Chapter 4
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"Honey, say something! You're scaring me," Luther pleaded anxiously.
Callista handed him the bag of medicine, and she lied, "The doctor suggested I try a new medication. It might improve the success rate of the next IVF attempt."
"As long as you're okay, that's all that matters. You scared me to death."
Luther didn't even glance at the bag and casually placed it on the coffee table.
Callista let out a cold laugh.
In the past, he would always meticulously read the instructions no matter what medication she was prescribed as he was worried about potential side effects.
He used to say he couldn't bear the physical pain of IVF for her, but he needed to remind himself that she was suffering for his sake.
Now, she had personally handed him the pre-procedure medication for an abortion, and he didn't even bother to look at it.
The unfamiliar scent of perfume mixed with the aroma of roses in the air made Callista feel nauseous, and soon, her stomach began to cramp. She clutched her abdomen in discomfort.
"Is it your period?" Luther leaned in, trying to warm her stomach with his hands.
Callista swatted his hand away.
"The smell on you is disgusting," she said bluntly.
Luther sniffed himself and chuckled.
"It's probably the scent of roses. I've been going to the rose garden several times a day, trying to make sure everything is perfect for our fifth anniversary. I'll go shower and change my clothes."
But earlier, he'd said he was going to the office.
Callista couldn't be bothered to expose his lie and simply replied, "Alright."
After Luther left, Callista picked up her phone.
For the past five years, her social circle revolved entirely around Luther, leaving her with no close friends of her own.
If she were to leave him, there weren't many people she needed to inform, except for her younger brother, Kai Caldwell. Kai was also her only remaining family member.
But as she stared at his number, she couldn't bring herself to call.
Kai held Luther in high regard as his brother-in-law, and she worried it would complicate things. It was better to wait until she was ready to leave.
That night, Luther lay beside her while gently massaging her stomach.
"Honey, I've delegated all my work for the next two days. Your first couple of days on your period are always the worst, and I can't leave you alone."
Callista gave a nonchalant response, not taking his words to heart.
Then, a notification sound woke her up in the middle of the night.
"Sorry, did I wake you? There's some work I need to take care of. I'll put my phone on silent. Go back to sleep, honey," Luther said softly.
Callista kept her eyes closed, but she was no longer sleepy.
Luther's left hand continued massaging her stomach, while his right hand was free to reply to messages. The warmth of his touch and the occasional low chuckles he couldn't suppress felt like a dull blade cutting into her, one stroke at a time.
"Honey?" he whispered, testing the waters.
As he hoped, Callista didn't respond.
Luther withdrew his hand, quietly got out of bed, and tiptoed out of the room. Even as he moved silently, his eagerness was palpable.
"How dare you send those kinds of pictures over? Just wait—I'll make sure you can't get out of bed tomorrow," he muttered before the door clicked shut.
Moments later, Callista's phone buzzed several times. It was a message from Wren.
"Are you getting old and unattractive, Cally? Luther's been so pent up that he couldn't get enough of me this afternoon.
"He even said he wanted to try something new with me tonight. Can you believe it? He has no consideration for this poor pregnant woman.
"Honestly, I feel bad for you. Luther did plenty of the work to make me pregnant. Meanwhile, you're stuck with sterile IVF procedures, and you still can't conceive."
Even in the bedroom that was warmed by the heater, Callista felt frozen to the core.
She got up, retrieved a hot water bottle, and climbed back into bed.
For five years, she'd believed she had met Luther too late in life and that their time together would be too short.
But now, with only five days left, she found the time to be unbearably long.
