The rain soaked me to the bone.

My heels were bloody and raw.

When my phone finally got a signal, it blew up with messages.

All from Mark.

Every word questioned why I was targeting Brittany when he had already explained that he saw her as a sister.

I ignored him. Then, a video came from an unknown number.

It showed Mark holding Brittany’s hand, going with her to an exam, kissing her fingers, begging her not to die.

I remembered when I first found out I was pregnant, I had fainted in the bathroom from low blood sugar.

I broke my leg and my stomach hurt badly.

I was terrified, and I called him for help.

He just coldly scolded me, saying he wasn’t a doctor and what was he supposed to do.

I stayed in the hospital for two weeks, but he never came to see me.

I later found out that Brittany had cut her hand cooking dinner that day, and she was crying because the doctor said she might have a scar.

So, Mark took all his anger and concern out on me.

I stopped and laughed bitterly.

I realized too late how humiliated I was.

I was trying to get a cab when Mark called.

After yelling at me, he was breathing hard and said that Brittany's heart was acting up because I scared her. He demanded that I apologize to her immediately.

I struggled to hold the flimsy umbrella. I said calmly, “I’m still at the hotel.”

As I spoke, lightning struck the dark sky with a loud crash.

Mark’s voice was tight. “It’s pouring out there. They didn’t bring you back? I’ll..."

He stopped when Brittany started crying. “Is Ashley mad? It's all my fault. Maybe I should have died overseas..."

Mark soothed her.

Then he snapped at me. “You did this to yourself. What are you complaining about? If you could've been more open-minded earlier, I wouldn't have left you behind..."

My last nerve snapped. I smiled and interrupted him. “Let’s get a divorce. I’m not apologizing to Brittany. The problem isn’t me, it’s you two."

Since they couldn’t let each other go.

Why did Mark even come for me?

He was the one who confessed to me first. He was the one who said he wanted to be with me forever, so I chose him.

Ten years. Were their feelings and youth valuable, but mine were worthless?

I hung up, and soon a cab arrived.

In the car, Mark texted again: [Ashley, you have to take responsibility for your mistakes. I've corrupted you over the past ten years. Who else do you think would want you? And you got pregnant with my baby on purpose.]

I stared at the message.

I thought that after today, nothing could make me more upset, but I was wrong.

I opened the window, letting the cold wind hit my face. The confusion and pain gradually cleared.

I told the driver to turn around and take me to the hospital.

I was still wearing my muddy wedding dress.

When I walked into the hospital lobby, a nurse asked if I needed help.

I calmly told her that I was there for an abortion.

She paused, her eyes full of pity, and led me to the third floor.

As I lay on the operating table, listening to my baby’s heartbeat on the ultrasound, I called Mark.

Brittany answered, crying and apologizing.

Soon, Mark took the phone, scoffing. “Ashley, it’s too late to say sorry. You hurt Brittany so badly. You better come over and apologize to her on your knees, or I’ll never forgive you.”

I swallowed the words I wanted to say and looked at the doctor. “Please start.”

“The baby is healthy. Do you want to talk to the father again?”

“No.”

...

Back at the house, everything was the same.

It seemed Mark had been with Brittany these past few days.

I opened Brittany’s social media.

She had posted a lot of new updates.