“What’s happening here?”

My voice broke the quiet, and both their heads snapped toward me. Gabriel stiffened, his arms still loosely around Nadia, while she quickly wiped her eyes like she’d been crying.

“Amanda,” Gabriel said, stepping away from Nadia. “It’s not what it looks like.”

Nadia offered a small, teary smile. “He was just comforting me. I was overwhelmed after everything.”

“Overwhelmed?” I crossed my arms. “What exactly happened, Nadia? Why were you even out with Gabriel that night? Why are you here? You didn’t even tell me!”

Their shared glance was brief but telling. For a moment, neither spoke, perhaps not knowing what lie they would tell me. Then Nadia leaned forward, her voice soft and measured. “It was supposed to be a surprise. For you.”

“A surprise,” I echoed, disbelief lacing my words.

“Yes.” Nadia nodded. “Gabriel and I planned something for his birthday. To surprise you. We’re best friends and these past years, I became busy so I couldn’t talk to you and I thought you were mad so I decided to surprise you, but then the accident happened before we could tell you.”

My laugh was bitter, hollow. “A surprise? That’s what you’re going with?” I shook my head, my chest tightening. “Funny, because I was planning a surprise too. Guess we all got what we didn’t expect.”

Gabriel frowned, stepping closer. “What are you talking about?”

“Your apartment,” I said, forcing my tone to remain calm. “I stopped by early that morning to drop something off. Thought I’d set everything up before coming back in the evening for your birthday. But then…” I trailed off, gesturing vaguely toward the hospital around us. “Well, I got your call.”

Gabriel blinked, his confusion evident. “The box? The cake? That was you?”

“Yes, I mean, who else?” I lied. “Anyway, happy belated birthday, Gabriel. And welcome back, Nadia.” My smile was brittle, and before either could respond, I turned on my heel and walked out of the room.

The moment I stepped into the empty corridor, I knew I needed to do something. I pressed a hand to my stomach.

The baby.

I hadn’t even told him. Gabriel didn’t know, and now I didn’t know if I even should. Could a child fix the mess we’d become? Would it make him realize what we had was worth saving?

I leaned against the wall, tears threatening to spill. My chest heaved as I tried to steady my breathing, debating whether I should tell him or keep it to myself.

After what felt like hours, I made my decision. He needed to know. Whatever Gabriel’s flaws, maybe the baby would be the push he needed to finally choose me.

I turned back toward the hospital wing, determined to find him. But as I rounded the corner, the sight stopped me in my tracks.

Gabriel and Nadia. Again.

They sat together on a couch in the hallway, their heads close as they whispered. Nadia’s voice was soft but firm. “Break up with her. She’s just making everything complicated.”

My heart dropped.

Gabriel sighed, running a hand down his face. “You know I can’t. Not yet. You need her blood. The doctors said you might need more transfusions in the future because you’re sick, Nadia. If she’s around, it’ll be easier. You’ll get unlimited blood whenever you’re weak.”

I clamped a hand over my mouth, stifling the gasp that threatened to escape.

“Fine! But promise me you’ll dispose of her soon,” Nadia scoffed. “She’s been stealing you from me since college! I won’t let it happen!”

The world blurred around me. I backed away, my legs trembling. I had thought the worst was behind me, but now? Now I knew I was nothing more than a tool. He never loved me.

Wait, the baby. My baby.

I stopped in the middle of the hallway, the realization washing over me like ice water. This child deserved more. I deserved more.

I turned sharply, my footsteps purposeful as I headed for the exit.

The clinic wasn’t far. The receptionist’s voice was kind, but I barely heard her as I filled out the paperwork, my hands shaking with each stroke of the pen.

“Are you sure about this?” the nurse asked gently, her gaze searching mine.

My voice was steady, though my heart felt like it was breaking. “Yes. I want an abortion.”

“She’s been discharged,” Gabriel said as he loomed over me. “Nadia will stay here for a while. She needs care.”

I stared at him, barely able to lift my head from the pillow. My body felt heavy, drained, and weak. I just had an abortion. I needed rest. It was pretty obvious but Gabriel doesn’t care enough to notice.

“I’m not okay,” I croaked. My voice cracked. “Gabriel, I can barely move.”

“She’s your best friend,” he snapped, his eyes narrowing. “The least you could do is help take care of her. She’s been through hell.”

So had I, but the words stayed lodged in my throat. Gabriel wasn’t interested in hearing about my pain. He pretended he was but now I saw through him.

“Get up,” he demanded, pulling the blanket off me in a single, impatient motion. “She hasn’t eaten since this morning. Cook something for her.”

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself upright despite the ache in my muscles. My hands shook as I swung my legs over the side of the bed, but Gabriel didn’t seem to notice—or care. It pains me even more.

“It’s okay, Gabriel.” Nadia’s soft, sweet voice drifted from the living room. “I don’t want to be a burden. If Amanda doesn’t want me here, I can go.”

“She didn’t say that,” Gabriel shot back, glaring at me. “Amanda, tell her she’s welcome. She’s your best friend, for God’s sake. Or are you so selfish you can’t even take care of her?”

I bit back the sharp retort threatening to escape. What was the point? Gabriel had already made up his mind about who was in the wrong.

“I’ll cook,” I muttered, standing on unsteady legs.

Gabriel nodded, satisfied, as if I had just proved his point.

Nadia smiled, “Aww, thank you so much, my best friend!” She hugged me and I know behind that was her fake smile.

“Sure. Go take a rest,” I said.

The kitchen felt like a prison. My body protested with every movement, but I pushed through, refusing to let Gabriel see just how much this was costing me.

Behind me, I could hear their voices, soft and intimate. The door to the bedroom clicked shut, and for a moment, I allowed myself to hope they were simply talking.

But then the sounds started.

Low murmurs turned to breathy gasps, the unmistakable rhythm of something intimate.

I froze, the knife slipping from my hand onto the counter with a dull clatter. My stomach churned as the moans grew louder. They didn’t care that I was here.

I turned back to the stove, my hands trembling as I stirred the soup. I couldn’t let myself break down now. Not yet.

When the food was finally done, I poured it into bowls. My gaze landed on the bundle of chili leaves sitting on the counter. A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

Nadia was allergic to chili. Deathly allergic.

I grabbed a handful of the leaves and shredded them into her portion, stirring until they disappeared into the broth.

Let’s see how perfect you are now, I thought bitterly.

Since they were busy with each other and I have no room in here anymore, I decided it was time to leave. I grabbed the backpack I had packed earlier then slowly but fastly opened Gabriel’s safe to steal his money.

Ever since I had graduated, he didn’t want me to work, so I didn’t have money of my own. I thought that I was being treated like a princess, but I realized he was controlling me so I won’t have the nerve to leave him.

I grabbed all the cash in there leaving it empty. This is the least he could do after everything.

I scribbled a quick note on a piece of paper and left it on the counter. Went out to buy something.

As I turned to leave the apartment, my eyes caught on something small and familiar resting on the couch. Nadia’s designer pouch. I remember it was her favorite pouch that contained all her jewelry.

I didn’t think twice and grabbed it. She had stolen everything from me—my home, my relationship, my life. Taking this was nothing in comparison.

Without looking back, I stepped into the cool night air.

The hotel room was small but quiet, and that was all I needed.

I sat on the bed, staring blankly at the wall as the events of the day replayed in my mind. The abortion. Gabriel forcing me to care for Nadia. Their betrayal, so loud and shameless, echoing from behind the bedroom door.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, shattering the silence. Gabriel’s name lit up the screen, followed by a string of angry texts.

“What the hell did you cook?”

“Nadia’s in the hospital!”

“She’s having a reaction! The doctors said it’s critical!”

“Answer me, Amanda!”

I stared at the screen, my chest tightening. But then his earlier words came rushing back—his accusations, his indifference, his betrayal.

The airline website loaded slowly on my phone, the hotel Wi-Fi barely holding on. I scrolled through the options, my fingers hovering over the “Book Now” button.

This was it. My chance to leave it all behind—Gabriel, Nadia, the pain.

I selected the earliest flight, my heart pounding as I entered my details. The confirmation screen blinked at me.

Taking a deep breath, I pressed Confirm, then I blocked his number without hesitation.