In the days that followed, I was busy arranging Mom's funeral. In the end, I laid her to rest in the cemetery near my home.
She had been my last surviving family member. Once she was gone, I no longer felt attached to the city.
Leaving the cemetery, I took a cab straight to the hospital. Today was the day I had scheduled my abortion.
Before entering the operating room, I looked at my phone one last time.
William had claimed he was away on a business trip these past few days and hadn't come home. He sent me messages every day without fail.
"I just finished a meeting. It looks like this deal will go through. If it does, I'll buy you a necklace."
"This trip is exhausting. Honey, make sure you rest well at home. Take care of yourself and our baby."
Yet, at the same time, Caroline had been posting photo after photo of the two of them traveling.
They went to the beach, where William wrote their names in the sand and drew a huge heart around them.
They climbed a mountain. He held her hand the entire way and shouted his love for her when they reached the summit.
They went shopping. He bought her clothes and jewelry piece by piece, then packed everything up to ship home.
...
I didn't reply to a single one of William's messages.
When the procedure was over, my hand went instinctively to my belly. For a moment, I felt dazed. That place had once nurtured a life, but now, it was empty.
Still, I knew this was the best choice for both me and the child. I wouldn't let my baby be born illegitimate. I would never give him a father who shirked responsibility.
As I was wheeled out of the operating room, another message from William came in.
"The deal went through. Honey, I got you a gift. I'll be back next week."
"Let's have our wedding again next Saturday. Invite your mother to be there. I promise I'll make you the happiest bride in the world."
He attached a photo of two delicate diamond rings in a velvet box.
I had imagined countless times what it would feel like for him to slip a ring onto my finger, each time overwhelmed with excitement and joy.
However, my heart felt calm—so calm it almost felt numb. I even felt disgust.
I glanced at my flight booking. Next Saturday happened to be the day I would leave.
So, I replied to him. "Okay. I'll prepare a surprise for you too."
