Chapter 3 % I couldnt understand .
How could people change so suddenly ?! Leah , who once treated me like her own daughter , had turned into a stranger .
And Charles , the man I had spent twenty years of marriage with , had become someone I no longer recognized .
When Charles returned , he found me sitting by the window , my voice lost from crying too much .
He pulled me into his arms , the chill from outside still clinging to him .

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Silently , he took off his coat and tucked my frozen hands inside his sweater , his warmth seeping into my skin .
For a fleeting moment , it felt like time had rewound twenty years to when we still loved each other fiercely .
Back then , we struggled .
Isaiah had cut off every opportunity for Charles , trying to make him regret his decision to get a vasectomy .
Because of that , he resented me , too .
In this vast , indifferent city , we had slept in a cramped basement , surviving on instant noodles and steamed buns .
At our poorest , we couldnt even afford a single sanitary pad .
On the coldest nights , we curled up together in one bed , wearing every piece of clothing we owned , shivering beneath a threadbare blanket .
I had cried back then , too .
I kept telling myself to let go , that if we clung to this life any longer , Charles , whose health was already fragile , would only wither further .
Charles , lets stop this .
Lets get a divorce .
Go back and admit your mistake .
If you go now , you might even get a warm bowl of chicken soup waiting for you .
} He held me tighter , tucking my hands deeper into his clothes , pressing my frozen feet against his body as if trying to shield me from the world itself .
His voice trembled between fear and determination .
} No , I wont divorce you .
Natalie , I wont say I was wrong because I wasnt .
Im sorry … The vasectomy hurt , but I couldnt bear to see you suffer .
And yet … I still made you suffer .
} Bitterness spread across my tongue , the taste no different from the tears that blurred my vision .
The past and present bled together , indistinguishable .
Charles , lets leave , okay ? } You love children .
We can have one of our own , okay ? } Why ? Why didnt you tell me when you wanted a child ? } A heavy silence settled between us , thick and suffocating .
It crashed over me like a wave , dragging me back to reality .
Slowly , mechanically , I turned to look at Charles .
As I followed the hesitation flickering across his face , I realized he hadnt come back alone .
} This was my first time meeting Eleanor .
Just like in the videos Leah had posted , she was young , poised , and exuded a soft maternal warmth , graceful in a way that made it impossible to look away .
And I turned toward the mirror by the window .
My swollen , red rimmed eyes stared back , puffy like walnuts , the wrinkles at the corners deepened by days of relentless tears .
I looked utterly miserable .
} Something unfamiliar twisted inside me .
Eleanors gaze lingered on the very spot where Charles had been warming my hands .
The pain in her eyes didnt seem feigned , yet she forced a smile as she gently nudged the child beside her forward .
Charles , visibly shaken by her sadness , didnt hesitate .
His hand slipped from mine , and without a second thought , he wrapped his arm around her shoulders .
He said nothing , just pressed a tender kiss to Eleanors forehead , a soothing gesture meant for her alone .
} A sharp wave of bitterness surged through me , and my fingers , still not fully warmed , turned cold once more .
Eleanor shyly touched her face , then glanced at me with a smile , subtle yet triumphant .
Orion , go on , say hello .
This is Aunt Natalie .
I stiffened , disbelief lacing my voice .
What … did you call me ? She smiled , her tone light , almost effortless .
Orion .
Orion , like the stars .
Charles said he hopes hell grow up to be as bright and admirable as the sky above .
X A ringing filled my ears .
My mind blanked .
Orions lips moved , he was speaking , but I couldnt hear a single word .
Slowly , I turned to Charles , searching for an answer , but he only lowered his head , his guilt laid bare in the silence .
Orion Davis .
The name we had chosen together long ago when we had still dared to dream of a child of our own .
9/2 30.02 7.56 AM