I asked the nurse to throw those things away for me, then lay back on the bed and fell asleep. I didn’t know how long I had been sleeping, but I suddenly felt like I couldn’t breathe. When I opened my eyes, I saw the bed was covered with bright, fresh roses.
My throat felt itchy and tight. I quickly covered my mouth and nose.
"Who sent these roses? Take them away!" I coughed painfully as I shouted.
Just then, Michael walked in with his assistant. His face was dark.
"Useless. Don’t you know the lady is allergic to roses? Get them out of here!"
The assistant started crying as she carried the flowers away. Michael gently wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. As soon as he touched my skin, which was already red and itchy from the allergy, I trembled.
"I’m sorry, Elizabeth. The assistant went to the wrong room. Are you alright now?"
The wrong room? Just then, Regina entered the ward with a pale face. She glanced at the roses still being removed and laughed coldly.
"So, the surprise you mentioned was fake. I waited the whole day for it."
"I’m sorry for disturbing your relationship."
She turned to leave.
Michael looked nervous.
"No, it was a mistake. Elizabeth is allergic to roses. I would never give them to her."
Regina's eyes turned red.
"Really?"
"Of course. If you don’t believe me, feel my heartbeat."
Michael took her hand and placed it on his chest. Then, slowly, they moved closer to each other and kissed. I got out of bed, my face swollen. I forced a smile, though it looked worse than crying
"Michael, let’s get a divorce."
When he heard that, he pushed Regina away and stared at me.
"What did you say? Say it again."
I was about to speak when Regina interrupted me. She looked pleased but wiped her lips as if it meant nothing.
"Mrs. Coldsworth, don’t get the wrong idea. I kissed Mr. Coldsworth because of hormones. It didn’t mean anything."
"Honestly, women shouldn’t be too selfish. Many women want a man like Mr. Coldsworth. But he only keeps you around. You should be grateful."
I didn’t even look at her. I just said calmly, "Didn’t your mother teach you not to interrupt people when they’re speaking? Or did you not have a mother?"
Regina’s eyes turned red immediately. Seeing this, Michael raised his hand and slapped me without thinking. It was the first time he had hit me in our eight years of marriage. He seemed to regret it right away, but still stood firm.
"Elizabeth, don’t go too far. You’re an orphan yourself. How can you say something so cruel?!"
I didn’t want to argue anymore. When I left home, my family didn’t help me at all. They even locked my records.
That was why Michael only knew me as an orphan.
But now, who was really in the wrong?
"Yes, I’m cruel, but it’s still better than getting someone pregnant before our divorce!"
"I already told you, what happened with Regina was an accident. You’re hurt and it’s hard for you to get pregnant now. Do you really want me to die without children or grandchildren?!"
Michael’s eyes were cold.
"Elizabeth, when did you become so heartless?"
My lips trembled.
"Why is it hard for me to get pregnant? Don’t you know the reason?"
Michael’s expression changed. He looked nervous, like he wanted to explain.
"Enough! Stop fighting. It’s all my fault, okay?"
Regina screamed, pushed Michael away and ran out of the room. Michael turned to glare at me.
"If anything happens to the child, I won’t forgive you."
"And don’t talk about divorce again. That trick is getting old."
