Blurb：
Embark on a thrilling journey with protagonists Elara and Kael in the must-read fantasy novel “The Shadow’s Whisper.” Set in the mystical realm of Eldoria, this story features dark magic, ancient prophecies, and a quest to save the kingdom from the sinister Shadow Lord. Fans of strong character development and intricate world-building will love following Elara’s magical abilities and Kael’s warrior skills as they face dragons, enchanted forests, and hidden secrets. Perfect for lovers of epic fantasy, this book weaves together elements of adventure, romance, and suspense. Dive into a tale where bravery and friendship triumph over evil!
Content：
A month before Wendy Johnson and I are set to marry, she tells me she wants to have another man’s baby. Following my refusal, she keeps bringing it up daily.
Half a month till the wedding, I see her pregnancy report. Just like that, I find out she is almost a month pregnant. It turns out she has no intention of seeking my agreement on this matter.
At that very moment, my love for her for so many years dissipates for good.
I’m calling off the wedding and destroying all our shared memories.
On the day we are supposed to get married, I join a sealed-off research lab without a second thought.
From now on, Wendy and I no longer have anything to do with each other!
Chapter 1
“I’ve explained this to you countless times already!” Wendy Johnson, my fiancee, huffed. “Harvey has cancer! He only has a year left to live, and his biggest wish is to give his family a child who can carry on the family name. He saved my life before, so I must help him fulfill this wish!”
I’d heard this argument at least 100 times in the past month. The first time Wendy brought it up, I swiftly and adamantly expressed my refusal to give her my permission. However, she didn’t give up there. She kept talking about it every day.
Initially, she broached the subject carefully to seek my approval, but it slowly evolved into her righteously arguing with me over the subject. It was as if I’d be the most heartless man in the world if I didn’t agree to go along with her demand.
But who repaid a debt of gratitude by carrying a person’s child?
Nevertheless, the month-long fighting exhausted me both physically and mentally. I no longer had the energy to attempt to change Wendy’s mind.
Staring at the woman I loved and had been in a relationship with for five years, I asked hoarsely, “Wendy, we’re getting married next month, but you want to conceive another man’s child. What about me? What do you take me for?”
It was Wendy’s first time seeing me look this worn and defeated. It looked as though storm clouds had gathered over my head.
Her attitude eased up a little.
“I know you feel bad about this, Nathan, but I’m the only one who can help Harvey now. I can’t just watch him pass away with regrets without doing anything. And anyway, it’s only going to be through artificial insemination. Nothing will happen between Harvey and me. Since you love me, surely you can understand why I have to do this, right?”
Hearing this, I realized Wendy had already made up her mind. She was going to give birth to Harvey Snider’s baby no matter what. My opinion didn’t matter.
Wendy had more to say, but she was interrupted by her phone ringing. After checking the screen, she stepped out onto the balcony with her phone.
My lips curved into a bitter smile as I watched her from behind. She and I were childhood friends. We’d been in the same class since elementary school, and we even attended the same college.
Ever since we were children, I knew I liked her. I’d silently accompanied her all those years, but she never reciprocated my feelings. It was only after our college graduation that she finally acknowledged my efforts and agreed to be my girlfriend.
Technically speaking, we’d known each other for over two decades. Once we became a couple, we should’ve been the person the other trusted the most.
However, in the five years since we started dating, I never once touched her phone, and she continued to take her calls away from me. Once, she was resting in bed with a high fever, but her phone kept pinging with notifications. Worried it would disturb her rest, I simply tried to put it on silent mode.
I’d only just touched her phone when she opened her eyes and saw me. She immediately confronted me accusingly without even asking me what I was trying to do. She refused to listen to my explanation, either.
That night, I spent the night on the couch alone.
All along, I simply thought that was just the way she was. I had faith that one day, I would win her over. Yet, even after five years, nothing had changed.
Now, she was even insisting on having another man’s baby without once considering my feelings as her fiance and future husband.
Wendy looked visibly pleased when she returned. She grabbed her jacket and started heading for the door.
“I need to step out for something. Take the time to think it over.”
My heart stilled as I listened to the sound of her footsteps as she rushed off. Harvey was probably the only person she’d leave in such a hurry for.
Unexpectedly, Harvey sent me a photo soon after. However, once I zoomed in on the photo, I could barely stay on my feet.
Chapter 2
Harvey sent me a photo of a pregnancy report—the name on the report was Wendy Johnson!
Once I saw the gestational age, my mind started spinning. The report clearly stated that she was three weeks pregnant.
In other words, Wendy had already gotten herself artificially inseminated a month ago in order to conceive Harvey’s baby. From the very beginning, she never actually considered seeking my approval first.
Since that was the case, why had she stubbornly continued to ask me about it for the past month? Was she just trying to ensure she could do it with a clear conscience?
Feeling as though all my strength had been sapped out of me, I crumpled onto the floor. It felt like my heart was being crushed. I could scarcely breathe.
This explained why Wendy couldn’t keep the smile off her face just now, and why she had rushed off after the call. She must’ve found out that the procedure had been a success. She was now pregnant.
She was probably hurrying to the hospital to celebrate with Harvey right now.
I closed my eyes. An overwhelming sense of sorrow filled me. I couldn’t believe that the woman I’d loved for so many years was now pregnant with another man’s child.
Just two months ago, I proposed to her, and she accepted. The wedding ceremony had been set for next month. I’d already prepared our outfits and booked a hotel ballroom for the ceremony.
All this while, I eagerly anticipated our wedding day. I looked forward to finally taking Wendy by the hand and making her my wife. All of my hopes and expectations just vanished into thin air.
My phone started buzzing, pulling me out of my thoughts. I instinctively took the call. The voice that came through belonged to my college senior, Gemma Chambers.
“Nathan, I know you’re about to get married, but I just have to ask you one more time. Are you sure you don’t want to consider joining our research lab?” Gemma queried. “You were always Professor Kelley’s most gifted student. He still hopes you can help him out with his research.
“Since you’re about to start a family, Professor Kelley has said he can grant you a special leave of absence for two weeks off after working in the research lab every month. That way, you can still spend quality time with your wife.”
Six months ago, I heard that my old professor, Lawrence Kelley, had set up a new research lab. Professor Kelley called me and personally invited me to join his team. However, taking the job meant no contact with the outside world. I could only leave once the research work had been completed.
That would take a few months, at least, if not a couple of years.
I didn’t want to spend so much time away from Wendy, and I couldn’t bear not being able to get in touch with her. Thus, I declined Professor Kelley’s invitation.
But right now, what came to mind was the pregnancy report I saw.
Wendy was already pregnant with Harvey’s baby. Since she made her decision without giving any consideration to our relationship or our impending marriage, there was no reason to continue with the wedding.
I subconsciously tightened my grip on the phone as I replied, “I’ll join the research lab, Gemma, and I don’t need the special leave of absence. We can just stick to the research schedule.”
“That’s wonderful news! Professor Kelley will be delighted,” Gemma exclaimed in joy. “When do you plan on coming over? Why don’t you join us a week after the wedding? That way, you can still go on your honeymoon first.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I replied quietly. “I’ll come over on the day of the wedding.”
My eyes fell on the calendar on the table. I’d circled the 15th of the following month with a red marker. At the time, I did it so that I had a constant reminder of how many days I had left till the wedding. That made it easier for me to make all the arrangements.
It was now a countdown to the day I left Wendy. These last 15 days served as an adjustment period for me to get used to leaving someone I’d known and loved for over two decades.
After 15 days, Wendy and I would never see each other again.
Chapter 3
Wendy didn’t return that night. I didn’t call to ask where she was, either. I’d already gotten my update from Harvey’s Instagram story.
After leaving the hospital that afternoon, they went straight to Harvey’s home and informed his parents about the pregnancy. I saw the photo of Harvey’s grandmother saying something to Wendy while holding her hand affectionately. Wendy was smiling gently as she stroked her abdomen with her other hand.
Throughout my five-year relationship with Wendy, she’d only once agreed to visit my family with me, and that was after I had proposed to her. Even though it was less than half an hour’s drive to my family’s home, she never once initiated a visit.
She claimed she didn’t like spending time around older people. It made her feel uncomfortable.
During that sole visit, she simply maintained a polite attitude with my family. There was none of the warmth and friendliness she showed the Sniders in the photo.
I blinked to clear the bitterness from my eyes before turning my phone off.
…
The next day, I invited a few friends out and told them the wedding was canceled.
Wendy said she didn’t like weddings. They were nothing more than a meaningless formality to her. At my insistence, she begrudgingly agreed to hold a small-scale wedding. Only a few of our closest friends were invited.
Everyone around us knew how I felt about her. Unsurprisingly, my friends were shocked to hear that the wedding wasn’t going to happen.
“Haven’t you been in love with Wendy for decades now? Can you seriously bear to let her go when you’re just a step away from marrying her at last?”
My heart stung. Could I bear to do it? Obviously not.
I’d dedicated myself to staying by Wendy’s side for over two decades before she finally agreed to marry me. How could I move on from over two decades of love so easily?
But as it was, our relationship had been unequal from the start. This whole time, I was the one doggedly trying to keep up with Wendy, and she had never stopped for me.
I didn’t care at first. I figured that since I could spend two decades or so convincing her to marry me, I could also win her heart one day. It was only a matter of time. We had the rest of our lives to live after marriage. I was willing to wait until the day she opened her heart to me.
Alas, everything changed when Harvey, Wendy’s so-called savior, showed up six months ago. Only then did I realize that she wasn’t cold and aloof with everyone.
She would always have a smile on her face when she was with Harvey, even though she was incredibly stingy with her smiles around me. At the time, I tried to console myself by reminding myself that Harvey had saved her life before. She was only acting that way to repay her debt of gratitude.
Nevertheless, it never occurred to me that when Harvey got diagnosed with cancer, Wendy would actually agree to bear his child so that he had someone to carry on his family name! Moreover, she only pretended to seek my permission. In reality, she’d secretly undergone the artificial insemination procedure to get pregnant.
It was then that it hit me. There was no future between Wendy and me. No matter how painful and difficult it was for me to rid myself of my feelings for her, I had to steel myself and do it anyway.
I didn’t tell my friends the real reason why the wedding was canceled. I simply said I’d be joining a research lab soon, and that it would be a long while before I could have contact with the outside world again.
Feeling apologetic for springing this on my friends, I stayed out with them until late at night before heading back to the house. When I got back, Wendy had just returned as well.
After smelling alcohol on me, she frowned and took a few steps back. Covering her nose, she said, “Stay away from me. The stench makes me want to puke.”
My eyes fell on her other hand, which she had subconsciously placed defensively on her abdomen, and I snorted self-deprecatingly. It was such a noticeable reaction. It seemed like she had no intention of hiding her pregnancy from me.
Still, since she didn’t plan on telling me, I wasn’t going to bring it up myself. Without speaking, I went off to take a shower.
When I came back out, Wendy was tapping away on her phone with a smile on her face. I merely glanced at her before heading toward the bedroom to get some sleep. However, she stopped me, saying, “I’ve got something to discuss with you.”
I paused. She last said that to me a month ago, when she told me she wanted to give Harvey a baby. We’d been arguing over that since then.
Well, she was already pregnant now, so what else could she possibly have to discuss with me this time?
Chapter 4
“Let’s skip the wedding photoshoot tomorrow,” Wendy said.
I checked the calendar on the table. Below tomorrow’s date were the words “wedding photoshoot”.
I didn’t know why Wendy wanted to call off the wedding photoshoot. That being said, I wasn’t planning on going through with the wedding anyway. Even if she hadn’t said anything, I would’ve found an excuse to cancel the photoshoot myself. She was making it easier for me by bringing it up herself.
Nodding, I replied, “Fine. I’ll call the photographer and cancel the photoshoot.”
Wendy was startled. She didn’t expect me to agree to it so readily.
She thought I would demand a reason for her request. After all, I’d put a lot of effort into preparing our wedding. I even had to pay far above the photographer’s usual rate to get him to squeeze us into his schedule, all because I wanted us to have the most perfect wedding photos.
Yet, I’d calmly agreed to Wendy’s request immediately after she made it.
Wendy looked at me with a complicated expression and said, “You don’t need to cancel it. Harvey says that since he won’t have a chance to get married, he wants to have a wedding photoshoot with me. That way, it’ll feel like he got a chance to experience marriage and won’t have any regrets.
“Harvey and I can do the photoshoot tomorrow. We can organize another one for us in the future.”
Her tone was light and nonchalant, as if she were merely talking about the weather. It was the same tone she used when she approached me a month ago and said she wanted to have Harvey’s sperm artificially inseminated into her.
While it appeared as though she was discussing the matter with me, the manner in which she spoke made it clear her mind was made up. She was just informing me of her decision.
I lowered my eyes to hide the scorn in them.
In the future, she said?
She didn’t know I was only going to be in Rockshire for another 13 days. She had no clue that there wasn’t going to be a future for us.
I hummed in acknowledgment before heading to the bedroom to get some rest. I wasn’t marrying Wendy, so it didn’t matter who she had a wedding photoshoot with.
Wendy watched as I left. For some reason, she felt a little uneasy.
I was too calm. I didn’t even confront her about it, giving her no chance to use all the arguments she’d prepared for this very moment.
Just then, Harvey called, and she pushed aside all the questions she had about my reaction as she went to the balcony to take his call.
When I woke up, Wendy was getting ready to leave.
As she put her shoes on, she said to me, “After the photoshoot, Harvey and I plan on going on a trip for a few days. He has always wanted to see Beaudoir Isle, so I’ll go with him.
“Keep the wedding simple. I won’t have time to attend the rehearsal, so you can make all the decisions without asking for my opinion.”
I swallowed my mouthful of toast before replying, “Got it.”
It was going to be simple, alright. There wouldn’t be any wedding photos, guests, or an officiant. Most importantly, there wouldn’t be a groom.
Seeing that I was merely munching my breakfast in silence, Wendy added, “After the wedding, let’s go to Ardova for our honeymoon. I know you’ve always wanted to go.”
If the old me had heard Wendy initiating the subject of a honeymoon, I would’ve leaped out of the chair in excitement and started preparing for it.
I’d asked Wendy to take a trip with me before, but she never once agreed to do it. She kept saying she didn’t like taking trips and found them exhausting.
But now, I simply focused on my toast without saying anything, which seemed to leave Wendy feeling rather taken aback. She looked at me as if she had more to say, but when she spotted the clock on the wall, she hastily opened the door and dashed off after saying, “Let’s talk about it when I get back.”
I picked up the calendar and crossed out the words “wedding photoshoot”.
There were now 12 days to go.
After breakfast, I started packing up my belongings. I also cleared out everything unnecessary from the house. This included a photo album with fewer than five photos, a projector that had been gathering dust in the corner, and the couple-themed pajamas that had never been worn before.
Throughout our five-year relationship, I was the one who put a great deal of thought into selecting every single item in this house, slowly filling the space and turning it into the cozy home it was now.
However, upon closer inspection, it was clear that Wendy had never touched most of the things. She said that despite our relationship, she was still an individual in her own right. She didn’t like using couple-themed items. They made her feel as though she was being constrained.
Once I was gone, these things would only be a nuisance to her anyway, so I might as well get rid of them now, destroying all of the memories we shared as well.
Chapter 5
Wendy was gone for the entire week, but I knew what she was up to at all times. It was hard not to when Harvey was such a fan of posting his entire life on social media. The two enjoyed the hot springs, visited the beach, and took sunrise photos together.
Thanks to his social media postings, I saw many different sides of Wendy. It turned out that she had it in her to behave the way ordinary women did when they were in a relationship. It only seemed impossible when she was with me.
I wasn’t paying specific attention to what Wendy and Harvey were doing. It was always a fleeting glance as I was scrolling past.
Well, my days weren’t idle either. There were far too many things in the house, and it took me several days to sort out everything.
I also made the time to drop by at home and inform my parents that I was joining Professor Kelley’s research lab. Once I did, it would be some time before I could have any contact with the outside world again.
Dad was taken aback.
“But you and Wendy are about to get married. Won’t this mean you two will have to live separately after marriage?”
Mom’s eyes were filled with concern as she took my hand and advised, “You should reconsider this decision, Nathan. It wasn’t easy for you and Wendy to get to this point in your relationship. I’m afraid she might not agree with your choice to join the research lab, and your wedding…”
I knew what my parents were implying. They had witnessed just how smitten I’d been with Wendy all these years, and they were fully aware of the way she treated me.
Even before I decided to propose, they’d gently tried to reason with me. They didn’t think she cared much about me, so they said I should give marriage some more thought. But at the time, I had faith I could win her over and have her fully accept me. Thus, they agreed with my decision to propose to her.
Now that the wedding was around the corner, they were worried that Wendy would object to my joining the research lab. She might even cancel the wedding and break up with me. They wanted me to reconsider because they were afraid I’d be hurt.
However, I was the one who was canceling the wedding.
After breaking the news to my parents, I stayed quiet for a while. Worried that they wouldn’t be able to handle such shocking news, I didn’t tell them that Wendy was pregnant with another man’s child. Instead, I simply said I wanted to make my share of contributions to the field of scientific study.
After a sigh, Dad patted my shoulder and told me all that mattered was making sure I wouldn’t regret this in the future. I nodded my head.
Once I headed back to the house, I reached out to Ian Walsh, a childhood friend of mine. I asked him to help me get rid of everything I’d packed up. The boxes were taking up quite a bit of space in the living room.
By the time we tossed everything, the house started looking rather empty. Taking it all in, Ian commented with a sigh, “I didn’t think you actually meant it. I thought you were just kidding around the other day when you said you were canceling the wedding. I saw the way you stuck by Wendy’s side all these years. What on earth happened?”
He passed me a can of beer before opening one for himself.
Perhaps driven by my impending departure, I felt the urge to vent to someone too. I told Ian about everything that happened in the past month, including the fact that Wendy was now pregnant with Harvey’s child.
Ian was one of the ones who knew everything about my relationship with Wendy. Thus, after hearing what she’d done, he cursed and started ranting.
“To think you’ve been so good to her all this while, only for her to cheat on you before the wedding. And she even wanted you to give your permission! What is she thinking?”
I shook my head and chuckled sardonically, saying, “Who knows? She says Harvey is her savior, so she wants to fulfill his wishes for him.”
“But you saved her life, too! How could she treat you like this?” Ian protested indignantly.
I took a swig of beer and said nothing. Perhaps she simply didn’t love me, but it didn’t matter. I would soon be leaving her.
Chapter 6
Five days before my departure, I submitted my resignation to the school. Back then, to be with Wendy, I’d rejected Professor Kelley’s offer to conduct research with him. Instead, I chose to become a schoolteacher.
My colleagues were startled by my resignation.
“Why are you resigning, Mr. Hill?” one of them asked. “You were handing out your wedding invitations a while back. Could it be that you’ve decided to become a househusband? Your future wife sure is lucky.”
Holding my things, I chuckled and said, “No. Actually, the wedding has been canceled.”
…
As soon as I opened the door of my house, I saw Harvey and Wendy, whom I hadn’t seen in a week.
When Wendy saw the things I was carrying, she asked out of habit, “What are those things you have with you?”
I brushed her off with an excuse. “It’s just some stuff I don’t need anymore, so I brought them back.”
Nodding, Wendy looked around the house before asking doubtfully, “I was only gone for a week, but why does it feel like the house is now a lot emptier?”
I set my box of things down in the bedroom before calmly replying, “I just got rid of some unnecessary clutter.”
Wendy opened her mouth to speak, but Harvey beat her to it.
“Wendy put a lot of effort into going on this trip with me, Nate. I also have to thank you for allowing her to fulfill a dream of mine by having a wedding photoshoot with me. How’s this? Let me treat you guys to a meal to thank you for looking out for me. I’m afraid I’ll have to continue troubling you for some time. I hope you won’t mind my presence, Nate.”
Judging from the goading look in his eyes, I deduced that he was getting antsy. After all, I’d shown no reaction at all since the day I received Wendy’s pregnancy report. I didn’t even confront Wendy about it.
Needless to say, I wasn’t keen on engaging in such pointless fights with Harvey. In five days, I’d be out of Wendy’s life for good. All I wanted to do now was get everything settled here in Rockshire so that I could leave in peace.
My silence led to Harvey asking hesitantly, “Wendy, is Nate upset? After all, you two are about to get married, but…”
Hearing that, Wendy immediately frowned and reprimanded me in displeasure.
“What’s with that attitude? Harvey is sincere about wanting to thank us! It’s just a meal. It’s not like anyone’s going to poison you. You’re going. A grown man like you shouldn’t be engaging in such petty jealousy.”
I hadn’t even said a word, but Wendy was already making me the bad guy. In the end, she succeeded in dragging me out.
At the restaurant, the server asked us for our order. I’d only just opened the menu when I heard Wendy say, “Keep everything low sodium and lightly seasoned, and make sure the chef doesn’t put chives in anything.”
Once the food arrived, Wendy attentively served some food onto Harvey’s plate before shoving a large platter of shrimp over to me.
“Harvey can’t have seafood. I got this for you.”
Staring at the platter of shrimp, I lost all my appetite. I set my cutlery down and said, “I’m allergic to seafood.”
What a joke this was.
We’d been dating for five years, yet Wendy was oblivious to my seafood allergy. On the other hand, she knew Harvey’s dietary requirements like the back of her hand. She even remembered minor details like his dislike for chives.
Evidently, my seafood allergy was new information to Wendy, whose eyes went blank for a moment. When she finally looked at me again, there was a tinge of guilt in her gaze. She ordered a few more things for the table, but I never picked up my cutlery again. Instead, I merely sipped my water throughout the entire meal.
We were walking down the steps leading out of the restaurant when I got Gemma’s call.
“Nathan, Professor Kelley wants me to confirm whether you’re serious about sticking to the research’s projected schedule. Our first research involves a confidential project. You might not be able to have any contact with the outside world for a year or two.”
My gaze fell on Wendy and Harvey, who were walking shoulder-to-shoulder ahead of me. As Wendy went down the steps, she instinctively supported her abdomen with one hand.
My tone was even as I replied to Gemma, “I’m sure about it.”
Relieved, Gemma said, “That’s good to hear. Professor Kelley was afraid you wouldn’t bear to part with your future wife.”
I withdrew my gaze and started heading off toward the other side, all the while telling Gemma, “The wedding has been called off. I’ve already made all my preparations to leave.”
As soon as I said that, I heard a puzzled voice ringing out behind me.
“Who’s leaving?”
Chapter 7
Wendy, who had just escorted Harvey to the car, overheard the last few words I said. Sensing that she didn’t hear the first half, I gave her a made-up story.
“My friend’s leaving Rockshire soon.”
Wendy nodded and didn’t bother asking any further.
…
Four days before my departure, Wendy brought back the photos from her wedding photoshoot with Harvey. Holding her phone up with one hand, she got Harvey on a video call and proceeded to show him the framed photo with a blissful smile on her face.
“Our wedding photos are ready, Harvey. When I went to pick them up, the staff said the photos came out really well.”
That was precisely the sentence I heard when I happened to head toward the kitchen for some water.
Eyes flickering with awkwardness, Wendy looked at me as if she wanted to say something. I glanced at the photo and remarked with a straight face, “The photo does look pretty good.”
Wendy was dumbfounded. It abruptly occurred to her that it’d been ages since I last initiated a proper conversation with her. I didn’t even send her a single text when she went on a week-long trip with Harvey.
She wasn’t used to this.
Harvey was still chattering away over the video call, so Wendy shook her head and brushed it off, thinking that I was just too tired from all the wedding planning.
…
Two days before my departure, I realized that I’d have to bring all the things I might need with me when I moved into the research lab. I also needed to get a supply of commonly used medication, so I dropped by the hospital pharmacy to get some.
I didn’t expect to run into Wendy and Harvey, who were coming out of a prenatal examination.
Wendy wanted to speak, but Harvey spoke up first. He came up to me and got on his knees, saying, “Nate, I know you still haven’t agreed to let Wendy get pregnant, but I can’t wait any longer. My doctor says I’ll only have a year left to live at most, and I want to witness the birth of my child.
“Once the baby is born, I’ll leave and take the baby with me right away. It won’t affect your relationship with Wendy at all.”
I didn’t even get to say anything before Wendy pulled Harvey back onto his feet with a look of tender concern.
“You can’t strain your body like that. You’re already in frail health!”
Then, she turned to me and said, “Well, since you know about it now, I won’t try to hide it from you anymore. Don’t worry. I’m still in my first trimester, so it won’t affect our wedding.”
If the old me from a month ago heard this, I would’ve felt a swirl of fury and anguish. I would’ve had an emotional breakdown and started doubting myself. I would try to figure out how I’d failed as a boyfriend and a fiance, which led to Wendy willingly getting pregnant with another man’s child.
But after I’d gone through everything this past month, the truth dawned on me. I hadn’t been inadequate in any way. Wendy simply didn’t love me. That was why she could do something like that without any concern for my feelings about it.
I’d long since been made aware of Wendy’s pregnancy, and I’d already given up on my feelings for her. They didn’t have to act as though I were the evil villain separating two star-crossed lovers.
Eyeing them coolly, I simply said, “I got it.”
Then, I walked off with the medication I came for. I was leaving Rockshire very soon, but I still needed to organize my luggage.
Clearly, Wendy and Harvey didn’t expect me to remain this calm, especially Wendy. She had mixed emotions as she watched me leave.
I’d spent an entire month arguing with her over the pregnancy, but I showed no reaction at all upon finding out that she was pregnant. For some reason, it made her feel uneasy.
When I reached the stairs, Harvey ran up to me and caught my sleeve. As Wendy was still some distance away, he finally revealed his true colors to me.
“How does it feel, Nathan? Your future wife is about to marry you while pregnant with another man’s child, but I guess you’ll just have to put up with it.”
Not wanting to waste time on a meaningless fight with him, I wanted to shake him off so that I could leave. However, I’d only just started moving my hand when he began veering dangerously over the stairs. I had to catch him instinctively to stop him from falling down.
Before I could release Harvey, a furious voice rang out from behind.
“What are you doing?” Wendy snapped accusingly.
At Wendy’s arrival, Harvey immediately put on a hurt expression and said, “Wendy, all I wanted to do was thank Nate for being so gracious. Who would’ve thought that he’d…”
Wendy’s expression turned stormy.
“Nathan Hill! I never pegged you for someone who’d be capable of doing something like that! Apologize to Harvey at once!”
Chapter 8
The fact that Wendy didn’t even bother to get her record straight before accusing me made me scoff in anger.
“You want me to apologize? Go and check the security footage for yourself and see whether it’s me or him who has to apologize to the other!”
I didn’t think Wendy would assume I wanted to push Harvey down the stairs before she even checked the security footage.
“Harvey’s sick! Why would he try to cause any harm to himself on purpose?”
Harvey’s eyes flashed with panic.
“Let’s forget about it, Wendy. It’s understandable for Nate to be upset with me. Let’s just go.”
Wendy refused to let up.
“Nope. He has to apologize to you today!”
I refused to apologize, of course. I wasn’t going to admit to something I didn’t do.
Harvey was worried that if this continued, Wendy would actually check the security footage, which would expose what he’d tried to do. Thus, he started clutching his stomach and saying that he felt unwell.
Wendy’s rage immediately morphed into concern as she quickly took Harvey away to get a doctor.
As I watched them leave, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming wave of sorrow envelop me.
I’d spent over two decades by Wendy’s side, and we’d been in a relationship for five of those years. But none of that earned me even an ounce of her trust. Thankfully, I’d awakened to reality and managed to extract myself from this relationship before it was too late.
…
It was the day before I left Rockshire. Wendy didn’t come back to the house. I figured she was busy looking after the “sick” Harvey.
I had all my luggage shipped to the research lab beforehand, leaving only a backpack to take with me.
That night, Wendy showed up, looking as angry as she was before.
“Harvey is still in the hospital right now. He’s sick! Can’t you be more understanding and gracious? Why are you being so petty and calculative?”
Gracious and understanding? I was pretty sure I’d been acting like a saint. I’d allowed Harvey to take a wedding photoshoot with the suit and photographer I’d prepared for myself. I’d allowed the woman who was supposed to be my wife to bear his child.
And now, I was even giving him my place beside Wendy.
Meanwhile, Wendy’s expression eased up when she noticed the date on the calendar marked with a bold red circle.
“Whatever. We’re getting married tomorrow, so I don’t want to fight. You can apologize to Harvey after the wedding, and then we’ll go on our honeymoon.”
I said nothing.
If Wendy bothered to pay even the slightest bit of attention, she would’ve noticed that the house was devoid of anything related to the wedding.
“Let’s…”
I’d barely begun telling Wendy the truth when her phone rang. Harvey’s voice came through the speaker, and Wendy immediately looked anxious.
“Hang on. I’ll be right here,” she said before ending the call and dashing for the door.
“Harvey’s feeling unwell. I’m going to check on him. I’ll be back in time for the wedding ceremony. Wait for me at the hotel tomorrow morning.”
It was only after the door had shut that I finished the sentence I meant to say earlier.
“Let’s break up, Wendy. I canceled the wedding.”
My voice echoed in the empty house. The only answer I got was the clock ticking away on the wall.
I sat in the living room until dawn, watching as the night sky turned bright once more. My phone buzzed, reminding me it was three hours till my flight boarding time.
Striding toward the bedroom, I retrieved the backpack I’d prepared. Then, I got a marker and crossed out the date that had been circled on the calendar.
Beneath it, I wrote, “Let’s break up, Wendy.”
After placing the calendar in the most prominent spot in the house, I pulled on my backpack and got a cab to the airport.
This was goodbye, Wendy.
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