Chapter 3

Hearing those words, I sharply inhaled.

Because I knew Emily had dedicated everything to dance.

I had brought up having children a few times after marriage, but was always firmly rejected.

The impact on her figure and career after pregnancy was too risky for her to take.

Sure enough, Emily frowned slightly.

"Why?"

Ryan lowered his gaze, his eyes a bit forlorn.

"I've been so busy with work abroad all these years, and have decided to dedicate my life to scientific research. My family doesn't want our lineage to end, so they came up with this idea. I know it's an unreasonable request, but I don't want to have a child with just anyone."

"Emily, if I hadn't gone abroad that year, maybe we would already be married with kids by now."

The words were ambiguous, inviting speculation.

Sure enough, a hint of hesitation flashed in Emily's eyes.

Her movements became careless, and she accidentally cut her finger with the fruit knife.

She hurriedly grabbed a tissue to press on it, making an excuse to find a nurse and left the room.

I floated in the hospital room, scrutinizing Ryan with my gaze.

I didn't believe a word he said.

As far as I knew, Ryan had an older brother who was already married with children.

The excuse of continuing the family line was too flimsy.

The phone rang and he smiled slightly seeing the caller ID.

"Honey, I'm fine."

"I haven't finished things here yet, I'll probably have to stay a few more months. I'll come back to see you once she agrees."

"Be good, I miss you too."

As soon as he hung up, Emily walked back in.

She seemed to have made some kind of decision, taking a few steps closer.

"Ryan, I understand your dedication to your dreams. I'm willing to have your child, but we need to wait until I've finalized the divorce, okay?"

A gentle smile returned to Ryan's handsome face.

"Of course."

I froze for a moment, feeling awful.

So the child I had begged for, Ryan could get with just a few words.

She was even willing to risk her career for him.

Thankfully, we didn't have children together.

Otherwise, how pitiful would a child be with parents like this.

"I can be discharged in a couple days. Once the paperwork is done I'll move in with you."

Emily looked confused. "What do you mean move in together?"

Ryan teased her, "Didn't you agree to have my child? How are you going to do that if I don't move in? You can't make a baby by yourself, you know."

Her face flushed with embarrassment. After a moment's hesitation she spoke, "We don't have to live together. We can do IVF at a hospital."

Ryan paused, his words considerate, "I won't force you to do anything you don't want to. But a child conceived naturally is generally healthier than one through IVF. For the baby's sake, please think about it some more."

Her expression was complex as she picked up her phone to call me again.

Still no answer.

I had never gone so many days without contacting her. Faced with a request from the man she had loved for years, she instinctively felt guilty towards me. Perhaps remembering our days and nights together all these years made her unable to make an immediate decision.

When she got home, she didn't immediately notice anything amiss in the house.

It wasn't until she opened the fridge and found her favorite juice missing that she realized the reminder note on the fridge was from a week ago.

"Honey, they're out of the lime juice you like. I got you orange juice instead. If you don't finish it in a couple days, remember to throw it out."

I floated in the air, back in our familiar home.

This place once held all my love, and witnessed every sleepless night.

Emily took out an unopened bottle of orange juice and took a sip before setting it down. Seems she didn't like the taste.

She turned and walked into the bedroom, only noticing something was wrong when she opened the closet.

The men's pajamas that usually hung next to her silk nightgown were gone.

She turned and went into the study, finding that my Lego sets had disappeared too.

That was the only gift Emily ever gave me. I treasured it dearly.

She paused, disbelief in her eyes, then started searching the house for any traces of me.

But I didn't have many belongings to begin with.

Everything had already been moved to the rental apartment.

Half an hour later, she finally accepted the fact that I had truly left.

She picked up her phone and dialed my number one more time.

This time the call finally went through.

She frowned instinctively and commanded:

"Jack, I don't care what game you're playing, but my patience has limits. If you don't show up by tomorrow, I'm getting a lawyer for a contested divorce."

The other end was silent for a few seconds before speaking.

"Hello, this is the police station. Your husband Jack Wilson passed away in a rental apartment a few days ago. Please come to the station to claim the body."