The Past is Hard to Recall

Chapter 2

I absentmindedly stirred the congee, my mind coldly wandering. As expected, it's happening again.

"You know, Winona's had feelings for me for years, and she's been struggling with depression. I was thinking, maybe we could go through a mock wedding with her this time, and then we could have our real wedding afterward. It would fulfill her dream, and she won't bother us anymore after that."

My hand froze, the spoon still in the bowl. I slowly looked up at him. Cole seemed uneasy, his expression tense.

"Stella, we owe it to her. After all, she got depressed because of me. You love me the most, you understand, right?"

Hearing those words, I was flooded with memories. Ever since I'd fallen completely into the web of love he'd spun, he'd constantly tested my obedience disguised as care. For instance, whenever Winona's depression flared up from seeing us together, he'd ask me to buy her luxury handbags. Or when she cried, he'd blame himself, saying it was my fault for not making him happy, hinting that I should send her money or buy her jewelry to comfort her. All of this had led to this wedding.

Before, Winona had threatened to harm herself unless he held a wedding for her first. He'd thought I would give in, just as I had so many times before. But this time, I refused to back down. For the first time, I stood up for myself, even if it meant a heated argument. I told him that if he insisted on making Winona the bride, it was over between us. In the end, he chose his wealth and status, and shockingly, Winona really did end her life.

Now, facing the same situation, I looked at the uneasy Cole in front of me, not arguing or causing a scene. I simply smiled and said, "Alright."

Cole froze, his mouth slightly open, as if he had a million arguments ready but hadn't yet voiced them.

"Stella, you're not angry?"

"No. After all, I'm the one you love most, right? You only let her down because of me."

With that, I turned and walked toward the bedroom. Behind me, Cole pondered my words, sensing something wasn't quite right but unable to figure out what it was.

Just as I was drifting into a hazy sleep, I felt the mattress dip slightly, and then Cole's warm breath on my skin. His restless hands followed.

"Stella, don't worry. For you to make such a big concession for me, I promise I'll never let you down in this lifetime. The doctor said the baby is four months along. How about we…"

My previously drowsy mind snapped to attention. I dodged his hand as it slid under my nightgown, a wave of nausea hitting me hard. I rushed to the bathroom and started vomiting.

He followed me, gently patting my back, but the more he did, the worse I retched. Soon, my mouth was filled with bitter bile. The taste was disgusting.

Cole subtly pulled back, distancing himself. I pretended not to notice and dragged myself back to the bedroom.

He followed behind, holding a glass of milk in one hand and a small pill in the other.

I glanced at the milk and pill, shaking my head.

"I don't want to take it."

He smiled indulgently.

"Don't be stubborn. It's for our baby's sake."

I reluctantly swallowed the pill. After he left the room and closed the door, I immediately spat it out.

I had been so blinded by love before that I never questioned anything. But now, I realized it wasn't because I felt unwell that I needed to take the prenatal vitamins. Every time his phone vibrated, he would make me take that pill. And each time, I would feel incredibly sleepy afterward.