While waiting in line for a hospital checkup, I ran into Michael Shaw, who was accompanying his wife for a prenatal visit.
After a long silence, he greeted me gently,
"Nicole Young, you've thought it through now. A woman needs a child—someone to rely on."
I gave a faint smile and handed him the pregnancy test results.
He narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening gradually.
"Nicole, you... you didn’t want to be childless?"
I curled my lips into a smile but stayed silent.
He probably didn’t know that during our premarital checkup, I had been diagnosed with congenital infertility. To save his pride, I had insisted it was a health issue and that I wished to remain childless.
He studied me with a complex look, finally asking,
"Is he good to you? You love him very much, don’t you?"
I smiled but didn’t answer.
What could I say to someone who didn’t understand love?
——
I took back the pregnancy test results and just as I slipped them into my bag, a familiar figure pushed open the door.
Our eyes met. Fiona froze for a moment, a hint of joy lingering on her face, then naturally linked arms with Michael.
"Nicole, long time no see! You’re here for a checkup, too?" she said, patting her slightly rounded belly.
I stepped back, expressionless, offering a polite hum, and turned to leave.
Fiona’s soft voice followed me.
"Nicole, let me treat you to a meal. Let’s catch up."
I paused, then walked forward.
How could Fiona, once so eager to compete, now invite me so easily?
Indeed, her former sponsored student was now a top lawyer, her husband an internationally renowned attorney, and she owned three nationally acclaimed law firms.
It was true: when Michael chooses to support someone, even an overlooked girl can soar into greatness.
When Michael came after me, I was waiting for a taxi by the door.
He extended his hand,
"Get in the car. I’ll give you a ride."
I stepped back, calm.
"Michael, no need. I don’t want your wife to misunderstand."
His face darkened.
"Nicole, do you have to be so stubborn?"
"If back then you had been more tolerant and generous, you wouldn’t be in this situation today."
"I just wanted a child. Why did you..." He glanced at my tracksuit and mud-stained canvas shoes.
He didn’t finish, but I understood.
It was all about wanting Fiona Young to have a child for us, so I could graciously accept them and their daughter, and live a complete life of three.
Then we would be secure, no longer wearing tracksuits and carrying canvas bags like this.
The boy I had risked my family for, the boy who had promised me he would endure torture rather than betray me, had ultimately died in this glittering world.
In silence, the taxi arrived, and Fiona ran after it.
She pressed a card into my hand, panicked.
"Nicole, take this first. If you need anything, just let me know. Michael is busy every day..."
The taxi arrived just then, and I shoved the card back, letting it fall to the ground in haste.
The car sped off, belching exhaust fumes. Through the rearview mirror, I saw Michael gently embrace Fiona, comforting her. She stood there, tears in her eyes, leaning on his shoulder, quietly sobbing.
At the villa, Aunt Wendy came over and said Leo Miller wouldn’t be home for dinner, asking what I wanted to eat.
I touched my stomach, suppressing the acid reflux, and requested only a bowl of gourmet soup.
Back in my room, I wanted to keep the pregnancy test report, and while searching, I found the forged infertility test report.
