Chapter 3
Sawyer called the evening after I left.
He didn’t ask where I was or if I was alright. He just said, “It’s probably good for you to take some time to cool off. When you’ve come around, I’ll come get you.”
I let out a dry laugh and hung up.
A friend of mine, knowing I was pregnant, insisted I secure a spot at an early learning center. I didn’t mention my plans for a termination; I figured attending an orientation might just kill some time.
As soon as I walked into the building, I saw Sawyer there with Kylee’s daughter, participating in a class. They seemed like the perfect little family, sharing sweet smiles. I stood frozen in place.
It dawned on me then—every Wednesday, Sawyer would leave work two hours early, ever since around the time Kylee had her baby.
A bold suspicion started to take root...
While the receptionist stepped away to fetch me a glass of water, I sneaked a glance at their scheduling records. Seeing Sawyer signing Kylee’s daughter up for the most expensive package and committing to be there every Wednesday drained all my strength.
The receptionist, clueless to my inner turmoil, finished explaining the early learning programs and moved on to discuss the maternity center. She pointed at Sawyer in the classroom with a radiant smile, “That gentleman registered his wife for both our maternity center and the early learning program. They’re one of our premium clients. You might want to chat with her after the class.”
“Our premium clients receive exclusive benefits. If the parents decide to purchase a growth fund for their baby, we gift them a set of silver keepsake cups.”
Her words overwhelmed me. Kylee was considered Mrs. Jacobs. So what did that make me—an afterthought?
Seven years with Sawyer, and apart from a few minor gifts, he had never given me anything significant. Yet, he had meticulously planned everything for Kylee, even down to the maternity center details. I remembered the matching silver cup I saw on Kylee’s desk and how Sawyer had brushed it off. “It’s just a corporate anniversary gift—stop being so paranoid, alright?”
No wonder the marketing manager, Scott, couldn’t hold back his laughter at Sawyer’s awkward explanation, earning him a month’s salary cut.
I left the early learning center and, almost involuntarily, found myself at the maternity center the receptionist had mentioned.
Just as I walked in, Sawyer called again, “Where are you? I got two barbecue vouchers from a friend, and I thought we could grab lunch together. You’ve always wanted to try that spot, right?”
His tone was light, hinting at the fun he'd just had in class.
Before I could respond, my eyes were drawn to a commercial playing on a mounted TV. Kendra, the sales associate, approached me with a smile, “This is our promotional video. It showcases the daily lives and class highlights of our members.”
I tightened my grip on my phone as I watched Sawyer in the video, attending a postpartum recovery class with Kylee. While Kylee followed the instructor’s movements, Sawyer sat beside her, winding her long hair around his finger, crafting it into a makeshift ring.
“Isn’t it sweet? They’re our happiest couple here,” Kendra gushed. “He’s an entrepreneur, you know. Despite his busy schedule, he always makes time for her.”
I ended the call and absently touched the indentation left by a once-worn ring on my finger, smiling through the tears.
The attendant looked concerned, “Ma’am, are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” I replied, smiling, and walked away.
As I turned the corner, Sawyer’s car drove past me. Through the window, I saw him handing a licorice candy to Kylee. I recognized that candy wrapper well—it was my favorite.
I clutched my chest, wandering aimlessly forward, memories of Sawyer's disgusted face when he watched me eat that candy replaying in my mind.
“That stuff tastes terrible! How can you eat it?”
Because of him, I gave up my favorite candy. Yet today, I’d witnessed firsthand his indulgence toward Kylee.
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