Chapter 2

Annie's POV

The next day, I went to the prenatal checkup alone.

Frank said yesterday he'd come with me, but today he had a meeting, so we rescheduled for tomorrow.

I could have waited, but for some reason, I went by myself.

In the hospital corridor outside the examination room, every pregnant woman had her husband by her side.

Only me, sitting alone on the cold bench, hands cradling my belly.

When the nurse called my name, she looked around, "Where's your family?"

"He's busy." I forced a smile, "I can manage."

After the checkup, as I was about to leave, I heard a familiar voice from a hospital room.

I stopped in my tracks.

Through the crack in the door, I saw Frank carefully adjusting pillows for Anna, while Mom rummaged through the bedside cabinet, muttering.

"Where did I put that fashion magazine Anna likes?"

And Frank—sitting by the bed, massaging Anna's calves, telling jokes that made her laugh nonstop.

Sunlight streamed through the window, warmth enveloping them. A perfect family picture.

Pregnant me, standing outside the door, my heart ice-cold.

I remembered being sick as a child, always enduring it alone.

Once on Anna's birthday, the whole family was celebrating while I lay in bed shaking with a high fever.

The housekeeper called Mom, and she hung up impatiently.

"She's fine, don't disturb Anna's birthday party."

Through the window, I could hear the laughter downstairs, see the fireworks blooming for Anna.

And I couldn't even get a glass of water, my lips cracked and bleeding.

I'd experienced countless moments like this—being overlooked, being forgotten.

Until I married Frank.

That's when I finally knew what it felt like to be cared for.

He remembered my preferences, stayed by my bedside when I was sick, held me tight when I was sad, and whispered softly.

"I'm here."

I thought someone loved me.

But now, five months pregnant, I stood outside that hospital room, watching him massage Anna's legs and make her laugh. That tenderness, that care—exactly the same as what he gave me.

All fake.

His tenderness never belonged to me.

Just like Mom and Bruce's tenderness never belonged to me.

I bit my lip and left the hospital.

Forget it, Annie. Tomorrow you'll be abroad. All of this will be in the past.

That evening, Frank came home very late.

When he pushed open the bedroom door, I was packing for my trip abroad, clothes scattered across the bed.

"Annie? What are you doing?" Frank walked over, handed me a glass of warm milk, glanced at the suitcase, and frowned, "Where are you going?"

"Organizing my closet, getting ready to donate some things." I took the milk, pretending to be calm.

Frank stared at the suitcase, then looked at me. I could feel the suspicion in his eyes.

"By the way, I'll go with you to the checkup tomorrow."

"No need." I lowered my head, "I already went today."

"What? You went by yourself?" Frank frowned, "Why didn't you wait for me?"

"Didn't you have an important meeting?" My voice was steady, "I can go by myself."

Frank reached out to hug me, and I dodged subtly.

"Annie, you've been a bit—"

"Frank." Anna's voice came from outside the door, interrupting him.

Frank immediately walked toward the door, "Anna? What are you doing here? You should be resting."

Anna leaned weakly against the doorframe, Bruce supporting her.

"I'm sorry, Frank."

Anna's face was pale.

"I don't want to bother you, but the doctor said I need peace and quiet, and it's too noisy at home... Could I stay here for a few days?"

Her eyes filled with tears, looking pitiful.

"Of course you can." Frank didn't hesitate.

"Stay as long as you want."

Anna turned to me, asking carefully.

"Annie, you don't mind, do you? After all, this is your and Frank's home..."

Bruce said impatiently, "Mind what? Anna's this sick, you're not going to be that petty, are you?"

I looked at them, having long seen through Anna's tricks.

She'd been like this since childhood.

But I just said calmly, "Whatever, stay if you want."

Anna froze, a flash of disappointment in her eyes, then quickly resumed her fragile look.

"Thank you, Annie, you're so kind."

The next day, Frank was busy setting up Anna's room.

He gathered all the servants, giving detailed instructions:

"Anna's delicate, put lavender aromatherapy in her room."

"She doesn't like bright light, change the curtains to blackout ones."

"Prepare oatmeal every morning, not too hot."

"She's a light sleeper, tell the servants to walk quietly."

I stood at the top of the stairs, listening quietly. Every sentence was like a knife.

He knew all of Anna's habits, better than he knew mine.

I thought of the lavender aromatherapy in our bedroom. I never liked lavender, I preferred jasmine. But I thought he'd specially chosen it for me, so I never objected.

Now I understood—what he thought I liked was actually what Anna liked.

I closed my eyes. God, how could I have been this stupid.

The night before leaving, I prepared a candlelit dinner.

Not because I still had hope, just to say goodbye properly. After all, we were once married, and I was carrying his child.

I changed into a light blue dress, lit candles, and made Frank's favorite steak.

When Frank came home, he paused, "Is today... some special occasion?"

"I wanted to have a nice meal with you." I smiled, "We've both been too busy lately."

Frank sat down, candlelight flickering on his face.

"How's the baby?"

"Good." I cut my steak, "The checkup today, the doctor said everything's normal."

"I'm sorry I couldn't go with you." Frank's tone was guilty, "I've been too busy lately, neglecting you and the baby. When the baby's born, I'll make it up to you both."

When the baby's born...

My hand holding the knife and fork trembled slightly.

That's when you'll force me to "voluntarily" donate my heart.

Frank seemed to notice my silence and smiled, "Eat more, you're too thin. When I first met you, you were this thin too, like you'd blow away in the wind."

I looked up at him, one last impulse rising in my heart.

"Frank, do you remember the first time we—"

Anna's voice interrupted the moment, "Sorry to interrupt, can I join you?"

I turned to see her holding a bottle of wine, standing in the dining room doorway, her smile innocent and sweet.