Chapter 25: The Agonizing Choice
Evelyn Carter leaned against the sofa. Sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, casting a thin golden line on the floor.
Vivian Dempsey’s words were like a key, unlocking the floodgates of memory.
At seventeen, she had been a lovesick girl who nearly paid with her life. Now, at least, she still had her sanity.
“Back then…” Evelyn asked softly, “how did you get through it?”
Vivian shrugged, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her coffee cup. “Time heals all wounds. Even the deepest scars will eventually scab over.”
Evelyn looked down at her abdomen.
It had once cradled a tiny life. Now, only a dull ache remained, a constant reminder of what had been.
Vivian suddenly leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Want me to introduce you to some eligible bachelors?”
“Now?” Evelyn gave a bitter smile. “Do you really think I’m in the mood?”
Her fingertips pressed lightly against her stomach. Waves of post-surgical pain ebbed and flowed.
Vivian covered Evelyn’s hand with her own. “Evelyn… do you really not regret it?”
Evelyn closed her eyes and shook her head.
“I get it.” Vivian sighed. “You’re much stronger than I thought.”
“It’s not strength,” Evelyn said, opening her eyes. “It’s just… there was no other choice.”
Vivian’s expression turned solemn. “The greatest pain in life isn’t making the wrong decision. It’s not even having the chance to regret it.”
Evelyn picked up her phone and scrolled through Vivian’s social media feed.
The screen was filled with melancholic quotes and Zen-inspired images.
Under the latest post, someone had commented: “Another breakup?”
Vivian’s reply made Evelyn raise an eyebrow: “Fools repeat mistakes. The wise pursue doctorates. Are you prepping for grad school?”
“Just rhyming for fun,” Vivian said with a dismissive wave.
Suddenly, her face froze.
Evelyn refreshed the page but saw no new comments.
“What’s wrong?”
Vivian shot to her feet. “I need to make a call on the balcony.”
The moment the balcony door closed, furious shouting erupted.
“Have you lost your damn mind? Changing your profile picture now?!”
“…”
“You couldn’t wait to flaunt your new relationship? At least let Evelyn recover first!”
“…”
“She told you to change it, so you did? Alexander Hamilton, have you no conscience? She just had surgery!”
“…”
“Bullshit! Do you have any idea what she’s been through these past two days? You think she doesn’t feel pain?!”
Evelyn’s fingers went numb.
So that was it.
He and Annabelle Taylor had changed to matching couple photos.
