Every frame of the video felt like a dagger to my heart, yet I forced myself to endure the pain and watch it all.
“Hello? Do you still want to book this surgery?”
Snapping back to reality, I realized my hands were trembling so much I could barely hold my phone steady.
My voice came out hoarse when I spoke. “Yes, as soon as possible.”
After arranging everything, I collapsed onto the bed, utterly drained. Tears flowed uncontrollably as if they would never stop.
I curled up tightly, wrapping my arms around myself, letting the suffocating darkness swallow me whole.
Ritchie didn’t come home until almost dawn.
This was the first time in five years he hadn’t returned for the night.
A few flakes of snow clung to his hair as he burst in like an excited child, carrying a food box.
“Portia, I went out overnight to get your favorite pastries. A happy mood is the most important thing for a pregnant mommy! Try them and see if they taste just like before!”
He eagerly unpacked the box, muttering to himself as he worked.
“I closed a new deal yesterday, got a whole island! Since you love pink lychees, I’ll plant the entire island with them—your very own pink lychee paradise!”
He held the pastries like precious treasures and placed them in front of me, only to realize I hadn’t said a single word since he entered.
When he saw my tear-streaked face and my swollen, red eyes, his expression tightened, and his voice trembled.
“Portia, why… Why are you crying like this? Did someone upset you?”
I laughed, curling my lips into a faint smile as I avoided his touch. “You know that pregnant women need to stay in a good mood, right? Then you should also know that crying is normal, too.”
He let out a breath of relief. “It’s my fault for not being considerate enough. I’ll stay home with you for the next few days, okay? I won’t go to the office.”
“If you want anything,” he added, “I’ll have it delivered. If you’re craving something, I’ll make it myself.”
I shook my head calmly. “I didn’t sleep well last night. I just want to get some rest now.”
I also informed him, “Oh, by the way, a relative back home is sick, so I’ll be going back to visit tomorrow. You can go about your work; don’t worry about me.”
Turning away from him, I faced the other side. Once everything was settled and I left, I wouldn’t come back. Before that, I thought I should see them one last time, as a way of bidding farewell to the past.
Ritchie couldn’t bear to leave me alone and insisted on accompanying me, despite my repeated refusals.
Not far from my hometown, relatives were already waiting on the roadside to greet us.
When they saw me and Ritchie together, their smiles stretched wide.
“I told you! If Portia came back, Ritchie would definitely come with her! He treats her like a treasure—he’s afraid to drop her if he holds her too tight, and afraid she’ll melt if he spoils her too much. There’s no way he’d let her come back alone!”
Ritchie responded politely, handing out gifts he had prepared to everyone.
Some relatives who recognized the items couldn’t help but exclaim, “These are the best health supplements you can find! Every time they visit, they bring such expensive gifts—it’s almost embarrassing!”
“Oh, Portia, you’re so lucky! Born in this poor, remote village, but you found someone who adores you to the bone!”
“Exactly! Most of our income over the years has been thanks to this girl's luck!”
As they continued their flattery, a long luxury car pulled up in front of everyone.
Esther stepped out, exuding arrogance. With a wave of her hand, the bodyguards behind her began distributing gifts to everyone.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me about this reunion? A few years ago, when I was down and out, you all helped me. Doesn’t that make me like a family member too?”
