pter 9
Chapter 9
1/1
Before Bradley lost consciousness, he was still mumbling Maisy’s name.
I didn’t understand. How could he love her so obsessively?
I suddenly thought back to years ago, when we attended a banquet together. Back then, when the chandelier came crashing down toward me, he had thrown himself in front of it, risking his life to save me. That was when I believed his feelings for me were real.
But sincerity was fleeting. And his so–called love had been a lie from the very beginning.
Bradley remained in the hospital for several days. I never once went to see him.
On the day he was discharged, he came home and immediately pulled me into his arms to apologize. “Why didn’t you visit me, Alice? Are you mad at me for protecting Maisy?” I didn’t answer, but he grew more anxious.
“Alice, the only reason I protected her was for you. I know you don’t get along with her, or with Daniel and Keira. So I thought it would be best for me to mediate between all of you. If they knew I saved Maisy, maybe they’d be kinder to you too. I just wanted more people to love you.”
He spoke so earnestly that he might’ve even believed it himself.
Noticing my silence, he hurriedly added, “I’m sorry, Alice. If this makes you unhappy, I won’t see Maisy anymore. I’ll stay with you and the baby, okay?”
For the next few days, he really did stay by my side, never leaving for even a moment.
Then, on the day I was supposedly due to give birth, a storm rolled in. Dark clouds and heavy rain swallowed the entire city.
Bradley was right there beside me until Maisy called him.
He sneaked a glance at me. When he saw I wasn’t paying attention, he took his phone and stepped aside to answer the call.
I didn’t know what Maisy said, but his expression suddenly turned anxious. “Don’t be scared. I’m coming right now.”
He hung up and turned to me. “Alice, there’s an emergency at the company. I have to go handle it. I know you’re about to give birth, but I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay? If anything happens, call me. I’ll come right away!”
Without waiting for my response, he rushed out the door. Maybe he never planned on hearing my answer in the first place.
The car engine roared to life and disappeared into the storm.
As I watched him leave, I barely curled my lips.
He didn’t know that my passport was ready. I had picked it up today, which meant I could leave today.
Slowly, I got up and started packing. Then, I reached down and pulled the fake pregnancy belly off my stomach. How ridiculous. He claimed to love me, yet after all this time, he never realized that our baby was already gone. There was nothing left in this house worth staying for, so I packed quickly. In the end, I left with just a small suitcase.
At the airport, I checked the departure screen for my flight time. Then, I pulled out my phone and called Bradley one last time.
He answered almost immediately. “What’s wrong, Alice? Is the baby coming? Don’t worry. I’ll send Connor over right away!” Even if I were giving birth, he wouldn’t come himself.
I curled my lips into a cold smile. “No, I just wanted to remind you that you can open the gift box I gave you now.”
Inside that box was our eight–month–old unborn child.
If he hadn’t led to me, that baby could’ve been born.
Bradley’s voice softened. “Alright. I’ll open it when I get back.”
Thang up without another word Then, without hesitation, I blocked his number.
Ostside, the storm raged on. But I knew that the skies would be clear by the time I landed, and the sun would shine brightly.
I suddenly found myself looking forward to Bradley’s reaction when he opened the gift box. It was bound to be priceless.
Too bad I wouldn’t be there to see it After all, we would never see each other again for the rest of our lives.
The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal i picked up my suitcase and stepped onto the plane without looking back.
