Some people have the power to change the course of everything once they enter your life.
After Elisa got off the car, she took out the examination report from her bag. She looked at the ultrasound image inside, where there was a small shadow.
Elisa gently touched her abdomen, still finding it hard to believe that there was a little life growing inside her.
She smiled bitterly and crumpled the pregnancy test in her hand, throwing it into the trash can.
By the time Elisa arrived home, it was already late, almost six o’clock. But in the summer, the nights grew darker later, so it didn’t feel too late.
Hamish came back early and didn’t see Elisa. He asked Mrs. Gordon and remembered that Elisa had gone to the orphanage today.
He kept checking the time, feeling uneasy. Why was she taking so long to come back from the orphanage?
Hamish restrained the urge to make a phone call. After waiting for half an hour, he finally heard the sound of the door being unlocked.
Elisa changed her shoes. Even before she entered the house, Hamish questioned her, “Why did it take you so long to come back?”
Elisa replied, “I spent some extra time playing with the children.”
“Do you like kids?” Hamish asked.
“They’re alright.”
What kind of answer was that? Did she like them or not?
Elisa went upstairs with the bag in her hand. Seeing her carrying something, Hamish assumed they were gifts from the orphans and didn’t pay much attention.
After dinner, Elisa went out for a walk. Many people were strolling in the park at this time.
As she looked around, all she saw were couples and lovers walking hand in hand. Elisa couldn’t help but glance around, her dark eyes revealing a hint of emotion.
Hamish and Lila also came out for a walk. They were walking not far ahead of Elisa, holding hands and looking like a loving couple.
Elisa lowered her head, not wanting to see them, but her gaze couldn’t help but follow Hamish’s shadow.
After walking around, Elisa returned home. By the time Hamish realized that someone was missing and turned back to look, Elisa had already disappeared from sight.
Elisa went back and took a hot bath. Then her gaze shifted downward, looking at her flat abdomen.
She didn’t want to give birth to a child for Hamish; she wanted revenge.
Pregnancy didn’t allow for too long of a bath, so Elisa got up after ten minutes. She put on a bathrobe, with wet hair hanging on her back, not bothering to wipe it, allowing the water stains to dampen the robe.
She opened the closet and took out an old photo album from the bottom. The album had been around for a long time, and the photos had yellowed a bit, but they were well-preserved, and the images were still clear.
Elisa opened a page and looked at the woman in the photos, her eyes instantly becoming teary.
“Mom, today is my twenty-fourth birthday, and it has been twenty-four years since you left.”
“Today, many people celebrated with me. I received many gifts, such as origami cranes, stars, a wishing bottle, and a music box. Oh, and I also had a cake. This time, I didn’t buy the cake myself.”
“Mom, I miss you so much.” Elisa picked up the album and rubbed her face against it, tears falling onto the photos.
“Why did you give birth to me? Couldn’t I have gone to be with you?”
In order to prevent the child in her womb from becoming a second version of herself, she absolutely couldn’t give birth.
After Hamish came back, Elisa was still immersed in looking at the album. He quietly approached and looked at the young woman in the photos, who bore a resemblance to Elisa. He instantly realized that the woman in the photos was Elisa’s mother.
Why was she looking at the album? Elisa rarely looked at it, unless something significant happened.
Hamish glanced at the date on his phone, May 21st. He remembered-it was Elisa’s mother’s memorial day and her birthday.
He had forgotten her birthday again this year. In the past, he didn’t care, but this year he felt a tinge of guilt.
“Why didn’t you tell me it was your birthday today?”
Elisa’s body stiffened. She looked up at Hamish, who had somehow appeared beside her.
“Would it make a difference if I told you? You never cared.” Her heart felt a slight pang, a sour and uncomfortable sensation. He wanted to explain, but Elisa spoke again.
“Besides, I went to the orphanage today. I didn’t need you.”
Hamish didn’t like hearing those words. He was narrow-minded, always dwelling on things. Elisa would rather be with a group of wild children than need him.
He snatched the album from Elisa’s hand and threw it on the ground. Elisa’s face turned pale. She felt like Hamish hadn’t thrown the album, but rather a part of her life. She bent down to pick it up, but before she could reach it, Hamish grabbed her wrist and threw her onto the bed.
The bed was soft, but being thrown onto it still hurt. Elisa felt dizzy and disoriented. She let out a muffled sound as she tried to push herself up with her elbows.
Before she could straighten her back, Hamish pressed down on her heavily.
Hamish leaned over, his eyes fixed on Elisa, a cold and ruthless determination in his gaze.
“Elisa, your period is already over, isn’t it?” He hadn’t seen her using any sanitary pads for the past two nights.
Elisa instinctively moved back. “Hamish, what are you doing?”
“It’s your birthday today. Consider it a reward.” Hamish grabbed her thin shoulder, pulled at his tie, and undid a button.
He had an excellent physique, a prime specimen among men, with smooth and toned muscles, broad shoulders, and a narrow waist. He exuded dominance.
Elisa didn’t see this as any kind of reward. She still had a little one in her womb, and Hamish was out of control. She had already shown signs of a miscarriage, and she feared that a touch from Hamish would cause her to bleed profusely.
Just the thought of that scene made Elisa shudder, her face turning pale.
“I don’t need it. Go spend time with Lila.”
“Are you mentioning Lila while I’m on top of you? Are you jealous, Elisa?” Hamish leaned close to her ear, his voice husky, like a satisfied cat.
Elisa tilted her head, avoiding the hot breath that came at her. “I’m not.”
“You’re not? Then why were you constantly stealing glances at me when we were out for a walk today? Couldn’t you stand seeing me holding hands with Lila?”
Elisa’s chest tightened, momentarily speechless. After a while, she managed to move her lips and asked, “You knew?”
“Your gaze was so intense, it was hard not to notice.”
Hamish moved even closer, his fingers picking up speed as he quickly unbuttoned his shirt.
Elisa became more flustered. Hamish, this man, was always domineering and disrupted her rhythm with just a few words.
Instinctively, she placed her hand on her belly, subconsciously protecting the little life inside. Her mind raced as she tried to come up with a plan. Hamish was the kind of person who only responded to force. The more unwilling she appeared, the more forceful he became.
Elisa reached out and hooked her hand around Hamish’s neck, smiling like an endearing cat. Her eyes half-closed, her voice soft and gentle. “Hamish, adults should know how to restrain themselves.”
“Is that so?” Hamish’s voice was filled with suspicion.
Then what’s the meaning behind you hooking your hand around my neck? Aren’t you seducing me?
Elisa used the force in her hand to slowly lift herself up and kissed Hamish on the forehead. “Consider this your birthday gift to me. I’m not allowed to have any physical contact during my period. I asked Dr. West.”
It had been a long time since Elisa had tried to please him like this. Hamish’s mind wavered for a moment, but upon hearing the latter part about abstaining from physical contact, his handsome face immediately drooped.
He furrowed his brow and stared at Elisa’s pale lips, then lowered his head to cover them.
Elisa, despite her fear, had to pretend to enjoy it. She suppressed her voice and let out a few moans, sounding almost like a cat.
Hamish almost lost control. It felt so good when Elisa cooperated with him. It satisfied his possessiveness.
Elisa was panting, her cheeks flushed with an abnormal redness. Just as she was growing more anxious, Hamish finally released his hold.