Never Too Late to Change My Mind

"It's fine. You can stay here tonight, and I'll check your place in the morning. Wear this. Don't catch a cold," Connor replied.

Quinn shot me a provocative gaze. Then, she bit her lip and murmured, "Wynn, I'll leave if you're not comfortable with this. Please don't fight Mr. Lockwood because of me."

Connor's expression darkened as he turned to me. "She's in such a terrible state, so stop playing the jealous wife. She's young and newly divorced. Be more understanding, alright?"

A sharp cramp twisted through my abdomen. I could barely remain standing, let alone process what he'd said.

"Whatever." I turned and walked into the bedroom.

Connor seemed briefly stunned before he turned around and settled Quinn into the guest room. The bar of dark chocolate was delivered to her instead.

He never returned to our bedroom, and it was obvious where he spent the night.

Connor and I started dating in college.

Once, we were walking back to campus after a date night when a group of thugs approached us. They made crude remarks and tried to get physical with me.

Connor stepped in front of me without hesitation, even though he was up against three grown men.

I called the police in secret. However, by the time they arrived, Connor was already lying unconscious on the ground.

That memory sent a tear slipping from my eye.

How had we come to this?

…

The house stood empty the next morning. I packed up my few belongings and left everything Connor had given me untouched, right where they were.

The door to the guest room gaped open. At a glance, I saw a piece of lacy lingerie left at the foot of the bed.

I walked over and took a picture to send to Connor.

Just as I was about to leave, I ran into his parents. They excitedly pulled me along and suggested venues for the baby shower and postnatal retreat.

A sharp pain pierced my chest as I bitterly replied, "It's too early for that."

They brushed off my words and called Connor.

"Hello, Mom, Dad. What's up?"

His voice came through, followed by an unmistakable female voice in the background. "Connor, I think I left my lingerie at your place. What should I do? Do you think she'll find it?"

His parents, who were about to speak, froze. Then, as if realization struck them, they fumbled to switch off speaker mode in haste.

"You jackass! Come back here without that slut! Are you trying to drive me and your mother to our graves!"

I picked up my bag and refused to watch them put on an act. "Excuse me. I have somewhere else to be. I'm leaving."

They wanted to speak but ended up swallowing their words.

…

I flagged a cab to the law firm.

After graduating college, Dad wanted me to return home and learn to manage the family business. However, I insisted on starting a law firm with Connor.

Without a law degree, I could only manage menial tasks at the firm.

As I came to my desk and packed things up, whispers trailed over from the pantry.

"Poor thing. She gave her youth to build the firm with the boss but still got cheated on."

"You should've seen that woman the other day. She's so fake and pretentious. I wonder how the boss fell for her act. She ruined a huge business deal, yet he didn't get mad!"

My hands paused briefly, but I continued packing.

My phone on the nearby desk kept lighting up with notifications, so I reached out and flipped it face-down.

When Connor arrived much later, his expression darkened at seeing my actions. "What are you doing?"

I calmly replied, "Resigning. I'm going home to focus on my pregnancy."

Connor sighed in relief and started explaining, "Don't be mad. I had no idea Quinn left her lingerie. I slept in the living room last night. Check the cameras if you don't trust me."

I snapped the box shut and replied, "I trust you."

My overly calm response sent Connor frowning. He softened his tone and said, "Don't be upset, honey. I swear there's nothing between us. You have to trust me. If you don't, I can call her right now."

I wondered what his parents had told him as he surprisingly pulled out his phone and made a call.

"Quinn, what were you doing? Why did you deliberately leave your lingerie at my house to make my wife misunderstand?"

I watched him. I almost wanted to tell him what a terrible actor he was, but I ended up smiling and saying nothing.

He could put on his little performance if he wanted. After tomorrow, we'd be strangers anyway.

Connor grinned and pulled me in for a hug, just like when we used to be in love. "All's fine as long as you're not mad. I swear I'll listen to everything you say. No more contact with Quinn."

His smile was so garish that I had to look away. Things had changed. The Connor who once saw me as his everything had completely rotted away at some point.

"I'll take you to your favorite restaurant tonight. I have a gift for you," he said.

Since I was leaving tomorrow, I didn't want any unnecessary complications. I simply nodded.

…

That evening, I stared at the table full of dishes with no appetite.

I'd never liked spicy food, but to accommodate Connor's tastes, I'd always loaded my plate with chili.

"Eat up, honey. It's all your favorites. I know you can't live without spice.

"Oh, I set up a trust fund for our daughter. It'll mature when she turns 18. I even brought baby clothes. I can't wait to see what she looks like."

I lowered my gaze. "You'll find out soon enough."

His phone rang. He glanced at it and declined the call.

More calls came in.

Connor glanced at me before finally picking it up. When he hung up, I flatly said, "Quinn."

He anxiously explained, "Her ex-husband is stalking her. You know he's always been awful to her. He resents her because he lost the lawsuit. I'm worried something might happen to her…"

After he finished, I smiled understandingly. "Go ahead."

He gave me a grateful look and left in a hurry.

After he left, I ordered a bowl of chicken soup and left the dishes on the table untouched.

When I got home, I had the best, deep sleep.

Before leaving, I placed the miscarriage report and the baby's ultrasound scan on the dining table, along with a note.