Bittersweet

He turned pale when he saw my expression. “What’s the matter? Why are you crying?”

Instead of the chat box, his computer screen now showed my medical report.

He instantly hugged me, looking nervous. “What happened, babe?”

I looked at him and let the tears fall. “No news either this month.”

He glanced at the screen and heaved a sigh of relief. “Geez, you scared me. Didn’t I say we could take it slow with having kids? You’re getting worked up again.”

His eyes were loving as he pinched my cheek. “You’re the only baby I need in this family.”

I fell silent, at a loss for what to say.

He wiped away my tears gently and turned off the computer without a word before leading me to the living room.

“It’s almost time for your period. I put the bed covers in the bedside drawer.

“I made beef stew for dinner. You should eat more to replenish your body’s supply of iron.

“The supplements are on the counter. I’ll check if you took them tonight, so don’t forget.”

I still did not say anything.

He tapped my forehead lightly, his tone sweet. “I bought a sweeter version this time, don’t worry.”

He had been so considerate for the past three years. He barely let me do anything, and his gaze was always overflowing with devotion.

I had no idea when his heart started drifting.

After setting me down on the couch, he took off his loungewear lazily. When he grabbed his shirt with his back toward me, I saw some red marks on his lower back.

I only realized once he had gotten dressed. They were scratch marks, but I had not left them.

It was the other woman.

Ethan took the car keys and was about to leave when he turned around to beckon me. “Jasmine, come here.”

I walked up to him mechanically.

He patted my head. “Don’t stay at home and overthink. If you’re bored, go out shopping.

“I have to meet a client tonight so I might be back late. Don’t wait for me.

“And remember to take your meds! I’ll check.”

From this close, I could see the fountain pen in his shirt pocket. My eyes trembled.

He found fountain pens annoying, so he had been using ballpoint pens for the past two years. However, the pen in his pocket looked worn, like it was well-used.

I suddenly remembered how I had praised his writing when he wrote me love notes back then. He had seemed dazed for a moment before telling me he had a great calligraphy teacher, Mr. Swann.

Mr. Swann had praised Ethan by saying his writing was even better than his daughter.

His daughter’s name… was Anna Swann.

So it was her.

His ex who ran away from the altar.