Babies and Departures

As I left, I saw a brief flicker of panic in Quentin's eyes.

However, just as he was about to chase after me, Kelly was suddenly howling in pain and clutching her belly. "Quentin, my stomach hurts…"

Quentin worriedly took her hands. "What's wrong?"

Kelly's face was pale, but she pretended to care more about us. "I'm alright, Quentin! You have to get Jolin back—I think she's really upset."

Quentin remained hesitant, but he soon shook his head. "She's just throwing a tantrum. Honestly, she doesn't know enough to read the room, trying to grab my attention when you're pregnant. Let's get you checked again—I'll talk to her later tonight."

And with that, he scooped her up in his arms and returned to the clinic.

As for me, I returned to my house alone.

It used to be a place of warmth and happiness, but now, it was cold and desolate.

Ever since Kelly returned to the country, Quentin rarely came home, leaving me alone in the huge house.

Still, I started to clean up.

I took my wedding photo of the wall and flung it violently into a garbage bag, and I packed all my belongings into a suitcase.

However, when I reached the door, I saw two figures approaching.

Quentin had actually taken Kelly home!

There was a hint of guilt on his face when he saw my suitcase, and he quickly said, "Kelly's sick. I brought her back so she can rest."

"Rest?" I snorted. "Is our house a hotel? Don't you know enough to send her to the hospital? This isn't the maternity ward!"

Rage appeared in Kelly's eyes for a moment, but she soon pouted miserably. "I knew you never liked me, but Quentin and I are innocent. I'm just alone and helpless, and he's the only one I can count on to take care of me. I'll be gone as soon as I deliver my baby—I swear I won't be a bother…"

It was a clear insult, and I glared at her coldly in turn. "I don't want to see your face right now. Leave."

Quentin frowned right then. "How can you be so cold?! Kelly's pregnant! Where should she stay, huh?! At least we can both take care of her if she stays with us!"

I took a deep breath and calmly said, "This is my house. I don't want her in it."

That left Quentin at a loss, but that was when Kelly grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly, sniffling, "My stomach's hurting again. Do you think the baby's really fine?"

Quentin's face dropped, and he wheeled on me, bellowing, "You're a woman too, Jolin! How can you be so cold?! Kelly's pregnant and has no one to count on, but you can't even sympathize! If you don't like it here, you can leave! I won't let Kelly's baby get hurt, one way or another!"

I felt myself dying inside even as I held his gaze, but I eventually nodded. "Fine, I'll leave. Tonight's the last night, and I'll be gone tomorrow."

And with that, I picked up the garbage bag and started out the door.

Kelly clearly saw the wedding photo in the bag and feigned surprise as she gasped, "Oh, Ms. Lester, please, calm down! How could you leave your own wedding photo in pieces?'

Quentin saw it too but snorted in disdain. "Don't bother—she's just bluffing like she always does. She won't ever leave me, and she'll calm down before long."

I trudged on silently into the cold winter night, the chill of the winds cutting into my bones.

Even so, I opened the trash chute and threw the wedding photo inside, and with it, all my love for Quentin.