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He poured me water,then cooked a simple bowl of noodles—his old specialty.
Back when he was starting out,life was tough,but I stuck by him.
He’d say,“Babe,I’d lose it without you.”

As I ate,I said,“Nathan,can you spend more time with me these next two months?”
“I’ve got cases.No time.”
“But I want a baby.”
His face darkened, and his voice sharpened. “I’ve told you that I’m busy.”
His phone rang.His expression softened as he stepped to the window to answer.
I watched his face relax,a faint smile forming—something he hadn’t shown me in ages.

He grabbed his coat to leave.
“Nathan,where are you going?Think about what I said.”
“When I’m free,I will.”
An hour crept by, and my phone suddenly buzzed with a notification.

It was from the apartment I’d gifted him.
He wasn’t at the firm—he was there,with her.
A week later,at my hospital follow-up,I spotted a familiar figure.
Nathan,arm around a petite woman,heading to obstetrics.
He fussed over her as she entered the exam room.
Then he saw me.
Panic flashed in his eyes.
I texted him: Come home when you are free.
Then I contacted a lawyer to draft divorce papers.
That night,he came home.
Neither of us spoke.
I slid the divorce agreement across the table.
“You’re divorcing me?”he asked with an incredulous voice.
“Yeah.I’m dying,and you cheated.”
“Why go through a lawyer?Couldn’t you just tell me?”
“You’re right,Mr. Big - shot Lawyer. You can deal with your own divorce.”
He sneered,“You’d never leave me.”
I smirked back, “If we’re not getting divorced, then buy me a fancy grave.”
He laughed,exasperated.“Claire,stop it.Can’t we talk?Threatening to die now?”
He thought I was throwing a tantrum.
“Curious why I was at the hospital?”
“You followed me?”
I shook my head,pale.“I told you,I’m dying.Believe it or not.”
“You’re not fooling me with this pity act.”
“Then why were you with Emily at obstetrics?”
“She’s pregnant and in a divorce.I just went for her checkup.”
My heart shattered into a million pieces as I watched them. All the love I had for him seemed to drain away in that moment, replaced by a cold, bitter emptiness.
“So,Mr. Big - shot Lawyer,ready to play stepdad?”
With a loud slap, his hand connected with my face.
I stumbled.He reached to steady me,but I shoved him away.
His face twisted.“Claire,don’t push me.”
Pain surged through me.
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