Chapter 3

The nurse looked up, startled.

"A termination? Are you sure? You're nearly four months along. A procedure at this stage carries serious risks to your health."

"I'm sure."

I looked at her and nodded firmly.

Blood draw. Ultrasound. EKG.

When the battery of tests was finished, I sat outside the operating room and waited.

My phone screen lit up.

Vivian had posted an update.

The photos showed flowers, a diamond ring, a Ferris wheel.

Adrian was down on one knee before her.

The caption read:

"He said he wanted to propose where we were closest to the sky, and promised me forever."

The comments were already packed with people from the alumni group.

"That's so romantic. I know it's just for the bucket list, but still—how beautiful."

"If Claire has any sense, she'll stop bothering them during Vivian's final days and just bow out."

"This is what real love looks like."

I stared quietly at the proposal photo.

Adrian had never proposed to me.

Six months ago, on an ordinary evening, we'd been sitting in a cheap little sidewalk restaurant, splitting a grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of tomato soup.

He'd said it offhandedly:

"We've been together four years. Let's get married."

No ring. No flowers.

But that night, I'd cried tears of joy all the same.

"Claire Hale, the doctor is ready for you."

In the operating room, cold instruments tugged at my lower abdomen.

I clenched my teeth until they ached.

I could feel it clearly—my love for Adrian being stripped from my body, piece by piece.

When the procedure was over, the sky had already gone dark.

The city's neon lights flickered on.

Adrian hadn't called. Not once.

I dragged my weakened body, step by step, up to the intensive care ward.

My mother lay in her bed, still unconscious.

"Mom, I'm leaving."

"I'm leaving Adrian."

The moment the words left my mouth, the heart rate monitor spiked with a sudden, violent beep.

I knew she'd heard me.

On the day of the wedding, Adrian had ripped the gown off my body to fulfill Vivian's wish, then turned around and walked through the entire ceremony with her.

They exchanged rings on stage. They kissed with feeling.

And I stood there in nothing but my underwear, pushed aside.

In a hall full of mocking laughter, only my mother had pulled off her coat and wrapped me in her arms, crying too hard to speak.

My phone buzzed twice in my pocket.

Adrian had finally sent a message.

"How did the checkup go?"

"Vivian's worn out, so I'm bringing her to the hospital for a follow-up. I'll pick you up while I'm at it."

His concern was always an afterthought.

I didn't reply.

I was about to leave when the door to the room was pushed open from outside.

"Oh my, is Auntie still sleeping?"

Vivian strolled in like she owned the place.

"Claire, with your mother in this condition, she's probably not going to wake up, is she? Poor thing."

I looked at her coldly.

"Get out. You're not welcome here."

Vivian didn't leave. Instead, she thrust her hand in front of my face and flicked her hair aside for effect.

On her ring finger, a familiar diamond ring caught the light.

It was the ring my father had placed in Adrian's hands before he died.

My father had said it was the token of love between him and my mother.

He'd entrusted it to Adrian with one plea: take care of my daughter.

I ground my teeth. "Where did you get that?"

Vivian smiled triumphantly.

"Adrian proposed to me. Of course he'd use the best ring."

Rage shattered every last thread of reason.

I lunged for it.

"Give it back!"

But Vivian shoved me—hard.

I'd just come out of surgery. The force of it sent me crashing into the medical supply cabinet beside the bed.

Searing pain exploded through my lower abdomen.

But Vivian instantly dropped the smug expression.

She raised her hand and slapped herself across the face—hard—then threw herself to her knees in front of me, clutching her cheek, wailing.

"I'm sorry, Claire! It's all my fault!"

"It's because I'm dying—I didn't mean to steal Adrian from you!"

"Hit me, yell at me, whatever it takes to make you feel better..."