Bill looked awkward, unsure what to say.

Judging by his calm demeanor, he probably knew about "Ashley."

Bill had been Jake's right-hand man for about four or five years.

He's met me before and is always polite and respectful.

He's usually the one who sends me Jake's travel itinerary.

I guess he helped keep this secret.

The cramps were getting worse.

I knew I looked pale and weak.

Bill probably thought I was devastated by the betrayal. He looked worried.

I didn't want to talk about it.

I managed a weak smile. "Could you do me a favor? Don't tell Jake I was here."

Bill looked surprised.

He must have expected me to throw a fit, like in those old movies.

But I was calm. It was like nothing had happened.

I met Bill's gaze and waited for his answer.

After a long pause, he seemed to understand. He nodded.

Jake was still his boss, so I couldn't fully trust him.

I asked the mall manager to take me to County General Hospital instead of the private hospital where Jake had taken Ashley.

I was a mess. I didn't want to see Jake, especially not being all tender and worried over that woman.

At the hospital, the doctor gave me a thorough exam.

"Mrs. Thompson, the shock of the incident, combined with the early stage of your pregnancy, means you need to be on bed rest. Otherwise, it's unlikely you'll be able to carry the baby to term."

I gently touched my still-flat stomach. I felt a surge of tenderness.

There was a tiny spark of life growing inside me, a little being made of me and Jake. A life I’d wanted for seven years.

Too bad we weren't in love anymore.

Jake and I were high school sweethearts.

We'd known each other forever, and for ten years, we’d been inseparable.

Everyone said we were the perfect example of love.

There was just one little shadow over all of that. After seven years of marriage, I couldn't get pregnant.

I longed for us to have a baby.

But now happiness had come, unexpected, yet at the right time.

Lately, I’d been sleeping more and feeling nauseous. I thought it was just stress from work messing with my stomach.

The hospital test revealed that it was actually a baby.

The ironic thing was that I had gone to the mall to buy a little something to celebrate and tell Jake the news in person.

I was imagining how excited he would be.

"I don't want this baby. Just schedule the procedure."

The doctor had seen it all before.

She urged me to think about it some more.

I looked down at my stomach. After a moment of hesitation, I made up my mind.

Jake and I didn't have a future. Our marriage was already broken.

Despite the pain, I couldn't selfishly keep the baby. I didn't want my child growing up in a broken home.