Chapter 1
I was Michael’s fiancée, bound by a decade of shared history as childhood sweethearts. Yet, after the wedding ceremony, he repeatedly found excuses to postpone signing our marriage certificate.
During our honeymoon, when I voiced my concerns, a few instigating words from his “first love” were all it took for him to abandon me in a chaotic foreign country I had never set foot in before.
Three years later, we met again.
The man lazily sized me up and said,
“Three years alone in a foreign land. Do you realize your mistake now?”
Alone? I squeezed the pregnancy test report in my hand. I got married two years
ago.
Looking at Michael, fuming in the hospital, it took me a moment to even recognize him. “You are… Michael?”
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The Michael I once knew couldn’t wait to stay far away from me, avoiding me like the plague. But now, the moment he spotted me from afar, he hurried over in a frenzy.
“Sherry, what are you doing at the hospital?” His sharp, accusatory tone cut. through me like a blade.
If it weren’t for the need to collect my mother’s personal belongings, I would’ve never set foot in Langdale again.
I pressed my lips together, preparing to explain. But before I could say a word, he seized my hand with a grip so tight it sent a jolt of pain up my arm. I wrenched against him, desperate to break free, but his hold only grew fiercer.
“What’s wrong with you?” I snapped, struggling with all my strength. His
sneering expression only twisted further, fueling my frustration.
“Three years alone in a foreign country-
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do you finally see where you went wrong?” His familiar, condescending expression was back.
I was his childhood sweetheart, bound to him by a decade–long entanglement and an arranged engagement. Yet Michael had only ever looked at me with disdain, as if I were beneath him.
Thinking of my newly confirmed pregnancy, I decided it wasn’t worth a fight. Keeping my tone steady, I said, “Let go of me first. If you’ve got something to say, let’s talk outside.”
His gaze swept over me again, colder this time and his voice dripped with mockery. “You‘ re putting on quite the show this time. But don’t waste your energy pulling these childish stunts again.”
Then, with a sneer, he added, “Honestly, if you were half as sensible as Patty, I’d have already married you.
Still the same arrogant Michael Lester from
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my memories.
I didn’t have long to dwell on the past before a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Mikey, I just finished my checkup! Everything’s great!”
Patricia Oliver skipped over to Michael and threw herself into his arms, smirking at me with an air of superiority.
“Sherry, long time no see.” Her voice dripped with mockery. “I didn’t expect our reunion would be in a hospital. What’s wrong? Still pretending to be sick to beg for Mikey‘ s attention?”
In just a few words, Patricia labeled me a
faker.
The eagerness in Michael‘ s eyes vanished entirely, replaced by smug satisfaction as he looked down on me once again.
“Sherry, it’s been three years and you’re still playing your old tricks,”
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Michael said arrogantly.
Watching Michael‘ s smug arrogance and Patricia’s passive–aggressive smirk, a wave of irritation surged through me.
“I’m not faking anything! I’m here for a legitimate checkup!” I shot back, my patience wearing thin.
No sooner had the words left my mouth than Patricia dove into Michael’s arms, her eyes welling with crocodile tears.
“Mikey, Sherry‘ s being so mean to me! Is she going to hit me?”
Michael’s face clouded over as he turned to me, his voice heavy with reproach.
“Sherry, you’re always so unreasonable!”
It was always the same. Every time I tried to have a conversation with Michael, Patricia would slide in with her thinly veiled jabs, pushing all the right buttons to provoke me. The moment I lost my temper, she’d flip the script–playing the helpless
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victim, crying to Michael that I was the one bullying her.
And without fail, it would end the same
way: me taking the blame, while she walked away unscathed.
Looking at the two of them basking in their twisted harmony, I cleared my throat,
ready to lay it out clearly for Patricia. Stop playing these games. I don’t care about Michael anymore.
But before I could speak, Michael suddenly grabbed my shoulder, his grip firm and his tone icy enough to send chills down my spine.
“Apologize! If you don’t apologize to Patty today, you‘ re not leaving this hospital!”
Apologize?
For what?
I had come to the hospital for a simple. checkup. And now, out of nowhere, I was
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supposed to apologize to this toxic duo?
“I’ve done nothing wrong, so why should I apologize? If anyone owes an apology, it’s the two of you—to me!”
