“This is not Felix’s child.”

My body reflexively lost its balance, and I took a few steps back, surprised by what I had just heard. I had indeed suspected something about Clara coming to Felix and claiming to be pregnant with Felix’s child.

But I didn’t expect my suspicions to be true. And I didn’t know how Clara convinced Felix of that. Felix even seemed to love Clara so much at the moment, which meant that Felix was looking forward to the baby’s birth.

“Don’t be surprised, Alice. Haven’t you suspected it all along?” Clara laughed guiltlessly.

“I’m going to tell Felix about it,” I said with fiery eyes.

Hearing that, Clara laughed even harder. “Yes, just say it, Alice. You have no proof and will only feel embarrassed,” she retorted.

It was true that I had no evidence of what Clara had said. But I didn’t want Felix to get caught up in Clara’s evil plan. I knew Clara still loved Felix so much and was unwilling to let Felix be my husband.

“Do you think Felix will trust you?” I said irritably, emphasizing my words.

“Then, you think you are the one Felix trusts the most?”

I wanted to scratch the triumphant smile off her face. I have hated Clara ever since Felix first introduced me to her. She always has a way of getting under my skin, making Felix and I fight big time. But now I’ve learned a little of her cunning game.

“You’re just a lucky orphan loved by the Richard family, Alice. How sad!” she said, looking at me with disgust.

Yes, I confirmed her words even though it hurt. I was an orphan who grew up in an orphanage. That’s where I met and became friends with Felix because Richard’s family was one of the biggest donors to the orphanage where I lived.

From that moment on, I depended a little on Felix for my life, and Felix didn’t mind that either. But I never intended to take advantage of his kindness. It’s just that being so comfortable around Felix made me fall in love.

Our closeness became more of a concern for Richard’s family, and I began to be treated like an essential part of them. Felix’s parents selflessly bore the burden of my education and my life.

“You’re good at taking advantage of people, Alice.” Clara patted me on the shoulder several times.

I brushed her hand away. ‘Watch your mouth, Clara!’ I snapped at her, feeling resentful of her words.

“Oops! Did I hurt you, Mrs. Sycophant?” she taunted.

“Bitch!” I replied without hesitation to her taunt.

Clara’s mouth opened. I turned off the stove and prepared food, trying to ignore her. She was the one who started the argument with me, so I just served her. I also told her not to talk to me earlier. Clara herself couldn’t resist teasing me.

After all, what I said wasn’t entirely wrong if the baby didn’t belong to Felix; that meant Clara was also having a relationship with another man.

“How dare you!” Clara grabbed my shoulder and pulled me so I was forced to face her and...

SLAP!

A slap landed on my cheek. The sound of the blow was so loud that it echoed in every corner of the room until it made me feel like there was blood in my mouth.

It hurt a lot. But I wasn't caught off guard. I laughed out loud, making Clara look even more inflamed with emotions that she finally couldn't bear.

“Ah, that’s fun.” I took a deep breath to show Clara that the slap didn’t bother me. It wouldn’t even affect my life. I knew she was furious but was still trying to restrain herself so I wouldn’t tell Felix. But I was already having fun with this.

“I could kill you, Alice!” Clara threatened.

I stared into her sharp eyes. “Hmm... is that so?” I challenged her

However, it was my fault because I assumed Clara was bluffing. She suddenly pulled my hair very strongly and started the attack. I replied that I did not want to lose to her, so I pulled her long hair back. But Clara pushed me with all her strength.

My body was pushed hard, and my stomach hit the ceramic edge of the kitchen and then I sat sprawled on the floor as an intense pain spread throughout my stomach.

Meanwhile, Clara was laughing hysterically.

“Hey, you still don’t believe me, Alice? I never play around when I attack,” Clara said with a cold-blooded, murderous gaze.

Scary!

“You could go to jail if you kill me, Clara,” I stammered in pain.

“I can turn the murder into something that looks like you committed suicide.”

Every step she took towards me scared me. With the pain continuing to eat away at my body, I got up and ran up the stairs to my room to escape. All I could think about at that moment was saving my unborn child. Nothing else.

Unfortunately, when I reached the top of the stairs, Clara caught up with me and tried to pull me back. I, who was still fully conscious, immediately held on.

“You’ve lost your mind, Clara!” I shouted.

Clara pulled me back. “You take everything from me, Alice! I hate you!” Clara shouted back.

I kept trying to avoid her, but the back of my shirt was gripped tightly by her, so I fell, and now, my stomach hit the stairs.

I screamed as the pain became unbearable. But simultaneously, I heard Clara scream, followed by a series of loud bangs. And when I turned around, I found Clara rolling down the stairs until she collapsed at the bottom.

I couldn’t bear to look at her, but I also didn’t have the energy to help. My vision started to blur as I realized blood was spilling out of my body, scattered on the floor.

I opened my eyes slowly because my body felt so sore and found myself in a white room with the sound of an electrocardiogram machine filling the room where I was lying. I didn’t see anyone around me when I realized I was in the hospital. Somehow, I got there.

My stomach still hurts, even though it’s not as painful as before.

“Ah, you’re finally conscious, Ma’am.” A nurse entered.

I replied with a weak nod, hoping to get good information from the nurse about my condition. I don’t know how long I was unconscious, but I remember everything that happened to Clara and me. I remember very well that Clara’s condition was not my fault. I didn’t push her at all.

“How long have I been unconscious?” I asked.

“One week, Ma’am,” the nurse replied while examining my condition.

Ah, I didn’t think it had been that long. But why didn’t Felix show up in front of me? He should at least be worried about our baby if he weren’t worried about me.

“My baby! How is my baby? He’s fine, right?” I just remembered that. I tried to sit impatiently, waiting to hear from the nurse, but my stomach felt even worse than I thought, causing me to collapse back on the pillow.

The nurse tried to calm me down, but I was not calm, of course. Maybe this is the right time to tell Felix I am pregnant with his child.

“Is there a family that can be contacted to discuss your condition and that of your fetus, ma’am?” asked the nurse.

“Family? So, there’s been no one to accompany me all this time?”

The nurse shook her head. “We tried to talk to your husband, but he didn’t want to.”

Instantly, my chest tightened at the sound of it. Felix wasn’t the slightest bit worried about me. He didn’t show the slightest concern and acted as if we were strangers. I felt that Felix was starting to consider me not as his wife.

I have been thrown away now.

“Then just tell me. What happened to me and my fetus?” I asked forcefully.

“You had a miscarriage, Ma’am. And we had to remove your womb immediately because if left in, it would be dangerous for you.”

My gaze was blank, and my ears suddenly deaf, unable to hear anything around me: silence but no calm in my mind. Yes, my world had collapsed. The womb that had been my reason for survival between Felix and Clara was gone. Then what was the point of living now? Everything was gone.

My heart was cracked, shattered, then turned to ashes. Everything was useless.

“Ma’am, are you okay?” Slowly, the nurse’s voice was heard again.

I just nodded uncertainly in response to the nurse’s question.

“It’s gotten so bad because you were late coming to the hospital. Otherwise, even if you had a miscarriage, it’s possible that you wouldn’t have had to experience fetal damage, Ma’am.”

“So?” I am weak, but I still asked it.

“You won’t be able to get pregnant again after removing the womb.”

I burst into tears. My pride in being a woman was being able to give birth to a child. Now it’s gone. I am a useless woman. Even if I reincarnate into life after this, I will feel worthless.

“What about my husband?”

“He came with his other wife and asked for an ambulance to pick you up at home.”

His other wife. It must be Clara. Felix was only worried about Clara, the cause of the destruction of my life.

Not only Clara but Felix is also guilty of what happened to me!

I didn’t ask Felix to prioritize me over Clara because I also knew how Clara was feeling at the time. But at least he took us to the hospital at the same time. He didn’t just come to take Clara without thinking about me.

The information the nurse said cut me to the core.

“Please contact your family to ask for their consent for the surgical removal of your womb.” The nurse ended the conversation.

I was still silent, full of anger, disappointment, sadness, and regret all at once. The pain in my stomach was unmatched by the collapse of my world in just a moment. Who should I share my sorrow with if even my husband is indifferent?

Besides, I have no family. Since I was a child, I lived in an orphanage because my parents had an accident and died. Felix was the only one after that. If I told my in-laws, I would be blamed, too. They would think I was making up stories.

All that was left was myself.

“Alice!” Felix shouted, suddenly coming and yelling at me.

I turned around with a feeling of resignation. “What is it this time?” I asked weakly.

“You killed my baby and Clara!” Felix snapped.

Ah, I see. Clara might have a miscarriage, too. But really, I didn’t push her in the slightest. Even on those stairs, I didn’t touch her. She was the one who tried to push me off. Yeah, I thought this would happen. Their love was so strong, and I was the culprit for them.

“But Clara is still alive, Felix. You can have another baby with her,” I remarked indifferently.

Yes, bland. There wasn’t the slightest desire to defend myself against such accusations. I was already immersed in a reality that hurt me so much. My body could move, but my heart was paralyzed.

“ALICE!” Felix shouted.

“DON’T YELL AT ME!” I replied, raising my tone even though my voice was trembling violently.

I pointed at his face while glaring at him. “You and your whore are the killers!” I snapped.

“What do you mean? You’re still alive.”

“It doesn’t matter if you believe it or not, but Clara tried to hurt me, and she fell herself.” I started to slow down my voice a little.

“It was your fault, Alice. You—”

“It was your fault! You only defended the whore who didn’t carry your child!”

Felix was instantly silent. He stared at me in disbelief. His gaze showed that he was not ready to accept the fact that the child Clara had conceived was not his. His desire to be with Clara again was extreme, as could be seen in his eyes.

It could be seen in his eyes; Felix never wanted me.

“It should have been you who died, Alice.” Felix cursed me and then left.

Felix's curse didn't come true that easily.

The womb removal operation was successful. After two weeks of recovery at the hospital, I returned to Felix's house. The person who hasn't shown up at all since he cursed me to death. I confessed to the doctor that I had no family, and I signed the operation consent letter myself.

I felt sorry for myself.

I hoped that while I was having surgery, there would be someone sitting outside the operating room waiting and praying that God would save me for them and that I could return to them in the best possible condition. But that was just the hope of someone without one in this life.

After post-operative recovery, I decided to divorce Felix.

I will return to Felix's house with a divorce letter and a large bag to transport all my belongings. After learning that he did not want me, I did not apologize and would not beg for his love again.

My sorrow has not been healed, but I want to get up for my life in the future. For that reason, I decided to release Felix from my life.

“Mrs. Richard, you're back!” Shouted my driver, who opened the front gate of Felix's house to greet me so warmly.

“Not Mrs. Richard. I'm Alice Jazellin.” I emphasized that I no longer had any relationship with Felix.

“What do you mean? Please don't go, ma'am. Mr. Felix will soon realize how much he loves you, Mrs. Alice.”

I gave my driver a small smile. I was glad that at least one person wanted me to be there. But after all, this was Felix's house.

“Why is it so quiet, sir? Where is Mr. Felix?” I asked.

The driver just bowed his head without answering. For that reason, I entered the house. And I found it beautifully decorated—with balloons, candles, flowers, and much more. In the middle of it all, Clara and Felix hugged each other, missing each other.

Of course, I was hurt to see the man I loved hugging his ex-girlfriend. But there was nothing I could do. Felix looked so happy, comfortable, and calm with Clara. I saw that this was the umpteenth time Felix had fallen in love with Clara.

With the same great love. Unbeatable.

I stayed in place, trying to remain calm, waiting for them to finish and only then talk to Felix. But no! The fact was that I couldn't see the two of them any longer, and I decided to leave without being seen by them.

“Sir, why didn't you tell me a Clara was in this house?” I was angry with my private driver.

“I don't know how to tell you, ma'am.”

“All right. I'm sorry for scolding you,” I said guiltily.

I took some money from my bag and Felix's divorce papers. I gave it all to the driver.

“Thank you for your good work, sir. Please give this letter to Mr. Felix,” I said and left.

I shouldn't have to think about my belongings at Felix's house if I knew I would only get more hurt when I met Felix, who could never escape Clara. I admit that they are a lover who are compatible. Their love is equal.

I gave Felix up for Clara, I swear. But I can never forgive what they have done to destroy my life.

Now, I have no one but myself. Even if I die, there will be no family to mourn for me. For my miscarriage alone, I mourned alone, and my baby's father went back to his ex-girlfriend. I would love to laugh at my unfortunate fate.

Beep... beep... beep...

My cell phone rang, and Felix's name was on the screen. I immediately answered the phone, curious what he wanted to say after days of not seeing me, not contacting me, not even knowing if I was still alive or not.

“Come home now!” his voice sounded commanding and firm.

I didn't answer immediately. Go home where? I don't have a place to live now, and I don't know where I'm going and what I will do in the future.

“Alice, do you hear me?” Felix began to raise his tone of voice.

“I'm on my way home,” I replied listlessly.

“Where are you going? I heard you went home, but go out again.”

“Can I ask you one last favor?” I ignored his question about my return.

I just stopped by earlier. I didn't go home because ever since I had the divorce papers in my hand, I had no place in the house or Felix's heart.

“What do you mean by last request?”

I was silent for a long time because my throat was choked. If I kept talking, my voice would sound trembling and sad. I didn't want Felix to know that I wasn't okay. Maybe he wouldn't care, but it's better to keep it that way than to ask about my situation after hearing my sad voice.

“Please sign the divorce papers that I left with the House Driver. Then, let's not contact each other and meet again,” I said finally.

There was silence for a moment. I didn't understand why Felix was silent after I had stated my wish. Either he didn't hear or was overjoyed that I had freed him from our friendship, brotherhood, and marriage. I released him from all his relationships with me.

“I don't want to,” Felix replied threateningly.

“Mr. Felix, I'm just asking for your signature.”

“I told you I don't want to!”

My steps stopped. "It's okay," I sighed.

The court has accepted my divorce lawsuit. Next is mediation and trial. And if Felix doesn't show up for those two things, it will be even easier for me to disappear from his life immediately. I'm not asking for anything from my divorce lawsuit. I want to let go.

“After I gave you everything, you want to leave?!” Felix shouted again from across. From his voice, he sounded like he had lost his temper.

“I didn't ask for it, Felix. You gave it to me.”

“Then you have to pay for everything. Don't expect to get away from me if you don't pay for it, Alice!”

My sadness grew.