Secrets beneath the surface

pte

een

t him in a

takable excitement about the new life. "You fainted suddenly last night-

me tests and found

r these past few days, your emotions have

e hospital for a while to

my eyes landed on the grainy image of the

ruised, found a sliver o

touch the tiny life captured on the p

rly, leaving me to grow up i

n child to endure the sam

y voice quiet bu

lightly, puzzled by

t his, as if steeling m

his child's sake, let's just... go back to ho

or a long moment bef

mall red velvet box, his fingers t

air of lily-sh

ince our wedding day. Surpri

eplied, his voice ti

the box.

ad happened thes

of this little life filled me w

all about company matters, he kis

nd to gently c

softening wi

g-do

a notification. I abs

ning a screenshot of Marth

o enlarge

r this morning's dazzling

ft they gave was this hideous pair of lily-shaped earrings-so ugly

mpanied by a self

ith a massive diamond the size of a pigeon's egg. The gemstone was exorbitantly expensive,

of my lips-where Peter had kissed me-burned as

was unco

for me. Instead, he had splurged a fortune to

to placate me with some unwa

y think so l

ven the scraps tossed my way would move me to

ke a tidal wave, threateni

h

ing me so brazenly,

to win me back with holl

eeling the worl

olted me out of my despair. I

come see me?" Paul's voice

ad already done some

something reckless, I sprang to my

t, childlike tone that gave nothing

I walked until I spotted h

, casting a fragile glow over his ashen f

are strange

me before, seeing that fragility in hi

to his level.

d you're pregnant. That even if Dad doesn't love you, h

y on earth would Martha Jan

the right words to explain t

lly upset." His voice was small, uncertain. "And that once you have anot

l these thoughts alone since f

child, after all-one who didn't even know

"That's not true, Paul. You're my child. No matter what happens, no matter ho

grin. "Aunt Janet also said..." His

ove me. He'll listen to me and divorce y

ould Martha Janet fill a child's

tal room, to sit him down and talk this through properly.

nother step, my body slid

hu

as accompanied by Paul's trembl

she poured oil

could just get y

trickled do

gony, but the searing pain in my ch

olently as dizzin

a

behavior had grown in

hinking he was just a chi

t.

should have

nd watch his own mother

led to keep my eyes open, my gaz

scurried away do

e, please help me..." But the searing pain

head, dripping into the ever-expan

ell lik

ul

a

.

ling

-this man, always so strong, so unshakable, no

I'm so

stly pale, fat tears plopping down on

t.

coul

ent he led me tow

turned his back and ran

mpletely turned

ng over and over, b

s gradually took on an edge of frustration. "Fine, if you won't f

nd brittle. "Paul, isn't it true that you've al

in his eyes, but h

low, lifeless smile. "Starting today,

mother anymore. You're free to

akable joy flash

se crossing his face at my words. "Honey,

I was. My heart felt like stagnant wate

led slowly. "Peter, let

free. Now, please..