Caesar's brows furrowed deeply—then,in the next second,his hand cracked across my face.
"Larissa,"he snarled,"seems I've spoiled you too much.How dare you slander me and my sister-in-law like this?Apologize to her—now!"
I turned my head,the sting on my cheek searing straight into my heart.
It was the first time Caesar had ever raised his hand against me.
And it was for her.For Arlene!
Hot tears spilled uncontrollably down my face.
I stared at them both and forced each word out between trembling lips.
"You dared to do it,but you're afraid of me saying it aloud?Dream on if you think I'll apologize!"
Caesar rubbed his temples irritably,but when he saw my tears,a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes.
"Larissa,I...I lost control.I shouldn't have hit you.Let's just forget this ever happened,alright?Neither of us will bring it up again."
He reached out,trying to pull me into his arms like he always did when smoothing things over.
Once,I would have let him.I would have buried the hurt,convinced myself it was love.
But now—I stepped back coldly.
"Why is it that only you get to decide what's forgotten?"I demanded.
"Do you have any idea how much I've suffered this past month?Or do you just not care?"
"Caesar,I'm done.I want a divorce."
The air in the room froze,heavy and suffocating.
A fleeting spark of joy lit up Arlene's eyes,but she quickly masked it with a pitiful sigh.
"Larissa,please don't act on impulse.It's my fault you're upset.I'll move out today—I promise I'll never come between you two again."
"You're not going anywhere!"
Caesar's face darkened as he cut her off sharply,his tone unyielding.
"If you leave,how will I ever fulfill my promise to take care of you?"
Then his gaze swung back to me,filled with impatience.
"You've already brought up divorce twice today.My patience has limits,Larissa.Push me any further and don't blame me if I really turn against you!"
"Don't forget—you're nothing without the Chandler family.Just a divorced woman carrying a child.Aside from me,who else would want you?"
A hollow laugh slipped from my lips.
So that was why he dared to flaunt his intimacy with Arlene right in front of me.
He was certain I wouldn't leave—because of the baby.
I said nothing more.
I just looked at him one last time,then turned and walked out,heading straight to the hospital to book an abortion.
The doctor stared at me in shock.
"You just had a prenatal check-up this morning—the baby is perfectly healthy.Why the sudden decision?Don't act rashly!"
She sighed heavily,her voice soft with pity.
"You spent half a year on injections and endless medication to conceive this child.Are you really ready to throw it all away?"
My fists clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms.My heart ached with unbearable reluctance.
With trembling hands,I dialed Caesar's number.
"If you make Arlene move out now,and swear never to have anything to do with her again,I'll forgive you.One last time."
There was a long silence.Then his voice came through,cold and impatient.
"Larissa,my life belongs to my brother.He's gone.How can it be wrong for me to care for his wife?I will never drive her out.If you can't accept it,then leave yourself."
And with that,he hung up.
By then,my tears had blurred the world into nothing but gray.
I turned to the doctor and whispered hoarsely,"I love this child...but I can't bring him into a world where his father's heart will never belong to us."
The doctor sighed again,but said no more.
As I lay on the cold,sterile operating table,my hand instinctively caressed my swollen belly.
Five months of struggle and sacrifice.
No one cherished this child more than I did.
But I had no choice.
"I'm sorry,baby,"I whispered silently.
"In our next life,let's never cross paths with Caesar again."
The anesthesia seeped into my veins.
My world grew heavy,blurred,and dark.
Within moments,I sank into unconsciousness...
