Chapter 4

After we were discharged and went back to our rented apartment, Tristan's impatience grew day by day because he had to "take care" of me. Remembering how he once promised to cherish me forever, I wanted to laugh.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Tristan opened it, and Blair, who had somehow found our address, skipped inside and threw herself into Tristan's arms.

Tristan’s face softened instantly into pure adoration. He held her tightly, terrified she might fall.

"Oh! You must be Tristan’s girlfriend. I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there!"

"Tristan and I grew up together. I heard he was hurt, and I was so worried that I just had to come. You don't mind, do you?"

Seeing my silence, Blair’s eyes welled with tears. "Did I ruin things? If you don't like me here, I’ll just leave..."

Tristan immediately shielded her behind his back, snapping at me for the first time in public. "Why are you throwing a tantrum? Do you have any idea how much you're hurting Blair's feelings?"

"It's okay, Tristan. Maybe she's just in a bad mood. Tristan, I'm hungry. Can you make me that warm sweet oatmeal you always make?" Blair cooed.

They played their roles perfectly, painting me as the bitter villain without me saying a single word.

Tristan tapped Blair's nose gently. "Alright, my little princess. Go sit down. I'll make your favorite."

Tristan went into the kitchen. This man, who had always claimed he didn't know how to cook to get out of doing chores, prepared the oatmeal with practiced ease. He had clearly done it hundreds of times.

I had loved him so much that I never let him touch a frying pan after his long workdays. Once, when I playfully asked him to cook for me, he made excuses and dumped a cup of instant noodles in front of me. I had laughed it off back then. Now, I couldn't even force a smile.

Blair smirked and walked over to me. She suddenly grabbed my hand. I frowned and tried to pull away, but she used the momentum to throw herself onto the floor.

Hearing the crash, Tristan rushed out of the kitchen. His face darkened instantly, and he violently shoved me aside.

He used all his strength. My body was still incredibly weak from the surgery. I lost my balance and crashed hard into the glass coffee table.

A sharp, agonizing pain shot through my abdomen. My lips trembled, but I couldn't make a sound.

"Clara! Even if you hate me, you shouldn't have pushed me! I would have left if you just asked..." Blair sobbed on the floor.

"You've gone too far! Do you know Blair just had major surgery?!" Tristan roared. The mask of the loving boyfriend was completely gone, replaced by raw disgust.

I lay collapsed against the broken glass. A warm, terrifying wetness began to seep between my thighs.

"Call 911... the baby..." I gasped.

But before I could finish, Tristan had already scooped Blair up in his arms and was rushing out the door to the hospital.

Blair looked over his shoulder, flashing me a victorious, wicked grin.

She mouthed three words: "Go. Die. Now."