I’m Not Your Second Choice

Terrance thought I had been in the bathroom too long and came to check. The moment he opened the door, a sharp scream from Stephanie came from behind him.

He didn't even glance at me before turning and rushing back.

Stephanie had knocked her knee against the edge of the table. It was just a small bruise, but he panicked anyway. He scooped her up and ran out of the apartment.

Claude hurried after them, worry written all over his face.

The whole time, no one looked at me even though I was already unconscious, suffocating on the floor.

In the end, it was a neighbor who found me and took me to the hospital.

When I woke up, there were only 30 minutes left before my flight.

My father called. "Are you at the airport yet?"

I didn't want him to worry, so I kept my voice steady. "Yeah. I'll call you and Mom after I land."

He was the kind of man who could read people easily. He caught the strain in my voice right away, but he didn't say anything.

After listening to the doctor's instructions, I decided to leave everything behind and head straight to the airport.

The moment I stepped out of the hospital room, I ran into Terrance and the others.

He was carrying Stephanie in his arms. When he saw me, his brows knit together. "What are you doing here?"

"Mom, you really will do anything to steal Stephanie's attention," Claude said, looking at me with open disgust. "You even followed us to the hospital and made yourself look like a patient."

Then he delivered the final blow. "Let me tell you something. Even if you died, Dad and I wouldn't spare you a second glance. Not unless you were as gentle and kind as Stephanie."

This was the child I carried for nine months, the one I almost lost my life bringing into the world. Yet he said something like that to me.

Whatever was left in my heart went completely still.

"Terrance, I'm so hungry," Stephanie said softly, pressing a hand to her stomach. "I want something to eat, but my knee hurts so much that I can't walk."

Without hesitation, Terrance answered, "What do you want? I'll go get it."

Stephanie shook her head stubbornly. "You and Claude have already been running around for me all day. I don't want to trouble you anymore."

At that, Terrance's gaze shifted to me. His tone turned commanding. "You seem free. Go buy something for Stephanie. Claude and I will stay here with her."

I was in a rush to catch my flight. I didn't want to waste time arguing, so I just gave a quick nod.

Terrance frowned slightly, suspicious of how easily I agreed. He was about to say something, but Stephanie called out in pain again, pulling his attention away. He carried her off.

I watched their retreating backs and let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh before turning and leaving that place behind.

Right before I boarded the plane, my phone suddenly rang.

It was Terrance calling.