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Chapter 25 

Tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that–Mukesh never showed up. 

Thanks to our mutual friends, though, I kept receiving videos of him with Clowen. 

He took her to galas and dinner parties. 

Like some lovesick teenager, he couldn’t wait to introduce her to everyone. 

The day I was discharged, Mukesh posted a grid of nine photos on Facebook. 

Against the sunset, he stood on a romantic hot air balloon, holding Elowen’s flushed face in his hands, kissing her passionately. 

I commented: 

[Wishing you both a beautiful baby and a lifetime of happiness] 

Ten minutes later, Mukesh called me. 

I didn’t answer. 

Half an hour later, after handling my discharge paperwork alone, I spotted Mukesh and Elowen at the entrance to the obstetrics department. 

I overheard a young nurse saying to Elowen: 

“Mrs. Willibert, your husband really adores you. He accompanies you every single time you visit. 

During ultrasounds, he’s worried the gel might be too cold for you, so he always warms 

The pregnant women around them looked on with envy. 

up personally before letting us use it.” 

Unconsciously touching my belly, I remembered that once, there had been a child in there too. 

The day I lost the baby in a car accident, bleeding and miscarrying, I called Mukesh in tears. 

Only to see a naked Elowen answer: 

“Mrs. Willibert, Mukesh lost a bet, so he’s currently handcuffed to the bed as punishment. Did you need something from him?” 

I hung up without a word. 

Less than a minute later, Mukesh called back himself, holding a red–eyed, pouting Elowen as he unleashed his fury on me, calling me petty and stupid. 

He also said: 

“I honestly wonder what someone as useless as you–who can’t even keep her own baby alive–can possibly accomplish. Camelia, you might as well get hit by a truck and die.” 

Coming back to the present, I was about to walk away when Mukesh approached with a cold expression: 

“Why are you just standing there like an idiot?” 

Lowering my eyes, I instinctively explained: 

“I wasn’t following you, I swear. It’s just a coincidence. I’m sorry for bothering you.” 

“Wait.” 

As Mukesh called out, I caught a flash of jealousy in Elowen’s eyes. 

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Chapter 3