TOO LATE FOR SORRY, DEAR EX

CHAPTER 1 IMPOSSIBLE! I CAN'T BE PREGNANT “Gosh! I miss Doctor Williams’ services. This is f*****g tiring!” Elissa grumbled at the queue in the hospital reception. After what felt like an everlasting wait for her turn to see the doctor, the door suddenly creaked open. Elissa couldn't keep her eyes off the happy couple who just stepped out—the husband's arms gently wrapped around his pregnant wife's waist as she laughed at something he whispered. God! Elissa breathed. Five years. It's been five years of trying, of hoping, of praying. "God, when it pleases you, please make this possible for James and me," she whispered in silence. "Mrs. Cater. It's your turn." A young woman's voice echoed through the hallway.Elissa stood up, marching gently behind the lady while she straightened her dress. Each step she took towards the office felt heavier than the last. “How I wish I was here for some good news just like other women.” Elissa mumbled in silence when she thought of her condition, squeezing her eyes shut to force back the tears that were threatening to fall. Four years ago, their family doctor, Dr. Williams, who had been treating the Carters for the past twenty years, broke the news that shattered her sweet marriage. “Mrs. Cater, you have fast-growing fibroid cells within your uterus, and this has been the reason why it's difficult for you to conceive,” Doctor Williams reported. Ten days ago, Elissa bled profusely for three days, and when doctor Williams examined her, he suggested surgery to remove her womb completely. “Doctor, do anything to save my wife’s life. I need her more than any unborn baby.” James Carter said affirmatively. Today, she was supposed to be undergoing the surgery, but Doctor Williams travelled to Texas on an emergency trip he took because of his brother's health, which might last him two months. Elissa couldn't hold on for long, so she had to use a different hospital to ensure that the growth was not getting worse before his return. “Welcome, Ms. Carter.” The doctor said, Elissa nodded, her heart slamming against my ribs as she awaited the doctor's next word while he opened the file before him. “Congratulations, ma'am.” He extended his hands for a shake, lips slightly curling up into a bright smile. Elissa took the shake, her hands shaking badly as she stared with curiosity at the papers in his hands."You're eight weeks gone," he announced, handing the result over to her. “What?” Elissa blinked. Those words sounded like a mistaken announcement to her ears. “Me. Pregnant. How?” "Wait, doctor. This can't be true. It's absolutely impossible!" Those words escaped from her lips even before she could think. “Wow! I see,” he breathed heavily, his eyes calm as he maintained his smile. “Ms. Cater, I understand that this might be unexpected, but the results are real. You are eight weeks pregnant,” he reiterated. “What you need to know is that the abortion only flushed out an embryo. The other embryo still survived it, which simply means you were pregnant with twins.” He added. “Enough, Doctor!” Elissa yelled. “I never trusted this hospital in the first place! But you could have just told me that you were incompetent rather than wasting my time and resources!” She flared up while she squeezed the paper and threw it at the doctor as she made for the door. “Now, I see the reason why the Carters have maintained Doctor Williams for so long…because he's the only reliable medical practitioner in New York!” She grumbled continuously. “Mrs. Cater, we can still have a confirmation test if you're in doubt of this,” the doctor added. “Thanks, but no thanks, doctor.” She replied coldly. “You're always free to contact us if you want.” His voice echoed through the hallway.Tears began to stroll down her eyes; she doesn't know if it's from frustration, confusion, or something entirely different. How can one be accused of terminating a pregnancy when she's been looking for one since she got married? Carrying the Carter's blood in my womb has always been her prayer request; at least that will cement her relationship with the Carters and also save her husband from the stress of always protecting her from his family's cruelty. Her mind was restless until she stopped by at another hospital to do a confirmation. "Congratulations, ma'am. You're eight weeks gone." The doctor said, still pulling off a bright smile just like the other doctor did. "But..." “But what again, doctor? Another lie in progress, right?” She snapped before the doctor could finish his statement. "I don't know what you mean, but you'll be placed on bed rest until you deliver. This is because you've taken excess birth control pills, which are beginning to affect your womb," he added. Birth control? She froze. “Well, next time when you're terminating a pregnancy, ensure the doctor does it well because cases like this may expose the other foetus to dangers beyond control. Which may as well risk your life” He advised. Hmmmmm. Elissa blinked, hoping that all those will be a dream once she opens her eyes, but no. “Then what about the fibroid? What about the surgery to ***?” She stopped midway, the words were too heavy to escape from her lips. “Fibroid?” the doctor's brows furrowed. “I can't detect any trace of fibroid in you, Ms. Cater. What are you talking about?” “It's nothing. By the way, thank you.” She replied reluctantly, tossing the test result in her bag with a faint smile, her mind filled with a wave of confusion on which doctor's report to believe. “But, there's no way two different doctors that don't even know each other will lie about the same thing, right?” She thought to herself. She tried using the test strip to confirm it herself once she got home, and the red line showed it all—she’s pregnant, after five years of negative tests and watching her friends celebrate their second and third children while she pretended as if it didn't hurt. She heaved a sigh of relief. “You can take your leave for today. I'll make dinner by myself.” She told their domestic staff, her mind overwhelmed with joy as she made James's favorite dinner and set the table. “Finally, this news will end the hatred that the Carters have for her, as well as the resentment that they have for James, for always defending her when she couldn't give them an heir,” she whispered, staring at the result with a pure smile she hadn't had in a long time. She sat on the couch, eyes aimlessly glued to the clock as it ticked with seconds. It's past 10:00pm, and James is not yet back. She called his line more than ten times, but all went unanswered. "Babe, I hope you're safe? Just want to let you know that it's difficult to sleep without you by my side." She texted, yet there was still no response.This was the first time in five years that James Carter returned home late without prior notice. “Maybe he's busy with the birthday preparations.” She mumbled and headed to the kitchen to make some caffeine-free tea for herself before returning to the couch, her phone held tight in her hand as she waited for his call. “It’s okay,” she whispered, gently cradling her hands over her belly. “Daddy's just busy, little angel. I'll certainly tell him about you as soon as he returns.” Suddenly, she began to doze off when the front door creaked open, jolting her up. “Babe!” she called out, unable to hide her relief. “Where have you been? I've been so worried about you—and I have something very important to tell you…” “Not now, Elissa.” He snapped, dismissing her concern with an unreadable expression. She froze. An oppressive chill ran through her mind as her arms were still stretched out for the hug he refused to return. “James, is everything okay?” “I said, not now! Elissa.” He flared up. Settling abruptly on the dining chair, he began to scroll through his laptop and pulled out his phone as it buzzed from his pocket. “Yes. I've seen it. That's perfect. You can go ahead and finalize everything,” he said to the person on the other end of the phone. She waited patiently for him to finish so they could talk, but another incoming call wouldn't let him breathe. “Really? Give me a few minutes. I'll be right there.” He said, quickly pulling off his jacket as he grabbed his car keys and left, not even giving her a glance. “Well, maybe it'll be best if I wait to unveil the news to him tomorrow alongside the surprise birthday package. But how can I explain the doctor's claim of abortion to him?” She thought to herself.