You're Out of My Life

They were almost at Julian's place when Angela had second thoughts. Considering the time, the staff at City Hall were about to get off work. She figured it was better if they went another day instead.

Nevertheless, she was now basically moving in with Julian. In all honesty, she thought it would be better if she rented a place of her own, but he said, "If the reporters find out that we're living separately despite being married, they'll spin it into a huge scandal."

In the end, Angela had no choice but to acquiesce to Julian and stay at his place. That being said, she insisted on moving into the guest room, and he didn't fight her on that.

However, while she was busy unpacking her things, Julian stood in the doorway. Arms crossed, he said, "Angela, I take our marriage seriously."

Despite not quite understanding what he meant, Angela nodded and replied, "I know. We'll definitely make it legal so that paparazzi won't unearth anything scandalous."

In a slow but steady manner, Julian emphasized, "I meant that I want us to be a real married couple, not just one in the eyes of the law. I want us to live like a married couple, too."

Angela understood now, and her cheeks turned pink. Though she continued to put her things away, her movements became a little stiff.

Seeing how flustered she was, Julian smirked faintly. "Don't be scared. It's not like I'm going to eat you."

…

Three weeks had passed before Carl returned to the house he shared with Angela.

In the last three weeks, he accompanied Lucy and did all of her favorite things with her. He took her to an amusement park, went out on a boat to watch the sunrise with her, and brought her to the desert to go stargazing as well.

When they returned, Lucy informed him, "Carl, I'm pregnant. The child can't be without a father. Can you bear the thought of people teasing him because his father abandoned him?

"Keith entrusted me to you because he wanted you to take good care of me. Let's raise the child together. He can still honor Keith as his godfather. That way, everything works out perfectly, right?"

She added, "As for Angela, I know you two have been dating for over ten years, but you're still not married. Since you're not married, you're technically single in the eyes of the law. No one can say anything if you don't end up marrying her.

"If she wants to make a fuss about it, so be it. Either way, I'm pregnant with your baby. It's not like she can force me to get an abortion, right?"

The moment Carl heard that, he growled, "Let's see if she dares! If she hurts our child in any way, I'll make her life a living hell!"

Snuggling in Carl's embrace, Lucy enthused coyly, "You're so manly, Carl. It's no wonder Angela has been hopelessly in love with you for so many years. Any woman would fall madly in love with you. Even I have…"

Her sweet nothings greatly satisfied his ego and gave him a great deal of contentment. However, when he got back to the house, he had a bit of mixed feelings about everything.

Carl still felt a flicker of guilt toward Angela.

He opened the door to find the living room empty and the bedroom door closed. Heading over, he knocked on the door, saying, "Angela? You're in here, right?"

There was no reply.

"I'm sorry. I'm afraid I have to break my promise again. I can't marry you. Lucy is pregnant, and I can't let the child be without a father. I have to take care of Lucy and the child on Keith's behalf, so… I have no choice but to end things with you," Carl said.

"How's this? I'll give you 2,000 dollars to make up for all the years you've been with me. If you don't speak up now, I'll take it that you're okay with it, too. I've done the calculations. I'll give you a hundred dollars for every year we've been together.

"Technically, that's only a little over a thousand dollars, but since you've been so devoted to me all these years, I decided to give a little extra and make it 2,000 dollars instead.

"Angela?"

Greeted with nothing but silence, Carl finally opened the bedroom door.

But the room had been left empty for ages.