"Miss Emily,I'm asking you for the last time.Are you sure you don't want the child?"The doctor asked repeatedly in the hospital's obstetrics and gynecology department.

The pungent smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils,making my nose twitch.My eyes reddened unexpectedly.Just then,my phone buzzed.It was a message from Michael Smith,"Honey,how are you feeling today?Still nauseous?Do you want something to eat?Wait for me at home,okay?I've got a surprise for you."

I sneered silently and placed my phone on the table."I'm sure."I told the doctor before adding,"When can the procedure be done?The sooner,the better."

——

I was three months pregnant.Michael had been attentive and submissive during these three months,cooking various dishes for me.Friends praised me for marrying such a wonderful man.But they didn't know Michael would rush to another city to embrace another man's new bride during my toughest moments of morning sickness.At the Metro station,I saw Michael clinging tightly with that other woman while their lips were locked.

"You're my life."he whispered."Don't leave me."

Their love story moved me,but why must it be built upon my pain?If I hadn't seen them at the station yesterday,I would have believed Michael had returned to our family.

Exhausted from conferences in two adjacent cities,I returned home at night.My whole body was aching.I devoured instant noodles.Tears were rolling down my cheeks.My phone beeped.It was a notification from Instagram.A beauty blogger posted a photo of two clasped hands–one strong,one delicate.There was a caption that read,

"Finally,I've found you.Thankfully,I didn't give up."

I recognized Michael's hand immediately.The mole on his hand and the ring mark on his finger.He removed his wedding ring before his mistress,thoughtful as always.

The doctor's words pulled me back from my thoughts,"Your surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 10 a.m.,Miss Emily.Please come on an empty stomach and bring someone with you."

I nodded silently,my throat constricted.

At home,Michael had prepared dinner,awaiting my return with a warm smile.His good mood pierced my heart.

"Emily,where have you been?Did you and the baby miss me?"He asked with a gentle voice before pulling me in his arms,his chest carrying the faint scent of jasmine–a fragrance that wasn't mine.

The thought of him sleeping with another woman made me feel dizzy and nauseous.I pushed him away and rushed to the bathroom,vomiting uncontrollably.

Michael rushed to my side.While holding a water cup in one hand and gently patting my back with the other he said,"Drink some water,Honey.Do you feel better?"

I saw his wedding ring back on his ring finger.I slowly straightened up,noticing the dishes on the table and a large cake.He smiled before saying,"Did you forget?Today's our third wedding anniversary."

I had forgotten.

The first year,I prepared flowers and cake,but he didn't come home for two days.When he returned,the flowers had wilted.The second year,I cooked a feast,but he disappeared.He returned drunk the next day,apologizing profusely,promising to make up for it.That's when I discovered the faint lip print on his shirt.

Clichéd soap opera plot,but it was my reality.

I tried to be a good wife and daughter-in-law for two years.After that,he thought I didn't know,but I pretended not to.I considered leaving but couldn't bear to.

I had loved Michael since high school.He was the popular,handsome,and intelligent star.I was shy and introverted,always pushed to the sidelines.I studied hard only to get closer to him.I finally managed to score alongside him in our senior year's last mock exam.

We attended the same university,same major.It was an unthinkable luck to me.In college,I became his errand runner.I worked hard for years,earning his confession and proposal.

How could I leave?

When I discovered our marriage's third wheel,I vowed to endure.I waited until I got pregnant,and he returned home.

It was just a temporary happiness.I wanted to ask him,'why pretend when your heart isn't mine?Why give me fleeting happiness only to snatch it away?'

I suppressed my tears.Michael helped me sit,and we ate together.All of them were my favorite dishes.While he was feeding me with smile,I asked,"Why so happy?"

He chuckled,"Client's message."

I nodded before asking,"Do you have to be so happy about work?"

His smile faltered as he said in an indifferent voice,"Emily,don't be like my mom."

I smiled bitterly and said no more words.

'This is the last time.'I vowed to myself.

Today's soup was delicious,with a hint of sweetness.Michael never cooked before.Even when I was sick,he wouldn't lift a finger.If I couldn't get out of bed,he'd say,"Let's just order takeout."

Now,he expertly prepared three dishes and a soup,romantically celebrating our anniversary.Clearly,another woman taught him.I often stumbled upon Mia Knight's posts.Each dish came with captions related to Michael.

"Men need training,just like my crush!"

"Who says cooking's hard?My idol learned quickly."

My life,good or bad,revolved around another woman.Whatever Michael did for me were taught by another woman.

Rediculous

After dinner,Michael rushed out before saying,"Emily,there is an urgent work matter.I have to go by leaving the dishes to you."

After he left,I checked Mia's profile.It had become a habit over the past year.She posted a fireworks photo,"Watching fireworks with crush."

No Michael in sight.

I scrolled through her photos while tears rolling down my cheeks.I closed her account and uninstalled the app.

No more self-deception.

I packed my clothes and essentials,quietly leaving the home and the place where I once hoped for love.I checked into a hotel,then went to the hospital the next day.Michael didn't contact me all night.Obviously,he didn't go home.I imagined him and Mia watching fireworks,holding hands,kissing.

At the hospital,the doctor handed me medication."Miss Emily,are you sure you want to give up this child?"

"I am."I said before taking the medicine.Only I know how hard it was to conceive.I remembered telling Michael I was pregnant.He was overjoyed.He promised to love and protect me.

They were all empty promises.

I waited for sometime as the procedure was agonizing.Soon,I was wheeled into the operating room.Since I was allergic to anesthesia,I had to endured the pain.I trembled,sweating,my nails digging into my flesh.

Afterward,I was weak,vomiting.No one accompanied me.I retrieved my medication alone.When I was leaving the hospital room,I overheared a couple.

"Babe,What do I do?I'm scared."

"Don't worry,baby,I'm here."

"It's your fault.You were too rough last night."