Don't Say You Love Me

By the time I returned to the bedroom, Elliot was already fast asleep. Looking at the side profile of the man I had spent years with, I felt nothing but unfamiliarity.

In his sleep, Elliot reached for my hand. "Don't go. Stay with me forever. Chelsea."

His face was filled with endless affection and dependence—an expression he had never once shown me.

The next second, Elliot's phone lit up. It was a message from a contact saved as "Princess Chelsea".

I tried unlocking his phone a few times, but none of the passwords worked. I tried my birthday, Elliot's birthday, and even Chelsea's birthday, but none of them did the trick.

I had one attempt left.

I entered the date of my daughter's death.

Unexpectedly, it worked.

How could I have forgotten? The day my daughter had died was also the day Chelsea had been given a second chance at life with my daughter's heart.

So, that was how Elliot had been quietly loving Chelsea all along.

The chat showed that Chelsea had sent a few photos. In them, her smile was brighter than the spring sun. She clung to Elliot's side like a child, and though Elliot's posture was a little stiff, he still made a heart sign with her.

"Elliot, it's always more fun going to the amusement park with you. Joshua is way too boring. You promised to take me for a photoshoot tomorrow. Don't bail on me. Love you!"

Elliot and Chelsea looked just like a couple in their honeymoon phase. Meanwhile, I felt like a fool, peeking into someone else's happiness.

Something occurred to me then—tomorrow was the day Elliot had promised to go with me to my prenatal checkup.

So, which one mattered more? Our child or the woman he loved?

I stayed awake the entire night.

I was betting on him. If Elliot chose to go to the appointment with me tomorrow, I would give him one last chance for the sake of the new life growing in my belly.

The next morning, Elliot was up early, getting ready to leave. His face was lit with excitement.

Just as he was about to step out the door, I grabbed the corner of his shirt. "Elliot, where are you going? Didn't you promise to come with me for my checkup?"

The smile on Elliot's face faded. He hesitated for a long moment before gently patting my hand.

"Holly, I'm sorry. I have a really important meeting today. I won't be able to go with you to the hospital. You're always so understanding. I know you'll support your husband while he's hard at work, right?

"Besides, you said it yourself yesterday. You've been through childbirth before. You don't need me there. Everything will go smoothly."

I kept my head down and didn't say a word.

Elliot smiled and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Be good, alright? I'll bring you back a gift."

With that, he walked away without looking back.

Watching his retreating figure, I finally gave up for good.

I checked the latest flights to Norbury and called my best friend, Roxanne Bilbury.

The flight was scheduled for the night after tomorrow. Once I got to Norbury, I would say goodbye to everything here forever.