Chapter 25
Abigail
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Conrad froze for a moment, his eyes darting between me and the direction of Lillana’s walls. His face twisted with the conflict he wasn’t even trying to hide. “But Susanna’s situation is more urgent,” he said anxiously, his tone pleading.
I stared at him, willing him to see the betrayal that his words carved into me. “I came here for
“You’re just here to follow up on your foot injury, Abigail, he interrupted, his voice becoming more pleading in a futile attempt to reassure me. “There’s no rush for that, but Susanna…” He trailed off, guilt in his eyes. “Look, you heard Liliana, she fell. That can’t be good for a pregnant woman. Once I confirm she’s fine and report back to Alexander, I’ll come back to be with you. I promise.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he was already moving, is pace quickening as he disappeared down the hall with Liliana and the doctor. The hollow promise rang in my ears even as I watched him disappear into the chaos. I wanted to shout after him, to remind him that I was his wife, the one who should come first, but my voice wouldn’t rise above the lump in my throat. I felt the threads of my patience snap one by one.
He didn’t even pause.
The coldness of his absence wrapped itself around me as I sank into one of the cold, hard chairs in the hospital lobby, staring at the pristine white walls. My hands shook as I tried to steady my breathing. The fury in my chest gave way to an ache I couldn’t seem to bury.
Why did I even feel this way anymore? I knew better by now. This was my life with Conrad–an eternal second place to Susanna. A bitter laugh almost escaped me as I fought back tears. What a fool I was, holding onto a hope that felt more like quicksand with every passing day,
But how could he not see it? How could he not understand? wasn’t just here for some routine checkup. I was carrying his child, and I’d come here today to share the news. But instead, I was sitting alone, fighting the sting of tears that I refused to let fall. No matter how much I tried to convince myself that I was used to it, the sharp pang of disappointment lodged itself deeper in my chest.
Eventually, my name was called, and I followed the nurse down the sterile hallway to the exam room. The doctor greeted me warmly, her smile genuine as she began the routine check. When the ultrasound machine came to life, I turned my head to the screen, and there it was the tiny heartbeat of my child, steady and strong.
The doctor’s voice was cheerful as she explained the baby’s progress, her excitement enough for the both of us. Everything looks great,” she said, pointing to the monitor. The growth is right on track.”
I wanted to feel joy, to let the sight of my baby wash away the ache Conrad had left behind. But the emptiness in the chair beside me was a reminder that the person I wanted most to share this moment with wasn’t there. As I left the exam room, my happiness was dampened by a bitter taste of abandonment.
By the time I returned to the lobby, Conrad still hadn’t contacted me. I sat back in the same cold chair, my hands resting protectively over my stomach. My phone remained silent as I sat in the lobby, clutching my bag and debating whether to text him. No, I told myself firmly. If he cared, he’d be here.
I was still lost in thought when I saw him–Alexander.
He was being wheeled into the lobby by his assistant, Danie, his presence as commanding as ever despite his Injured state. Panic rippled through me as I tried to compose myself, brushing a hand over my face in case any traces of my earlier tears lingered.
I should’ve known better. Alexander’s sharp eyes found meimmediately, and with a slight gesture of his hand,
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Chapter 25
Daniel brought him over.
“Why are you here alone?” he asked, his voice calm but with an edge of concern that made me feel exposed.
I hesitated, unsure how to explain as I clutched my bag tighter. “Just a checkup,” I said, forcing a smile that felt brittle. “Nothing important.”
Alexander tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. “You’re pregnant,” he said matter–of–factly.
The bluntness of his statement made my breath hitch, and blinked, unsure how to respond. “How–how do you know?” I stammered.
He gave me a small, knowing smile. “It’s obvious if you’re paying attention. The way you move, you’ve been of yourself. It’s not hard to figure out.”
how protective
His words struck something in me, and for a moment, I wondered why Conrad hadn’t noticed the same. I was still processing his words when a familiar figure stormed into the lobby. Conrad’s presence filled the space as his eyes locked onto me and then onto Daniel who was standing by my side. His expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he strode toward us and directed a dark glare at Daniel.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded, his voice hard and brimming with unspoken accusations.
Before Daniel could answer, Alexander spoke up, his tone calm but firm. “I came to visit my wife,” he said evenly, his gaze meeting Conrad’s. “She ended up at the hospital while shopping.”
The tension between them crackled like a live wire, but I didn’t focus on that. I was too busy watching Conrad, noting the way he barely glanced at me before his focus shifted entirely to Alexander and his assistant. It was a pattern I knew all too well, and one I was growing tired of.
I stood there, silent, as Conrad’s eyes finally shifted to me. There was something in his gaze–a mixture of guilt, frustration, and something I couldn’t quite place. “Why didn’t you call me after your checkup?” he asked, as if I’d been the one to disappear.
I let out a bitter laugh, the sound surprising even me. “Why would I? You were too busy with Susanna.”
His face hardened, but before he could reply, Alexander’s voice interrupted. “Perhaps you should focus on your wife, Conrad. She’s the one who needed you here.”
An emotion–guilt, maybe–passed across Conrad’s face. But it didn’t matter. Words felt pointless now. Whatever he said, whatever excuse he gave, it wouldn’t change the growing rift between us that seemed to widen with every choice he made.
