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Chapter 10
I didn’t respond. I simply turned and walked away with the doctor.
But I hadn’t gone far before I heard the sound of someone collapsing to the ground.
When I turned back at the corner, I saw Juana on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably, crying out over and over,
“My grandson… my precious grandson is
gone…”
After finishing the examination and walking out of the doctor’s office, I found Lucian waiting
for me at the door.
His
eyes were bloodshot, still glistening with fresh tears. He looked like he had just been through an emotional breakdown.
“Don’t you have anything to say to me?” His voice was raw and hoarse.
I shook my head. “There’s nothing left to say between us. Let’s just walk away clean.”
“Solene! I still love you. How am I supposed to just walk away? I never imagined we’d end up
like this.”
“But the moment you married Elise, we were already over. Don’t tell me it was out of
obligation. There are plenty of ways to help someone–you didn’t have to marry her.”
“Solene, I had no choice. My brother was gone. That child would’ve grown up fatherless and
bullied. Elise has no parents. She’s an orphan. How was she supposed to raise a child alone?”
To me, those words were laughable, but I couldn’t force a bitter laugh.
“Yes, raising a child alone is hard. But did you ever think about me? If I had married you and had your child, what would we be? Would we be the ones living happily, while she and her child suffered? You think only she had it tough?”
“Lucian, your love is cheap. I don’t want it. Please, I’m begging you–just let me go.”
I gave up my child because I didn’t want him to grow up labeled a bastard. I didn’t want him to someday ask why his father had two families.
Lucian’s eyes turned red with grief. He still couldn’t make a choice between his obligation and
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love.
I didn’t have the patience to argue anymore and left without another word.
Not long after, the police opened a formal investigation into the incident.
Just as they began uncovering the truth, a tall man barged into Elise’s hospital room. Ignoring her screams, he slapped her across the face–twice.
“You slut! How dare you call the cops on me? You forget how eager you were when you threw yourself at me? Now you want to accuse me of rape? Want me to leak those videos? If I go down, I’m dragging you with me!”
Elise stammered, trying to explain.
But he was beyond reasoning. His anger only escalated.
“You really think marrying Lucian means someone will protect you now? I’ll tell him the truth –that baby you were carrying was mine! Let’s see who still wants you then!”
Panic flooded Elise’s eyes. She shook her head desperately, begging him not to say another
word.
But she didn’t know Lucian and Juana were standing outside the door and they heard
everything.
Juana, furious, burst into the room. Before Elise could react, she slapped her hard and screamed, “You filthy whore! Because of you, I lost my real grandson! Give me back my grandson!”
The grief of losing her real grandson overwhelmed her. Her vision darkened, and she fainted
on the spot.
Lucian had come intending to confront Elise and her lover.
But seeing Juana collapse, he immediately called for help.
After a thorough examination, the doctors diagnosed Juana with an acute stroke. From that day on, she would be wheelchair–bound.
When Juana learned of her condition, a tear of deep regret rolled down her cheek.
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Lucian, meanwhile, filed for divorce.
Elise refused, clinging to the marriage.
But this time, Lucian didn’t give her another chance. He quietly gathered evidence of her infidelity and filed a lawsuit, demanding a divorce and request her leave with nothing.
When I heard about it, I felt a faint sense of lament, but that was all.
We’re all adults. We have to take responsibility for our choices.
No one could be exempt.
Chapter 10
