chapter 1
I was picking out the baby's clothes when Caspar confessed to cheating on me.
"Lorna, let's get divorced."
I couldn't believe it. "What did you say?"
"Alison came back. She's having my baby."
Caspar and I were classmate in high school. He went to university abroad. But before the wedding, he promised me he'd love me forever.
I believed him and took care of our family. I paid for the house, the car and the start-up capital for his business.
I've been with him through the tough times. Now things are getting better, he's leaving me and children.
I asked, "When did this happen?"
Caspar said, "In February, Alison came back. We couldn't help but..."
I slapped Caspar.
In February, he started seeing Alison.
He seemed fine, and everyone praised him for being a good husband!
Caspar's cheeks reddened. He grabbed my hand and said, "I know I'm not right for you, but Alison is pregnant."
The pain was overwhelming. I choked, "What about me? Is our child not yours?"
Caspar looked away.
"Sorry," he said. I was disheartened.
This was the man I had loved for years, he was ruthless.
"I will prepare the divorce agreement as soon as possible, I will see you at the Civil Affairs Bureau."
I went back to my room and ignored him.
Caspar left again. He was going to look for Alison.
I felt ironic. I'm an obstetrician and gynaecologist and have seen irresponsible husbands. Now it seems the hardest thing to see through is the human heart.
I closed my eyes and cried.
My eyes were swollen when I woke up.
My colleague asked, "Lorna, what happened to you?"
I smiled and said, "I drank too much water last night".
In the morning, I went to the clinic and asked the director for sick leave during lunch.
"You want to abort this baby?" The director was surprised.
Caspar often picked me up from work and gave my colleagues snacks, so everyone knew I loved this child.
I nodded, feeling bitter.
The director was silent for a moment. "Lorna, this is your private matter. I shouldn't talk too much. As a woman, you know how damaging this is to your body.
I knew he was trying to help, so I told him.
"My husband cheated on me."
He was shocked. He didn't expect Caspar to do such a thing.
I couldn't believe it at first.
The director looked at me and quickly approved the leave.
"Take a few more days off and come back after you've taken care of things."
I went home in the afternoon.
I had to get my strength up for tomorrow's appointment.
I called the nanny and made a table of tasty dishes. Caspar used to cook for me. He said takeout was unhealthy and that we had to eat well. Now he is too lazy to go home.
Love is so cruel.
Nadine still didn't know what had happened to me and laughed: "Are you going to tell me how many times the baby kicked you today?"
I thought I'd got over it, but when she said that, I cried again.
Nadine was worried and asked, "What's wrong? Don't cry."
I repeated the story. Nadine was furious: "How could he do that!"
"Don't waste your energy, Nadine. Anyway, we're getting divorced."
I've calmed down.
Nadine sighed, "What are you going to do now?"
"I am planning to undergo surgery tomorrow to terminate the pregnancy. Then I will find a lawyer and plan to get a property division agreement to obtain more compensation from the property."
Nadine said, "Why look for another lawyer? I'll help you."
"But you're busy at work."
Nadine kept asking to help me, so I agreed. I was touched.
"Nadine, thank you."
"I'll take care of this. Don't think too much. I'll go to the hospital with you tomorrow."