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930words
Sighing,I waddled to the bar,protecting my belly.
In the chaotic,noisy bar,I navigated carefully,avoiding collisions.
Through the dancing crowd,I spotted James in a booth at once,surrounded by gorgeous women.
"There's my wife!"
James reached for me,smiling.
In years of marriage,this was the first smile he flashed me.
"This is my wife!I'm gonna be a dad!"
The women,drinks in hand,looked awkward,unsure whether to stay or go.
"You're drunk.Let's go home."
I helped James out.It was cool outside the bar,as a breeze blew he pushed me away,vomiting by the curb.
James was acting strange tonight,lacking his usual swagger.
Only one thought made sense:Sophia dumped him.
I bought water and wipes from a convenience store,handing them over.
"What's wrong?Bad day?"
James took the water,rinsing his mouth.
Sobering up,he came back to his usual self.
"Nothing.Thanks for coming."
The driver took us home by 11 p.m.
My belly showed,even in pajamas.
I lifted my shirt,applying oil to it.
James,fresh from a shower,abs glistening,stepped out.Water dripped into his lower abdomen.
I only took one glance,then looked away.
Three years in,and I still wasn't used to such a sight. James rarely took his clothes off in front of me.
At midnight,I felt someone caressing my belly,gently,as if trying not to wake me.
I stayed still,hearing a murmur behind me.
"I'm really gonna be a dad."
From then on,James came home every night.
He didn't say,but I guessed Sophia and he had a quarrel.
I googled Sophia online,finding a talk show clip.
The host asked about her and James.
"Online,they say your success is all thanks to Mr.Harper."
"Sophia,he pursued you before your accident,but now he's married.So what’s going on between you two now?"
A sharp question.Sophia's face soured,then smoothed.
"Lol,we're just friends."
"But I'm certainly grateful for his help.Without him,I wouldn't be here today."
The video stopped there.There were different voices in the comments—some called her ungrateful,others praised her independence.
I stayed out of the argument online,but I understood why James had changed.
My belly grew,my mobility limited.
"When's your next checkup?"
James actually came to me to talk about my appointment,surprising me.
"This Friday.Booked with the doctor already."
"I'll come with you."
My hands stopped in the movement of applying oil to my belly.James took the bottle from me as if it was a most natural thing and rubbed my belly.
I flinched,stepping back.
"Come here."
His hand rested on my stomach.
"Sorry for all the suffering you endured before."
Friday came fast.James skipped work,actually joining me at the hospital.
The hospital buzzed,most pregnant women were with husbands.
I waddled with James beside me.
"Mister,you wanna buy one?"
A little girl offered roses.
I opened my mouth to decline,but James bought one.
"Thanks,mister!"
"You're pretty,ma'am,and he's handsome.Your baby will be adorable."
James handed me the flower.
For a moment,we felt like a real couple—warm,sweet.
His phone rang at this moment.
He checked the caller ID and hung up.
It rang again,persistently.
I sensed it was Sophia.
He answered,her sugary voice spilling out.
"James,I'm sorry,I was wrong.I shouldn't have said we're just friends.I love you."
Her voice,slurred,sounded drunk.
"Can you pick me up?I'm wasted."
James glanced at me,then he stepped aside to talk.
Soon,he rushed back,flustered.
"I've got to go.You go ahead and do the checkups."
In the bustling hospital,husbands and families surrounded their loved ones.
Everyone had someone by their side except me.I was alone.
From birth,I was never anyone's priority.
In the orphanage,I was alone.
In that hell,abuse and bullying were routine.
Without my foster dad,I might've faced worse—like sexual assaults.
As a child,I wished for someone to truly love me.
At 27,I still hadn't found that person.
The checkup was quick,but the wait was long.
I stroked my growing belly,a new life was forming in there.
Was I sure about bringing him into this world?
Could I ensure his happiness?
Questions swirled in my mind.I wanted my child to experience joy and companionship from the moment he was born.
"Ms.Carter,you're alone?Where's your husband?"
I'd instinctively gone to Dr.Wilson's office.
His rimless glasses gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the window.
Dr.Wilson was handsome—Hollywood would love him for his looks.
"He had to leave."
"Since you're here,come in.We need to talk."
His expression turned serious.He pulled up my CT scan,pointing to the white shadow, which was visibly larger than last time.
"You can still do something about it.I studied your tumor last night—it's growing slowly now,but later,as the baby grows,it'll drain you,and the tumor will develop rapidly with all those nutrition."
"Worse,you risk massive bleeding during delivery."
I touched my belly,smiling gratefully.
"Thanks,Dr.Wilson.I've already decided,I shall have the baby anyways before operating on my tumor."
Anger flashed across his face.
"This is no difference than committing suicide!You're risking death for him,and he doesn't even show up for checkups!"
"Olivia Carter,is it worth it?"
I froze.His concern seemed beyond what a doctor should have for his patient.
"It's worth it.Thank you,I have a plan."
He offered to show me out,but I declined.
That night,Sophia trended again.
She posted a restaurant photo,a man's hand visible.
People pass each other by on the streets,thank you for choosing me.
The suggestion for romance was obvious.
Comments speculated it was James.
I turned off my phone,counting in my mind how many more days til delivery.
Four months left.
Surprisingly,James came home that night.I thought he'd stay out.
He recently loved holding me to sleep,hands on my belly.
Our relationship grew strange.
Days with Sophia,nights with me.
I figured it was because of the baby.Once born,everything would go back to its own track again.
