My dad died saving Julian, yet on the anniversary of his death, Julian disappeared.

I scrolled through trending videos and saw a girl talking about how ashes can be turned into rings.

Then, I got a call from the cemetery manager. He said that Julian had taken my dad's ashes earlier that afternoon.

Remembering that video, I checked my phone. Unsurprisingly, Julian had left an outrageous comment.

"This experiment looks good. When we're gone, let's have our kids combine our ashes together."

I let out a cold laugh, putting away the early ultrasound report I had in my hand.

"If you're that inseparable, I'll make sure you both go to hell together!"

——

At 1 a.m., Julian finally came home.

Just an hour earlier, I had returned home myself.

After getting the call from the cemetery manager, I rushed back to the cemetery to check the security footage.

The footage showed that shortly after I left, Julian and a girl arrived, and she was carrying an urn.

Julian, under the pretense of placing some belongings, swapped the urns.

The manager later realized something was off and called me to confirm.

Thinking back to the video and Julian's comments, I pieced together what had happened.

What I didn't expect was for him to lie beside me now, without a care in the world.

As Julian lay down next to me, I could smell a faint mix of wine and women's perfume on him.

"Where were you today? Why didn't you answer my calls?"

Annoyed, he turned his back to me, mumbling incoherently, "Work was busy. I had meetings all day. I'm exhausted, can we talk tomorrow?"

Meetings? Were you busy with work, or busy turning my dad into some experiment for your love?

"Do you even remember what today is?"

Maybe it was the coldness in my voice, or maybe it was his guilty conscience.

Either way, as soon as I asked, he rolled over and wrapped his arms around me.

His voice was clear now, no trace of the earlier grogginess.

"Honey, I was so busy today, I totally forgot. Was it an anniversary? I didn't get you a gift, but I promise I'll make it up to you tomorrow!"

"Make it up? What kind of gift do you think makes up for a death anniversary?"

At that, Julian's body stiffened, but then he relaxed again.

"I'm sorry, honey. I've just been so busy that it slipped my mind. Tomorrow, I'll personally go to Dad's grave and apologize."

I struggled and pushed his arm off me.

"You definitely owe him an apology."

Julian was starting to get irritated again.

"Come on, why are you making such a fuss this late? I already said I'll apologize tomorrow. Can't you drop it?"

"I just hope you never forget what my dad asked of you before he died, and remember that he died saving your life."

"Isabella, enough! I married you, didn't I? All these years, I've respected what your dad asked of me when he died. Have I ever let you go without? Have I ever left you broke? Have I ever made you suffer? Why are you throwing his death in my face? I told you I didn't forget on purpose! I'll apologize tomorrow. Why can't you let it go?"

I sat up and looked at him, watching his face twist in anger without saying a word.

Seeing how calm I was, he lost his steam.

"Forget it. I can't talk to you. I'll sleep in the guest room."

He stormed out, grumbling as he went.

"If I had known you'd hold this 'debt' over me for the rest of my life, I'd have let that car hit me instead of your dad saving me!"

As the door slammed behind Julian, I felt like all the strength drained from my body.

All these years, I'd been afraid of making him feel guilty. I never brought up what happened, hoping to ease his burden.

This was the first time I'd mentioned it, and it drove him to such rage.

I picked up the medical report from the nightstand, which showed I was two months pregnant.

I had planned to tell him the good news, but now it didn't seem necessary anymore.

The next morning, before leaving, Julian gave me some instructions.

"I recently got a new assistant. Our families were close when we were younger, and now that her father passed away, I need to help her out more. Let's have dinner together tonight."

Seeing that I didn't respond, he softened his tone.

"Honey, are you still upset? What I said last night was just in the heat of the moment. You can't take it seriously. Don't be mad at me. I'll send you the restaurant address for tonight."

Julian, assuming he had convinced me, turned and left for work.

As soon as he stepped out, I heard his voice, soft and tender, sending a voice message to someone else.

"Layla, are you awake? What do you feel like eating? I'll bring it to you when I pick you up later.

"What do you want for dinner? I'll make reservations in advance.

"Is the ring ready? Great, I'll pick it up in a bit."

Anyone overhearing this might praise him as the perfect husband.

With such care and attention, he seemed like a man who adored his wife.

Unfortunately, all that attention wasn't for his wife.

Once he was far enough, I picked up my phone.

"Dr. Lewis, I've made my decision. Please help me book an appointment."

Julian didn't send me a single message all day.

It wasn't until dusk that he sent me the restaurant location.

He didn't even bother to pick me up, yet in the morning he willingly bought breakfast and went out of his way to pick up Layla.

By the time I arrived, they were already seated, and the food was ordered.

"Isabella, this is Layla, the one I mentioned this morning."

Even without the introduction, I already knew who she was. I'd seen that face in his photos countless times.

"Isabella, I told him not to order until you arrived, but I couldn't stop Julian."

"Layla, you don't need to explain so much. Today's dinner is for you. You're the main guest."

Watching the two of them chatting back and forth, I felt like the outsider.

It seemed intentional how Layla kept bringing up work-related topics, discussing and laughing with Julian.

Occasionally, noticing I wasn't speaking, she would fake an apologetic tone and say, "Sorry, Isabella, we got caught up talking about work and completely forgot about you."

I turned off my phone and smiled politely.

"It's fine. Your ring looks nice, where did you get it? I'd like to get one too."

I had just seen this ring in the video she posted earlier.

She was bold, wearing it so openly.

"Oh, this? It's not worth much. If you like it, you can have it, Isabella."

"Thank you."

I accepted the ring and carefully put it away.

Julian kept watching me, probably wondering why I suddenly wanted the ring.

He knew the significance of the ring, so my sudden request for it must have piqued his interest.

But I remained calm throughout. He didn't notice anything unusual, so he eventually looked away.

Once I got what I wanted, I had no intention of staying any longer.

Once the dishes were served, I took a quick glance and stood up to leave.

My actions once again sparked Julian's displeasure.

"What do you think you're doing? Don't you know how to respect people?"

I chuckled softly.

"You're here to entertain the guest. I've got other things to do, so I'm heading out."

Before leaving, I glanced back at the two of them.

Julian didn't even look at me. He was too busy picking out fish bones for his dear Layla.

He used to worry when I went downstairs at night to throw out the trash. Now, I walked home alone in the dark, and even a glance from him was too much to ask.

I pulled my coat tighter around me.

The weather was growing colder, and so were people's hearts.

Two days later, the appointment time arrived, and I went to the hospital alone.

Over the past two days, Julian hadn't even bothered coming home.

At the hospital, I signed the papers myself and went in for the procedure.

By the time the anesthesia wore off, the little life inside me had quietly disappeared.

Holding the prescribed medicine, I was about to leave when I ran into Julian and Layla in the lobby.

Layla looked pale, clutching her stomach as she leaned against Julian's chest.

When they suddenly bumped into me, Julian froze but didn't let go of Layla.

"What are you doing here? Are you sick?"

His sudden concern might've moved me if he weren't holding someone else in his arms.

Before I could reply, Layla groaned softly.

"Julian, I... it hurts."

Julian's face filled with worry as he held Layla closer.

"Layla, hang on. I'll get the doctor right away."

In his rush, Julian bumped into me on his way past.

I had just come out of surgery and was weak, so his bump knocked me to the ground.

He glanced at me on the floor, looking nervous, and seemed like he wanted to help me up.

Layla groaned again. Without another glance at me, Julian hurried off with her in his arms.

A nurse soon rushed over and helped me up.

"Do you know them? I saw you talking. Are they friends of yours? That girl just had a cold drink, which caused her cramps, but she knocked you over! You're the one who really needs rest right now."

"Thanks."

After thanking her, I went home.

Julian sent me a bunch of messages on my way home, but I ignored them all.

I packed up my things and left three documents behind before leaving the house.

I thought he'd notice those three documents quickly.

A week passed, and he didn't even realize I wasn't home.

A few more days went by, and then Valentine's Day came.

He still hadn't noticed the house was empty.

That night, I saw Layla had posted another video.

I loaded up a car with fireworks and went to a spot near the restaurant where they were having dinner.

Their table was in the perfect spot for viewing the show, so I set off a grand fireworks display just for them.

I watched as pale blue fireworks exploded in the sky.

"Wow, looks beautiful. Totally worth the money I spent on it."

On the restaurant's second floor, Layla's attention was caught by the fireworks too.

Suddenly, Layla covered her mouth in excitement. Her eyes filled with tears, as she turned to Julian and said, "Did you do this for me?"

Julian looked confused and turned around.

There, in the sky, was a line of blue text.

"Layla, I love you!"

Just as Julian was trying to figure it out, I called him.

"Don't overthink it; I set this up. Do you like it? Oh, and tell Layla, her dad's in the fireworks. I sent him up there just for her to see."

"Isabella! Are you insane?"

Julian roared in anger on the other end of the phone.

I hung up and left a comment under Layla's video.

"Did you like the fireworks? I swapped them for your dad. He's blown up now!"

Not long after, Julian kept bombarding me with calls.

I finally answered.

"Isabella, you know you messed up! Where are you hiding? Get home and apologize to Layla!"

"Calm down, Julian. I left you a gift; it's in the living room drawer."

"Whatever it is, it won't make up for what you've done to Layla!"

I heard him rummaging through things in the background.

"Wait! Honey, you're pregnant?"

Julian's voice was filled with excitement and joy.

"Yep! Keep going; there's more."

"Really? Twins, maybe?"

As the papers shuffled, his voice suddenly rose.

"Divorce? You're pregnant, and you still want a divorce? No way!"

Then, there was nothing but silence.

He must've seen the abortion papers buried at the bottom... and the tiny embryo I had preserved as a specimen.