21
When I returned to the country, I had already braced myself for the possibility of seeing Dexter again. So when I spotted him at the restaurant, dressed to the nines, I wasn’t surprised in the slightest.
“Blythe where did you go? I’ve been searching for you endlessly..” Dexter’s voice cracked, his eyes already rimmed red.
Suddenly, he reached for my hand. I yanked it back with force.
*Long time no see, President Laurence. May I know which part of the contract Mr. Bailey asked you to clarify?*
“Are you doing well? Because I’m not. Not at all. Since you left, I’ve been nothing but a hollow shell. Do you remember this place?”
*You used to love eating here, especially this spot. You always said that sitting here, looking down from above, made you feel free…“*
Dexter kept rambling like he hadn’t spoken in years. I turned away, staring out the window.
So he did remember. Yet back then, he was never willing to take the time to come with me.
“I’m already free now. I don’t need this spot anymore. President Laurence, if that’s all, I’ll be leaving.”
“Blythe! You don’t like this place anymore? Then let’s go home, okay? The house is still exactly how you arranged it. I’ve had it cleaned every single day. Everything you once threw away. I’ve bought them all back, piece by piece, and put them right where you left them…”
Dexter sprang to his feet, panic written all over his face.
I cut him off sharply. “Dexter! Wake up, we’re done. It’s over. No matter how many things you tr to restore, we’ll never go back to the way things were.”
For years, even the smallest frown from him could twist my heart. But now, watching him stand there crying, begging. I felt nothing but revulsion.
So this was what it felt like when love died. Even desperation became pitiful.
“We can go back! We can, Blythe! Just give me a chance. I know I messed up! I was fooled too. I only helped Heidi because I pitied her. But the one I truly love… it’s always been you! After you left, I finally saw that. I can’t live without-”
“Enough! President Laurence, I heard your wife is about to give birth. Congratulations.”
I cut him off cold. I had no intention of becoming anyone’s mistress and even less of a desire to fight over a man with someone like Heidi.
“Sister Blythe. You already knew I was about to give birth, and yet you still came back to tangle with Brother Dexter…”
A choked sob drifted in from the doorway, Heidi stood there, her belly swollen beneath her dress. She wore high heels and a thick layer of makeup that couldn’t hide how worn out she looked.
“What are you doing here? You followed me?” Dexter’s face darkened as he shook off her grasp.
Heidi stumbled deliberately and collapsed onto the floor with a cry, cradling her belly.
20
2/2 80.09
3:35 pm
“Brother Dexter! My stomach, it hurts so much!”
Still such a drama queen.
“Sister Blythe, I’ll give Brother Dexter back to you, please, just spare my baby!”
She clung to her belly and sobbed.
“This is the only male heir of the family. My mother–in–law has been anxiously waiting for his birth. Please, let him grow up with a father. I swear, I won’t fight for Dexter again. I’ll do anything you say, anything, as long as you let my child have his father.”
Every word she said about “giving him back” was really just a subtle way of flaunting how much her child mattered to the Laurence family. What she meant was clear: no matter if I got back. with Dexter, she’d always stand between us.
Even if I had a dozen children with him in the future, I would never outshine the one who gave birth to the first grandson.
I looked at Heidi and let out a laugh. “Mrs. Laurence, you don’t have to worry. There’s not a chance I’d ever be with Dexter again. He’s just a man, hardly worth fighting over. I deserve far better. If you like garbage, go ahead and keep it.”
“Big words! Didn’t you come crawling back the moment you heard I was about to give birth?” Heidi snapped, her mood shifting like a storm. “You think this is the perfect time to seduce Dexter, and you still pretend to be all high and mighty!”
I shot back. “Dexter, since your wife is here too, let’s make this clear once and for all, we’re done. I’ve moved on. I have a new life, and I want no more ties with you. Every time I see you, I’m reminded of how foolish I’was wasting years on someone like you. So stop showing up. Don’t harass me again!”
I turned and walked away.
But Dexter refused to let go. He rushed after me, steps quick and desperate.
In a panic, Heidi clung to his leg, her voice trembling.
“Brother Dexter! My belly, it hurts! I can’t take it anymore. Take me to the hospital… save our
son!”
“Get lost!” Dexter, clearly irritated, kicked her off without hesitation.
“Ah!” Her shriek stopped me in my tracks.
I turned and saw her body fly back before slamming hard into the ground.
Blood was already streaming down her thighs. Her voice turned sharp and frantic.
“Blood! Dexter, I’m bleeding! Save me… save our child!”
“Shut up! Shut up!” The more she screamed about the child, the more agitated Dexter became. He roared at her, face twisted with rage.
He turned toward me, his expression hollow, pointing at Heidi on the floor.
“Is she the reason you won’t take me back? Is it because of the child in her belly? That child isn’t mine! She tricked me! I never even touched her!”
Then, still furious, he raised his foot and kicked her belly again. Heidi curled up on the ground, moaning in pain.
