Chapter 2
It was a prenatal test report, and it clearly stated that Cassandra was the mother!
My head spun when I saw how far along she was—three weeks. This meant she and Eugene had already undergone artificial insemination a month ago. He’d never once thought of getting my permission before proceeding with the plan!
Why had he spent the past month pestering me about this, then? To alleviate his guilt? What did he take me for?
My strength left me, and I collapsed on the floor. I felt like a fist was clenched so tightly around my heart that I couldn’t breathe.
No wonder Eugene had looked so happy earlier; no wonder he’d been in such a rush to leave after answering that phone call—he’d learned that the artificial insemination was a success and that Cassandra was pregnant.
Maybe he was already at the hospital to celebrate with her.
I shut my eyes, feeling anguished. Despair filled my heart.
I couldn’t believe the man I’d loved for years was now the father of another woman’s child. I’d proposed to him a mere two months earlier, and our wedding was planned for next month. I’d already reserved the hotel for the big day and picked out my wedding dress.
I’d looked forward to the wedding day, when I would walk down the aisle with my arm in Eugene’s. But now, all my plans had gone down the drain. My expectations had dissipated.
Just then, my phone buzzed. It pulled me back to my senses, and I reflexively answered the call. It was from my senior, Jessica Chapman.
She said, “Riss, I know you’re getting married, but I have to ask once more. Are you sure you won’t consider joining our lab? You’re Professor Watts’ most talented student, and he’s always wanted you to help him.
“He said he’s even willing to make a special arrangement since you’re settling down—he’ll give you half a month off for every two months you spend at the lab. That way, you’ll have time to be with your husband.”
Professor Watts had set up a new research lab in Joransen. I’d known about it for half a year because he’d called me and invited me to join him. However, all researchers would be cut off from the outside world upon setting foot in the lab. We would only be able to leave after completing one round of research.
At best, we would only be there for a few months. Some research could take up to a year or two.
I hadn’t wanted to be away from Eugene for that long, nor could I stand the thought of not being in contact with him. So, I’d rejected Professor Watts’ offer.
But now, I couldn’t help thinking of Cassandra’s prenatal test report. Eugene was already someone else’s father. Since he’d never stopped to consider our relationship and imminent marriage, I didn’t see any point in proceeding with it.
I tightened my hold on my phone as I said, “Jessica, I’ll join the lab. I won’t even need the break Professor Watts has offered—give me the same treatment as all the other researchers.”
Jessica was delighted to hear that. “That’s great! Professor Watts will be so happy! How long do you think it’ll take for you to get here? How about a week after the wedding? At least you’ll be able to go on your honeymoon.”
I said, “That’s not necessary. I’ll go over on the wedding day itself.”
I looked at a calendar placed on a table. I’d circled the tenth of next month with a red marker. It was initially to remind myself of the wedding date so that I’d be able to make the necessary arrangements, but it was now a countdown to my departure from Eugene’s life.
I had 15 days to go. I would think of it as a buffer for me to leave behind the feelings that I’d harbored for over two decades.
Once the 15 days were over, Eugene and I would never see each other again.
