4
“Why are you back again?” I awkwardly shifted the topic, leaning against the cabinet. Luke approached, raising his hand, but it landed at the corner of my eye. “Were you crying?” He dampness on his hand, looking a bit lost.
I chuckled lightly and casually explained, “You know how it is with pregnant women; our emotions can be all over the place, but I’ll be fine in a bit.”
He sighed in relief, “Good. I almost forgot to ask, what kind of safety lock do you want?”
How about a cloud pattern with the character for ‘blessing‘? They isn’t much time now, so a simpler design would be better.”
I was taken aback; I hadn’t expected him to care so much.
If only he had shown this kind of concern before.
“Okay, you decide it.”
Just before closing the door, he checked again, “Are you sure you’re okay?
I opened my mouth, a flicker of hope igniting within me. “If something’s wrong, will you stay with me?”
He hesitated, then forced a smile. “Vivian, don’t be silly. Clara is still waiting for me at the hospital. Get some sleep, I’ll head out now.”
Once the door shut, I couldn’t hold back my sobs any longer. I cried over my blindness in marrying Luke and for the foolish hope I kept harboring for him. I knew the outcome all along, didn’t I?
That night, I packed all my belongings.. The divorce application hadn’t come through yet, but I was utterly exhausted. Before bed, I poured out the beans, and soaked it overnight. The next day, as I ate the mushy soybeans, I received a message from Luke. He sent word that the safety lock had been purchased and asked me to pick it up at the hospital.
When I arrived, I went straight to Clara’s ward. Luke wasn’t there, he must have gone to grab some food. Clara smiled and asked. “Vivian, is there something you need from Luke?”
I forced a smile, keeping my tone calm. “I came to get the safety lock Do you know where he put it?”
Clara feigned surprise, I revealing her foot tucked under the blanket. A red string was tied around her ankle, with a delicate safety lock hanging from it. The cloud and blessing character were exactly what Luke had promised me.
“This? Luke gave it to me as an anklet. Isn’t it pretty?” She beamed with pride, while I felt my sanity slipping away.
My world tilted. My baby was gone, my husband didn’t love me. All I wanted was a safety lock for my baby…
I didn’t remember how I leave the hospital. I only knew that by the time I got home, my throat was hoarse from crying, and I could no longer make a sound.
Back at home, I wrote a list of unfinished tasks, hoping Luke would finish them for me, out of respect for our marriage. Once I confirmed there were no more loose ends, I picked up my luggage and left the compound.
13:13
< 4
The guard, just finishing his shift, eagerly offered to help with my bags, but I declined. From now on, I wanted to walk my own path.
Meanwhile, Luke returned to Clara’s room with food. “Clara, did Vivian come by?”
Clara smiled and pulled her feet back under the blanket, “Nope. No one came by. Luke opened his lunchbox. “Let’s eat first. Did you keep my safety lock safe?”
“I’ll swing by home this afternoon and bring it to Vivian,”
Clara replied, taking the lunchbox.
Suddenly, a knock came. A nurse entered and asked. “Who here is a family member of Vivian? She forgot to pick up her medication after her miscarriage.”
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