[Does he like to drink so much in front of you?]

The pain in my chest wouldn’t stop, but I managed to type out a response, [Of course not, he loves you the most. Have you signed the agreement?]

A few moments later, she sent me a picture—a close-up of Orion’s signature on the divorce papers.

[Signed quickly. I’ve already mailed the original to you.]

I felt a strange mix of relief and emptiness. [Okay, that's good.]

Without thinking twice, I immediately called the hospital to schedule an induced abortion. But as I was about to hang up, I received another call.

“Are you Mrs. Steele? Mr. Steele is in the hospital due to an alcohol allergy. Please come immediately.”

For a split second, I hesitated. But with everything happening, I couldn’t help but go straight to the hospital instead.

As I walked upstairs, I ran into Orion and Marigold smoking downstairs. They were laughing, carefree, but when their eyes met mine, their laughter faltered.

“Honey, what are you doing here?” Orion’s voice was full of guilt and panic, his eyes wide, almost like a child caught in a lie.

“Can’t I come?” I asked flatly, my voice colder than I intended.

“No, it’s not that. I just meant—it's not convenient for you to come with your big belly...” He glanced nervously at Marigold behind him. “I’m allergic, but fortunately, Marigold was here to help me.”

I raised my hand to stop his explanations. “Next time, don’t have the hospital call me.”

Marigold piped in, “It’s a good thing Orion’s fine. He’s just greedy and insists on drinking even though he knows he can’t handle it.”

Orion, defiant, argued back, “I can drink! My tolerance has improved!”

Their bickering might’ve seemed like an argument, but I saw it for what it was—an intimate, unspoken understanding between them.

In that moment, I felt a pang of sympathy for Marigold. Wasn’t she the proud Orion who once held her head high? Now, she was just as tangled in insecurities and desires as the rest of us.

Since we were going to divorce, I decided to fulfill my last duty as a wife and accompany Orion to his final check-up.

The hospital was crowded, especially on the weekend. The elevator was packed, and as we ascended, more and more people squeezed in. I ended up pressed against the back wall, feeling the air growing thin.

Marigold, as usual, clung to Orion’s side, grabbing the corner of his shirt. I could barely breathe.

“Don’t squeeze in... I’m…” My voice was weak, barely a whisper.

Someone stepped on my foot, and another person’s arm brushed against my stomach. Panic started to rise, my breath shallow and uneven.

“Orion…” I tried to call out, but my voice was too faint.

“Orion, I feel... uncomfortable. Can we get off at the next floor?”

“Okay, okay, we’ll get off right away.”

The elevator doors opened, and Orion, without even glancing back, walked out with Marigold, leaving me behind.

“Orion, don’t go.”

The last bit of strength left me, and I collapsed.

Someone nearby finally noticed. “Everyone, don’t push! There’s a pregnant woman here! Call a doctor!”

In the blur of everything, I heard my phone buzzing on the floor. My mother’s name flashed on the screen.

Tears welled up in my eyes, my heart aching for the comfort of my mother. I didn’t know if I’d ever see her again.

I barely registered what happened next. I was lifted onto a cart by medical staff, passing right by Orion.

He was facing the other way, speaking to Marigold, unaware that the woman in distress was me.

Marigold, ever the opportunist, deliberately asked Orion, “I heard a pregnant woman fainted. Let’s go see if it’s Lucinda. I’m really worried.”

Orion, oblivious to my presence, smiled softly and said, “She’s fine. Lucinda is strong, she’ll be okay. Let’s take care of you first, and then we can check on her later.”

He gently supported Marigold, guiding her in the opposite direction.

I let out a bitter laugh, my heart breaking all over again. Orion, you’ll never have the chance to see our child. Not anymore.

The obstetrician and gynecologist was visibly frantic, “The fetus is already eight months old, and the mother is bleeding heavily. We need all obstetricians on call for a joint rescue. The child is at high risk of being lost!”

I gripped her hand weakly, my voice barely a whisper. “Doctor... There’s no need. Induce labor for me.”

My stubborn insistence, combined with the urgency of the situation, led to me being rushed to the operating room. As my consciousness began to fade, I heard Orion’s frantic voice from the door.

“That’s my wife and child! Why are you inducing labor?”