Chapter 5
341words
I moved to a small apartment close to the company, and my days became like faded old photographs - peaceful, yet unable to piece together any vivid emotions.
Until she appeared.
That girl from the party who strongly resembled my former self was now standing outside my apartment building.
Her hair hung loose, she wore a loose-fitting wool dress, and her belly was visibly pregnant.
She noticed my gaze and instinctively placed her hand on her abdomen with a certain declarative meaning.
"Do you need something?" I took out my keys, my voice betraying no emotion.
But she moved sideways to block my path, her tone a strange mixture of stubbornness and pleading: "I shouldn't have come to you... but please, could you check on Yuri? He's in a terrible state now, and I'm afraid... my child might be born without a father."
Shock and absurdity seized me instantly, and I almost wanted to laugh bitterly.
Seeing my silence, she seemed to gather her courage, raising her voice: "It's you who can't have children, so are you going to take revenge on him, on me?"
The last thread of patience snapped in response.
I no longer lowered my voice, turning toward the gazes vaguely cast in our direction, clearly and deliberately laying everything bare in the sunlight:
"Everyone, listen! This lady stole my husband, got pregnant, and now shows up at my door questioning why I don't care about their family of three?!"
The whispers instantly transformed into clear condemnation.
Those curious glances immediately turned into arrows, with phrases like "shameless" and "homewrecker" hurled at her like stones.
The color drained from her face instantly, and amidst everyone's pointing fingers and judgmental stares, she fled the scene in panic, almost at a run.
The world became peaceful again.
I stood there, watching that silhouette disappear. I should have felt satisfied, as if completing a long-overdue judgment.
But why were my cheeks so cold?
I raised my hand to touch them, and they were covered in tears.
