Women were known for having sharp intuition. It was just when I found out I was pregnant that Lori started sending me taunting messages. Sometimes, it was intimate photos of her with Tom, other times it was explicit screenshots of their conversations. She even had the audacity to taunt me:
[You don’t deserve Tom, you know?]
[You’re not as pretty as me. You don’t have a decent background like mine, your education doesn’t compare and you have no idea how to behave in social settings.]
[You being with Tom is just holding him back. You’re no help to him at all.]
[I’m the perfect match for Tom. If you’re smart, you’d leave him. Before he dumps you and makes yourself a fool.]
I was livid, but there was nothing I could do about it.
If it were any other woman, she’d probably throw a fit—cry, scream and threaten to do something drastic. But not me. Growing up in an orphanage, I’d matured far earlier than other people my age. If I were to leave Tom, it wouldn’t be because I wasn’t good enough for him. It’d be the other way around. He wasn’t good enough for me.
My heart has always been strong and if it weren’t for that, I would have crumbled long ago under the weight of the gossip and whispers I endured while working at the fish market. I loved Tom, but my love was only ever true if it was met with the same sincerity and loyalty in return. Now that he had betrayed me and I had lost my child because of his actions, the love I once had for him had faded, no longer holding the intensity it once did.
When I asked for a divorce in that hospital room, Tom froze. I saw the panic flash across his face, his eyes wide with fear.
He quickly said, “Why are you suddenly asking for divorce?”
“No, it’s okay. I’m sure you are just confused. Are you feeling sick? I’ll go get the doctor.”
I shook my head, speaking quietly, “I’m fine, Tom. And I know what I’m asking.”
“Lori’s right. We’re not right for each other,” I went on.
“I don’t have a high education, I’m not particularly smart and I don’t know how to behave in circles of intelligent people. I can’t even help you with your work. So, it’s probably better if…”
“I’m going to tear that bitch’s mouth off!” Before I could finish, he snapped.
“Everything she said is a lie. She’s just jealous of you. Charity, you always told me not to care about what people say. Then why are you letting her words affect you now? Didn’t I tell you that you’re my one and only? There’s no one who could ever replace you in my heart, okay? I swear, I’ll never leave you.”
Before I could say anything, Tom hurriedly added, “Just rest, okay? And get that nonsense out of your head. Tomorrow, I’ll bring Lori here to apologize to you.”
With that, he stormed out of the room, dialing his phone in a fury, no doubt to confront Lori.
I lay in that hospital bed, staring at the miscarriage report in my hands. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
Softly, I whispered, “I’m so sorry, baby. I couldn’t save you. I was too stupid and too naive.”
“Would you come back to me if there’s another life? I promise, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
I cried myself to sleep, the weight of everything too much to bear.
By morning, the sun was already shining brightly through the window.
The chair beside my bed was empty. Tom was gone and I had no idea where he’d gone. But honestly, I didn’t care anymore. I got out of bed, ready to handle my discharge on my own.
That’s when my phone vibrated. It was a message from Lori. She had sent me a video. The timestamp showed it was recorded at three in the morning in her apartment.
