But this child was the tie binding me to Aiden Henson—and it had to be cut.
After taking a number, on the way to the gynecology department, a completely unremarkable girl walked straight up to me.
"Isabel, do you have a pad?"
She covered herself with both hands, a spot of red showing through—her period had leaked.
Out of sympathy, I gave her a new pack. And because of that, I was targeted by a group of people.
They grabbed my hair and slammed my head into the wall, spewing filthy insults.
"Everyone, look! This old hag is jealous—she's practically menopausal herself, so she's tormenting a college girl!"
The girl who'd borrowed pads from me stood in the middle of the crowd, a trace of provocation in her eyes.
I remembered her. She was the college student in Aiden's bed last night.
People really can't be judged by appearances. Such a frail, gentle-looking girl—yet when she spread rumors, she was vicious.
"At a young girl's most vulnerable moment, this old woman put insect eggs in the pad!"
"Look, she even registered for gynecology—maybe she's got some dirty disease?"
"Strip her clothes off and let's see what she's hiding!"
They raised their phones, shutters clicking relentlessly at my face.
Two fists can't beat four hands. I curled up on the ground, clutching my clothes tightly. The medical staff didn't dare intervene, afraid of getting burned.
Right before my clothes were torn apart, a familiar figure squeezed through the crowd.
With me surrounded by everyone, he found that college student with perfect accuracy and pulled her out first.
He shielded her carefully. Only when someone called my name did he seem to remember something and squeeze back in. After scanning the crowd for a long moment, he finally pulled me out.
"Isabel, give me your hand!"
I'd barely caught my breath when his scolding crashed over me like a wave.
"Isabel! Why are you still using such despicable methods? Are you trying to ruin her?"
"What happened to you? Did getting older make your heart more vicious too?"
"If you keep this up, I won't marry you!"
I looked into his eyes. My throat felt stuffed with cotton, making it almost impossible to breathe. It took everything I had to stay standing.
I opened my mouth, but in the end, I only managed a flat "Mm." No explanation would work. He'd never believed me. He'd never been afraid of losing me.
But old?
I'd just turned twenty-five. Even if I wasn't as young as that college student, I shouldn't be called old.
That night at the bar, when I was taking the marriage certificate photo with someone else, the staff had even said I looked young.
Aiden reached out, frowning, a trace of regret flickering across his face.
"I'm sorry. I was too anxious. I spoke too harshly."
I curled my lips into a faint smile.
"It's fine." After crying too many times, his instinctive cruelty couldn't hurt me anymore.
One or two harsh words also made it easier to see him clearly.
He moved to hug me. I stepped back.
This wasn't behavior that should exist between us anymore.
Thinking that, I felt I should tell him about my marriage again.
"Aiden, actually, I've already—"
Behind me, Tessa spoke up, cutting me off.
"Aiden, it hurts... I think it's infected."
He let go of me instantly and turned to leave.
I watched his retreating back, and the last trace of attachment in my eyes disappeared.
This wasn't the first time he'd chosen someone else when given a choice between us.
