Song of the Quiet Flame

"Elaine, you've been part of the Carter family for a long time.

"In all these years, we've never shortchanged you, right? No kids yet—how does that look? The gossip is unbearable.

"You might not worry about your reputation, but the Carters have a name to uphold.

"If things don't change, it may be time for you to step aside."

Mandy's words were calm, her tone low, affording Elaine her pride.

Elaine was about to respond when Mandy said, "I wasn't happy when Jasper wanted to marry you. I only agreed with great reluctance.

"To be frank, you're from a modest background, and well—"

Mandy hesitated before she said, "You're just not in the same league as the Carter family.

"However, Jasper was smitten with you, dead set on marrying you. He didn't want anyone else.

"We had to give in.

"I used to think Jasper was head over heels for you. Now, it seems that was all there was to it."

Love was often a fair-weather friend—easy to come by during tough times, but hard to hold on to.

Even the most steadfast love could not outlast the wear and tear of time.

Just a few years had passed, and the man who could not live without her had grown indifferent and distant.

However, Elaine was still stuck in the same spot, endlessly asking herself why.

Why would he do that to her?

Why did he claim to love her, only to quickly change his mind?

Elaine's smile was forced as she listened to Mandy, and her laughter strained. "Mom, you can take that up with him. When it comes to divorce, my word doesn't count."

It was not like Mandy had not said as much to her son, but he had been stubborn as a mule.

With a dismissive huff, Mandy dropped the subject.

When Jasper returned, he found his mother and wife both looking sour. He nonchalantly straightened his tie, approached them, and cheerfully asked, "What's the scene here? A major drama?"

Mandy's irritation flared up when she saw her son. "You're such an annoyance. You're still causing trouble at your age."

Jasper just smiled and sweet-talked her a bit.

Mandy perked up and dropped the subject, as there were other things on her plate.

Jasper finally turned to Elaine and said, "You and Mom had it out?"

Elaine gazed at him, noting that the years had not changed his looks; he was as dashing as the day they met. However, his heart had turned into something so unfeeling and unreadable.

She snapped out of her thoughts. "Your mom's on our case about having kids."

The relentless pressure to get pregnant had always been her burden alone, and she had kept it from Jasper—until that night, when she just could not keep it in any longer.

Maybe it was Mandy's words that brought it all rushing back. Her mind was haunted by the boy she fell for. How did they end up like that? She could not accept it. She could not accept that she and Jasper might not make it to the finish line.

She still needed to prove that Jasper loved her. She still hoped to mend their fractured love.

Elaine bit her lip and said, "However, you were never home. How was I supposed to get pregnant, to have a baby?"

Jasper was quiet for a beat, his brooding eyes fixed on her. After a pause, he carelessly said, "If I were not home, Mrs. Carter, you could always have a baby with some other guy."

His words cut deep and were not delivered with a hint of humor.

Then, he said flippantly, "It wouldn't bother me, Mrs. Carter."

Elaine felt like she had been hit in the head with a sledgehammer, stunned into silence. She took a deep breath to steady the sharp ache in her heart and asked, "Jasper, do you mean that?"

Jasper locked eyes with her, his voice devoid of humor. "There's nothing funny about this.

"We had an understanding, remember? You do your thing, I do mine.

"If you're having trouble choosing, I can introduce you to some top-notch guys, perfect for starting a family. Then you won't have to stress over this anymore."

Elaine felt like she was drowning, gasping for air, the weight of his words like a tide pulling her under.

However, it was not tears that her heart wept.

It was boiling blood.

After a moment, Elaine's voice cut through the silence. "Alright. However, don't come to regret it."

Jasper's smile was thin, his voice icy. "Regret? You're overthinking it, Mrs. Carter."

Suddenly, Elaine remembered the previous night, the final encounter with Stephen, unprotected because they had run out of everything.

She had meant to take a morning-after pill.

However, in the rush of the day, it had slipped her mind.

At that moment, it seemed unnecessary.