Beyond Retrieval

The entire outer secretary area fell silent. All the girls kept their heads down, afraid of provoking Gary.

His words twisted painfully in my chest.

I swallowed the sourness in my throat, tugged at the corner of his sleeve, and took the initiative to break the suffocating atmosphere by saying quietly, "I'm hungry."

With a stern face, he pulled out his phone and ordered a nutritious meal from the hotel to be sent to the room.

The food arrived quickly. The plating was exquisite, and the ingredients were high-end, light, and healthy, completely meeting his requirements.

He did not sit down to accompany me.

"Take your time eating. I have a team gathering. It's just downstairs in the courtyard."

I walked to the balcony facing the courtyard and saw his so-called 'team gathering'.

Beside the long buffet table, his siren-like secretaries surrounded him in their flashy outfits, smiling radiantly. His posture was relaxed, a wine glass perched on one hand. His other hand rested naturally on the back of the chair of the secretary beside him.

He looked like a king holding court, and that secretary was his favorite.

My mind flashed back to several years ago. I had been jealous of his overly attractive secretary team and made a fuss about him replacing them.

He laughed at me for being petty, saying secretaries were the company's image. He told me to be understanding and not make trouble. He cupped my face and swore that in this lifetime, both body and heart, he would have only me.

Over the years, he truly had not been involved in any scandalous rumors. However, at that moment, that secretary in the super short skirt giggled as she picked up a grape and brought it to his lips in the courtyard below.

He did not hesitate and naturally lowered his head to eat it. My chest suddenly felt tight, and I could barely breathe.

Next, the secretary stood up, seemingly wanting to go to the nearby swing. However, she 'accidentally' stumbled and cried out, her entire body falling into Gary's arms.

Gary's hand easily caught her waist as he joked with a smile, "This is what you get for always dieting. Now you can't even walk straight?"

As he spoke, he scooped her up and walked a few steps to the swing, gently placing her on it.

My eyes stung from the scene. I gripped my cold phone tightly and used all my strength to hurl it down toward that glaring scene of laughter and cheer below.

Splash!

The phone hit the center of the heated pool in the courtyard, sending up a huge spray of water.

The playful noise below stopped abruptly. Everyone was startled by the sudden commotion and looked up in alarm.

Gary also looked up, and his gaze found me precisely on the balcony. Across the distance, our eyes met.

I gripped the balcony railing and shouted hoarsely at that blurry figure, "Gary Mitchell! Get up here now!"

Gary came quickly. He pushed open the door, his face ashen.

I grabbed the pillow beside me and threw it hard at him. He did not dodge, and the pillow hit him softly.

His eyes were dark. "What are you making a fuss about now?"

I pointed at the healthy meal on the table in front of me.

"Why do you get to eat barbecue and drink wine while I can only eat this garbage?"

He said coldly, "Carrie, be reasonable. You're pregnant. The doctor said you need a light diet.

"This is all for your own good. Once the baby is born, you can eat whatever you want. Okay?"

The baby again. How much more did I have to sacrifice for this baby?

Besides, I did not even like children. He replaced my birth control pills and got me pregnant.

He walked over, picked up a fork, and lifted a piece of kale to feed to me. His tone softened, like he was coaxing a disobedient child.

"Ahh… Open up!"

I turned my face away sharply, avoiding the vegetable as tears welled up against my will.

"All you see is the baby! Just because I'm pregnant with this baby, I don't even have the freedom to choose what I eat?"