7

676words
I opened my eyes,shocked to be alive.
Turning,I saw my newborn.
Tiny,his skin less smooth than I'd imagined.

"It's a boy,very handsome."
Dr.Wilson entered,offering me a bouquet of flowers.
"Congrats on a major milestone."
"Your tumor surgery can't happen now.We’ll let you rest and recover for a month,then we'll schedule it as soon as possible."
I took the flowers,their sweet scent filled my nose.
"Olivia,will you stay with him?"

I missed his words.
"What?"
He opened his mouth,but noise erupted outside.
"Are you trying to infuriate me deliberately?Not telling me about the birth!"

Mr.Harper stormed in with an entourage,instantly charmed by his sleeping grandson.
"Look at this little guy—so lovable!"
His anger was gone the moment he saw the child.He looked up,searching for James.
"Where's James?"
I shook my head.
"That fool's probably with that lowlife."
"Don't let it get to you.You gave us a Harper heir—name anything you want."
The baby smacked his lips unconsciously.My heart softened.I looked at Mr.Harper.
"I want a divorce."
Before he could reply,a furious shout came from outside.
"Who allowed that!"
James arrived late,his usually pristine hair disheveled.
"Who said you could divorce me?"
He strode over,anger softening at the sight of my pale face.
"I won't allow it."
Mr.Harper chimed in,saying the child needed a mother,closing the matter.
Two weeks postpartum,I met Dr.Wilson.
"Tell me the truth—is my tumor still operable?"
I had suspected I was beyond saving.
Lately,the painful throbs in my head became more and more frequent,vision blurring.
The original plan—tumor surgery with C-section—wasn’t supposed to changed.
"There’s nothing you can do about it anymore,right?"
Dr.Wilson's hand shook,spilling water.He turned,meeting my eyes.
"Olivia...the tumor's inoperable now."
I nodded,unafraid of death.
In life's final stretch,I wanted to see my birthplace.
Though I feared I would miss my child,staying longer with him would only make leaving harder.
I booked a flight that night.Dr.Wilson drove me to the airport.
"Passengers of Flight 0238 ,prepare to board."
I grabbed my bag.
"Olivia,can I hug you?"
My vision was fading,I could only see his blurry figure.
I knew this was the final goodbye,sensing his deeper feelings.
He stepped forward,holding me tightly,reluctant to let go.
"Olivia!Carter!"
James rushed in,yanking us apart,punching Dr.Wilson.
"So this is why you want a divorce?You've got a new guy!"
"You're leaving Manhattan together?"
"Olivia Carter,you're not leaving me!"
James reached for my bag.Dr.Wilson retaliated,punching him,pinning him down.They got into a heated fight.
"How dare you say that!Where were you when she did her checkups alone?When she was giving birth?"
"You know she has a tumor?She's dying!"
James froze,taking heavy punches.
He stared at me,stunned.
"When...did you get a tumor?"
He had countless chances but never noticed my pained eyes or bruised legs from blurred vision.
The reason wasn’t complicated,he just didn't love me.
"Passengers for Flight 0238 ,prepare to board."
The airport announced again.
I grabbed my bag,didn't answer,and walked away without looking back.
Six months later,my tumor fully compressed my optic nerve,I went half-blind.
Much happened during those six months.Sophia‘s career was ruined—someone exposed her staging her crash and inciting fans against civilians.
The Harper heir's first birthday was lavish,but his mother's whereabouts remained unknown.
Past memories faded like smoke.I lived leisurely now.
Half-blind,I relied on a volunteer.
A tall man,sometimes it seemed that he knew what I need before I even say it.
He felt oddly familiar,like James.
Impossible—he was likely with Sophia now.
"I'm curious,why hasn't your family found you?"
I lifted my head up.The volunteer spoke,his voice oddly low,like he was doing it deliberately.
Family...
Reflecting on my life,I had only my son.
"There’s only my son left,but he's young,doesn't know what I look like."
"I'm an orphan too.He's my only family."
His voice was low,cautious.
"What about your husband?You have a child together.Surely he counts as family"
"Don't you love him?Maybe he wants to care for you."
I chuckled.James Harper,love me?Impossible.
I smiled,petting the cat on my laps,saying indifferently,"I've never loved anyone in my life."
The volunteer fell silent.
Three months later,Olivia Carter passed away.
James Harper,on his son’s eighteen’s birthday,died in despair.
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