; the sunlight was glaring, like a blazing fire, ready to burn away everything from the past.
“Vallyn, are you leaving?”
Fawzaan appeared at the door, sweating and holding bags.
The bags seemed to contain baby formula, diapers, bottles… a range of baby supplies.
“Yes, I’m leaving. You can put the things inside yourself”
I thought he must have heard about Hiral having her baby and came to visit. After all, back in school, when Fawzaan was top of his class, Hiral pursued him fiercely, and
6/9
hapter 2
- Po
everyone talked about them being together Now, it wasn’t surprising he brought something for his former girlfriend or friend.
I stepped aside to let him pass and moved my suitcase outside.
“How can a pregnant woman carry so much? Let me help.”
Seeing me about to leave, Fawzaan, in a panic, shoved the bags into his car and rushed over to grab my suitcase.
“Pregnant?” I gave him a confused look. Could he think I was pregnant?
“I’m not pregnant.”
Fawzaan’s outstretched hand froze mid–air.
“Oh, at the hospital that day…” His eyes were
7/9
Chapter 3
+5 Points
filled with confusion.
“That wasn’t me, it was Hiral”
“But when I went to the room, I saw Teon. Aren’t you two married?”
Fawzaan’s voice grew smaller, as if he realized something, looking at me awkwardly.
“Yes, he’s with Hiral.”
I met his gaze and spoke the truth. Since I was getting a divorce, nothing mattered anymore. Whom Teon was with was his business, not mine.
Fawzaan opened his mouth to say something, but seemed unsure, standing there bewildered.
8/9
Chapter 3
+ 5 Points
I slipped past him, pulling my suitcase along.
Then a hand reached out and stopped the suitcase handle.
“How about we celebrate?”
Fawzaan stepped forward, looking directly at me, taking the luggage from my hands as he awaited my answer.
“Sure.”
I agreed happily, ready to celebrate my new
life.
