I didn’t want kids, and Jasper took on the burden of their expectations for years to protect me.
Six months ago, when James told me about an incredible opportunity to study under a top designer abroad, I couldn’t wait to share the news with Jasper.
However, when I saw the troubled look on his face as he dealt with our parents’ nagging about having a baby, I let the idea go, deciding to try for a child instead.
We spent six months preparing, only to be met with disappointment.
Jasper, trying to shield me from guilt, kept insisting it was his issue.
But now, Molly was pregnant.
I licked my dry lips and replied, “I’m not planning to have a child anymore. Let’s just leave it to fate.”
Soon, James sent the application form to my email.
Just as I finished filling it out, Jasper came home.
He was carrying an enormous bouquet of roses and an expensive necklace. I recognized it as a new release from a luxury brand. But after a brief glance, I tossed it into the drawer without a word.
Jasper stood there, awkward and unsure of what to do.
“Selena, are you still angry? Tell me, what can I do to make it up to you? Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”
I turned away and scooped up Snowball, the silver-shaded cat stretched out on the sofa.
Jasper brought him home two months ago.
I had always loved cats, but Jasper didn’t, so we never had one.
The day he brought Snowball home, I’d been in a terrible mood from the stress of trying to conceive. The sight of the cat instantly lifted my spirits.
Jasper, seeing how much joy Snowball brought me, decided the cat was a blessing. He took over all the duties – from feeding time to litter box cleaning.
“Selena, how about we go out to sea? You’ve always wanted to see the ocean, right? We can take a cruise, and at night, we’ll watch the stars from the deck. I know it’s hard to forget what happened yesterday, but I’ll do my best to make it up to you. Selena, I swear, I’m still the Jasper you love, and that will never change.”
I looked at the man kneeling on the floor, swearing his devotion, and felt a hollow emptiness in my chest. Before I knew it, I found myself nodding.
Jasper lit up instantly, the gloom from before disappearing as he rushed off to book tickets and plan the trip.
Perhaps because I chose to stay quiet, Molly grew bolder.
She sent me a picture of a corgi.
“Dear Selena, this is a gift Mr. Brook bought to cheer me up. I adore dogs, so I won’t let you have this one. Oh, by the way, how’s that cat? I’m allergic to cat fur, so I couldn’t keep it even though it was a gift from Mr. Brook. He said you liked it, so he let you keep it instead.”
“Selena, what do you think? In a fight between a cat and a dog, who would win?”
