Chapter 7
I was not even sure if I ever thanked him.
The moment I closed the hotel room door behind me, I broke down.
When I finally calmed down, I dragged myself into the bathroom. The girl in the mirror did not look like me. She had messy hair, swollen eyes, and knees wrapped in gauze.
Just as I reached for a towel, a sharp pain twisted through my lower abdomen. I looked down and saw that blood was trickling down my thigh.
At the hospital, the doctor glanced at my chart and gave me a look of quiet sympathy. “It’s a threatened miscarriage, so you’ll need a dilation and curettage. Do you want us to notify a family member?” I clenched my teeth and shook my head, signing the consent form.
Before the anesthesia kicked in, I made one last call to my mother.
“Miscarriage?” Her voice shot up an octave. “How could you be so careless? Does Mr. Whelan know?”
“He doesn’t.” My voice was flat. “Mom, I need someone to take care of me.”
“Oh, I’ve been busy arranging your brother’s blind date these past few days…” she hesitated. “How about your dad comes instead?”
“No need.” I cut her off. “Also, remember when you borrowed money from me? You said it was just a loan. Well, I’m a little tight on cash lately…”
“What? Jane, are you insane? That’s your brother!” she shrieked.
“Then I’ll talk to a lawyer.” I ended the call.
The surgery went fine.
The next day, my parents and younger brother showed up at the hospital, looking panicked and oddly respectful.
My mom even peeled me an apple. That was a first.
“Jane…” she asked, a little too gently, “Did you and Mr. Whelan have a fight?”
I stared out the window. “I’m getting a divorce. He cheated.”
Harry jumped up. “Are you out of your mind? What even are you without Mr. Whelan?”
I let out a cold laugh. “Still me. Just not your personal ATM anymore.”
The room went silent.
Finally, my dad forced a smile. “Jane, your mom and brother didn’t mean anything by that. Let’s just focus on your recovery for now…”
11
During my three days in the hospital, I made full use of the situation.
Harry had to take leave and run errands. My dad handled paperwork, while my mom actually cleaned. It was the first time in over two decades I felt like they saw me as someone with worth.
When I was discharged, I told them they could keep the money I had already given. Yet, from now on, I would not be giving them an extra dime–only the basic support they were entitled to.
4104%
Collin called a few times during that period. I didn’t pick up once.
There was nothing left to say.
Instead, I called a lawyer and filed for divorce.
I also had proof of his affair.
Funny enough, I had planned to surprise him with the news of my pregnancy. I even started preparing early for the baby’s arrival by installing a camera in the bedroom.
However, what it captured instead was something ugly.
