Chapter 5: Kicked to the Curb

A sleepless night.

The next day—

I went downstairs with heavy dark circles, Blake had already gone to work.

Aunt Linda coaxed me into eating a little breakfast.

After much thought, I decided to go to the hospital.

To abort the child.

From Aunt Linda, I learned that I hadn’t shared a bed with Blake for almost a year.

So, this child definitely wasn’t his.

I didn’t know why my future self would do such a thing.

But this child couldn’t be kept.

I made an appointment with the OB-GYN.

However—

As soon as the car left the street,

Going through a side road, it was suddenly blocked by a motorcycle that screeched to a stop.

The rider was a young man.

Work pants, black T-shirt.

At a glance, he looked a lot like the old Blake.

But when he took off his helmet, it was a completely unfamiliar face.

Handsome, a bit roguish, wild.

He walked to the car, tapped on the window with his knuckles.

Mouthing my name:

“Rachel.”

I rolled down the window. “Who are you?”

The guy pressed his palm to his chest, looking heartbroken. “Just a few days apart and you’ve forgotten me, babe?”

He pinched my cheek.

“My fault for not looking for you these two days. Been busy racing, don’t be mad, I’ll make it up to you today.”

He raised his eyebrows, cocky and wild.

I more or less knew who he was.

“Tyler?”

“So you didn’t forget me completely.”

I frowned, deciding to lay everything out. “Since we ran into each other today, let’s make things clear.”

He smiled, acting like he was all ears.

“No matter what our relationship was before, it’s all over today. I have a family now, and I won’t divorce. You’re young, no need to waste time on a married woman, let’s end it here, okay?”

He didn’t speak.

He silently took two drags of his cigarette, then turned his head, blowing out the smoke.

He laughed lightly.

“You’re just gonna use me and kick me to the curb, huh? Real classy, Rach.”

I was about to speak.

Looking up—

My gaze followed Tyler’s and saw Blake in the distance.

I couldn’t see his expression.

I could only see the shopping bag he was carrying.

It was my favorite cake from that bakery.

A wave of shame washed over me. Tyler’s bravado suddenly felt small and childish compared to the ache in Blake’s eyes. I wanted to disappear, or at least hit rewind and start this whole scene over.