Withered Yet Freed

The phone rang—it was Nelson's. Sarah was about to answer when Nelson emerged from the bathroom.

She casually handed him the phone, but Nelson gestured for her to answer it.

Sarah swiped to accept the call and put it on speaker.

A male voice came through, "Nelson, are you here yet? Everyone's waiting for you."

Sarah set the phone aside and went into the bathroom.

Nelson, toweling his hair dry, responded with a short, "Got it."

Then he hung up.

When Sarah came out of the bathroom, she saw Nelson adjusting his shirt in the mirror and applying hair gel—something he rarely did.

Noticing Sarah watching him, he smiled. "Do I look more handsome like this?"

He was naturally good-looking, and with just minimal effort, he could charm anyone. Sarah nodded, "Very handsome."

He gave her a quick hug. "I have something tonight. Need to go out, so I can't stay with you."

With that, he turned and left.

Watching him walk away, Sarah touched her stomach, her feelings complicated.

Lying in bed, Sarah couldn't fall asleep. After tossing and turning, she picked up her phone and started playing games.

After a few rounds, a message from Nelson suddenly popped up on her screen.

[Had too much to drink. Come pick me up. Golden Pavilion Club, Room 401.]

He got drunk so soon after leaving? Sarah frowned but didn't think much of it. She grabbed her jacket and headed out.

Nelson getting drunk wasn't unusual—she'd picked him up before. But this time was much earlier than usual. The alcohol must have been strong.

The address wasn't hard to find. Sarah quickly arrived outside Room 401 at the club.

She was about to push the door open when a conversation from inside froze her in place.

An overwhelming bitterness rose in her heart.

"Nelson, now that Lucy Leedon is back from abroad, what do you plan to do about Miss Paterson?"

"What can he do? She's just a bedmate. You don't expect our Nelson to make her his official girlfriend, do you?" One of Nelson's friends spoke up, his tone full of contempt.

Someone disagreed and defended Sarah, "You shouldn't say that. Miss Paterson has loyally stayed with Nelson for three years. She seems to love him deeply."

"Hah!" someone else scoffed. "Love? So what? Nelson's heart belongs entirely to Lucy. Otherwise, why would he visit Lucy's college every time he went on a business trip, even though he was with Sarah? After breaking up for so long, he still thinks about her..."

"Enough," Nelson frowned, cutting the person off. "Can't the alcohol shut your mouth?"

The speaker laughed awkwardly and said no more.

"Aren't you going in?" A gentle female voice came from behind her.

Sarah turned around and met Lucy's mocking eyes.

Lucy Leedon—Nelson's girlfriend from three years ago who had gone abroad. Or more accurately, his ex-girlfriend.

In an instant, Sarah understood who had sent her that text message.

Clearly, this ex-girlfriend hadn't called her here to pick anyone up.

Pressing her lips together, Sarah looked at Lucy and replied calmly, "No, since he's not actually drunk, I won't disturb your gathering."

Without lingering a moment longer, she left the club and returned to the apartment alone.

That night, Sarah barely slept. Her mind kept replaying the conversation she'd overheard. So for these three years, whenever he went on business trips that lasted weeks, it was to see Lucy?

Still thinking about her after breaking up so long ago—what did that make Sarah these past three years?

A tool for his physical needs when he felt lonely? Or a pet that came whenever called?

No wonder he was unwilling to tell their parents about their relationship. The person he wanted to marry had never been her.

Three years. Her youth and her genuine feelings had merely been his entertainment.

The next morning.

Sarah dialed the number for the women's health clinic.

The phone rang twice before someone answered, "Hello, Southside Women's Health Clinic.

"I'd like to schedule an abortion.

"As soon as possible."