Chapter 5

At 3 PM, I sat in the hospital consultation room.

The sunlight outside the window was blinding.

The doctor finished reviewing the materials, looked up at me, and spoke in a calm tone:

"Mr. Mason, terminating a pregnancy requires confirmation from the pregnant woman herself."

"As her husband, you can accompany her and sign some of the documents, but you cannot make the decision for her."

I nodded.

Actually, before I came, I already knew.

It was Lara's body.

Even if I hated her, even if I no longer wanted this child, I shouldn't be the one to put her on the operating table.

But I still came.

Because I needed to hear a clear statement with my own ears before I could extinguish the last bit of hope in my heart.

The doctor pushed the form back, his voice softening somewhat:

"If you're just having marital problems, I suggest resolving the relationship first."

"Children shouldn't be used as bargaining chips."

I lowered my eyes, my fingertips gripping tighter bit by bit.

I wasn't being petulant.

I finally understood that once this child was born, Lara and I could never cut ties cleanly.

My phone vibrated once on the table.

The screen lit up with a message from Lara:

"Honey, I just picked out a baby stroller."

"It's made so beautifully. He'll definitely love it."

I stared at those two lines of text, my vision blurring.

I suddenly remembered the day we found out about the pregnancy.

When the test results were handed to me, Lara froze first, then tears filled her eyes the next second.

She hugged me, laughing in the living room like a child.

"I'm going to be a mom?"

"Mason, I'm going to be a mom!"

That night she leaned on my shoulder and talked about so much.

Said the nursery should be painted light blue, or light yellow would be good too.

Said I should choose the name.

Said no matter how busy she was, she'd come home on time to be with me and the child.

Back then, I really believed her.

I thought this child would warm up the cold places between us again.

But now, the same person was sending me baby stroller photos while leaving ambiguous traces in Parker's social media during the night.

Sincerity and betrayal could actually exist on the same face.

I pressed the phone screen dark and said quietly to the doctor:

"Thank you."

"I understand."

When I came out of the hospital, the lawyer was already waiting for me at the entrance.

He handed over the drafted agreement.

"Mr. Mason, the agreement states that if Ms. Lara insists on having the child, subsequent custody, visitation rights, child support, and property division can all enter separate clauses."

"However, whether to terminate the pregnancy cannot be unilaterally decided by you under the law."

I took the documents. The pages were light but felt like they weighed a thousand pounds.

"Then let's divorce first."

"The child's matter will follow legal procedures."

The lawyer nodded.

"Understood."

When I got home that evening, I'd just pushed open the door when I heard familiar laughter in the living room.

Parker sat on the sofa while Lara poured him hot water.

Seeing me, he immediately stood up, his eyes reddening, his tone sickeningly soft.

"Mason, you're back."

"I drank too much last night and talked nonsense. Please don't take it to heart."

He walked forward two steps, as if sincerely apologizing.

"Lara and I have just been fooling around since we were kids. I can't keep my mouth shut."

"She's pregnant now, and you're emotionally sensitive. I understand."

"I'll be more careful about boundaries from now on and won't let you misunderstand again."

The words were apologetic, but the knife was hidden in every syllable.

As if all of this was just me, the husband, making a mountain out of a molehill.

Lara also spoke up, her tone certain:

"I already said it was a misunderstanding."

"From now on, let's live our lives well and raise the child properly. That's more important than anything."

"You're about to be a father. Stop overthinking and getting jealous all the time."

I leaned against the doorway, pale-faced, feeling exhausted even lifting my hand.

Parker saw the hospital documents in my hand and exclaimed with fake surprise:

"Mason, why do you look so terrible? You didn't go to the hospital for random tests and scare yourself, did you?"

"Men shouldn't be so sensitive."

"Lara still has a baby in her belly. Don't use the child as leverage in a fight."

I slowly raised my hand and waved it lightly.

"Stop acting."

The living room fell silent.

I looked at Lara and spoke word by word:

"I don't want this child anymore."

Lara's expression instantly froze.

"What did you say?"

Before I could answer, the lawyer behind me stepped forward and handed over documents.

The pages opened. Black text, clear and piercing.

"Divorce Agreement."

The lawyer's tone was steady:

"Ms. Lara, this is the divorce agreement drafted by Mr. Mason. Please review it."

"Regarding the child, the agreement clearly states: if you insist on giving birth, Mr. Mason will fulfill his legal obligations."

"But this marriage—he has decided to terminate it."