Begging for Nothing

Unlike me, Vivienne had to undergo an emergency abortion.

We held each other and wept, completely losing hope in our marriages.

The pain from postpartum contractions sent tremors through my entire body. Just reaching for my phone and dialing took everything I had.

After ten attempts, Lucas finally picked up.

"Are you out of your mind, Miranda?" His voice was sharp with irritation. "I told you to stop calling. You just won't quit, huh?"

A trace of mockery flickered in my eyes. "Let's get a divorce, Lucas."

He froze for a moment, then his anger flared. "I already told you, Cass and I are just friends! She was running a fever and stranded on a cliff. Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? She's so fragile—what if something happened to her?

"Stop jumping to conclusions the moment you hear Cass' name! And don't think that just because you're pregnant, I won't divorce you!"

With that, he hung up.

Tears streamed down my face, dripping onto my phone.

"Mandy, it hurts—my stomach hurts so much."

She lay in the hospital bed beside mine, her once slightly round belly now flattened. Her face was deathly pale, her lips trembling.

"But my heart hurts even more—"

I was devastated. I wished I could take her pain away. But my own body—and my heart—was already shattered beyond repair.

Earlier, when I called Lucas, I heard Vivienne's husband, Zachary, in the background. His voice sounded anxious and gentle as he comforted Cassandra.

How ridiculous!

Our childhood sweethearts—or husbands—abandoned us to be by another woman's side.

Just then, Vivienne's phone rang. It was Zachary.

The moment she picked up, he started cursing. "I swear, you're hopeless! I've told you countless times to stay away from Miranda—she's nothing but a petty woman! I've hated her since we were kids, but you never listened to me!

"Do you even realize what's happening? Cass was hanging off a steep cliff, several feet above the ground! Lucas was trying to save her, and yet Miranda chose that exact moment to call him!

"She obviously has bad intentions! And you're always with her. Aren't you afraid of karma? What if it all comes back to our baby?"

Then, just like Lucas, he hung up.

Vivienne closed her eyes, a single tear slipping down her cheek. Her number had been blocked as well.

"Mandy, we've known them for so many years. How did things turn out like this? He even cursed our baby, saying we'd face retribution. Well, now the baby is gone. Maybe that's his retribution. He doesn't care about me or the baby. I haven't seen him in almost half a month."

Vivienne broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. Her hand rested on her now-flat belly, mourning the baby she had once eagerly awaited.

"I'm sorry, Vivi. This is all my fault." I covered my face in despair, crying so hard I could barely breathe.