Chapter 70
The hem of Thayer’s coat vanished at the doorway, followed by Aveline’s voice, “Thayer help me, I’m so scared… the baby and I are both terrified…”
Noland County experienced frequent earthquakes, most of them mild, but this one was different, exceptionally strong. The tremors were so intense that I could barely stay on my feet.
I forced myself upright, dodging the falling debris, instinctively shielding my belly. Then, remembering the surgery scheduled for tomorrow, I withdrew my hand and slowly moved toward the bathroom.”
Just as I stepped out of my room, I saw Thayer holding Aveline tightly in his arms, fleeing for safety.}
I didn’t call out for help because I knew Thayer wouldn’t save me.
In his heart, those thirty–some mistresses were all more important than me, his legal wife. I could only rely on myself.
“Thayer, Althea is still trapped in her room, shouldn’t we take her too?” Aveline tugged gently at his sleeve, sounding thoughtful and considerate, but the look she gave me was full of malice.
“There’s no need to worry about her. You’re the one carrying a child. Who could be more important than you?“}
Thayer’s back was ramrod straight, his voice taut with tension. He didn’t even glance back as he carried Aveline straight out the door. I stood there in a daze, watching it all unfold.§
Wiping away the last of my tears, I quietly hid myself in the bathroom corner, curling up against the wall, waiting for rescue workers in silence.
The entire building was on the verge of collapse. Stones from the ceiling rained down, my body too heavy and sluggish to dodge in time. A brick struck my forehead and everything went dark.
When I came to, I saw Lucien gripping my hand tightly. This man, always so composed, now had a glimmer of tears in his eyes. “Althea… do you know how scared I was? I almost… almost lost you.“}
I gave him a reassuring smile and gently pulled my hand away from his. Then I took out the wrinkled abortion consent form I’d been carrying with me.}
“Lucien, if you can… please take me to the hospital now. I want to go through with the surgery.“}
Pain flickered in his eyes, but in the end, he relented and quietly led me to the entrance of the obstetrics department.§
Just as we arrived, we ran into Thayer, who looked completely disheveled, his once–crisp suit now covered in dust. Beside him stood Aveline, her eyes red from crying.D
“Althea, where the hell have you been?” she snapped. “Thayer went back to look for you! He nearly got crushed to death by falling debris!“} Before ! could say anything, the man beside me could no longer contain his anger.
“Thayer, well done,” he snapped, voice low and furious. “You abandoned your pregnant wife in a disaster zone and instead paraded around with your pregnant mistress in your arms? If I hadn’t gotten there in time, Althea would’ve been crushed to death under the rubble!“> This always–reserved, disciplined man was raging for the first time. Thayer’s face darkened as he shoved Lucien aside and gripped the handles of my wheelchair his voice hoarse. “Althea, I’ll take you for a pregnancy checkup. Don’t go calling other men…”
“Thayer! Thayer! My stomach hurts… I think I’m bleeding!” Aveline screamed and collapsed to the floor.
Thayer instantly let go of my wheelchair and rushed toward her. “Althea, just wait a bit longer. Aveline seems worse off. After her checkup, I’ll take care of yours.”>
Rage visibly surged in Lucien’s eyes, veins bulging on the back of his hands as he gripped the wheelchair handles tighter.§
In the small county hospital, the gynecology department only had a single clinic. Yet Thayer gave that precious treatment opportunity to Aveline.D
Lucien couldn’t begin to imagine how many times, over the five years of marriage, the woman Thayer claimed to treasure had been silently abandoned like this.
I watched as Thayer once again walked away for the sake of another woman, There wasn’t even a ripple in my heart this time–just a quiet calm. Instead, I turned and gave a smile to the man behind me.
“Lucien, can you do me a favor? For old times‘ sake… I can design something for your family.”
“For you, not just one favor, I’ll do a hundred.“D
