"Miss Naomi Nate, your right fallopian tube has been removed. From now on, your chances of getting pregnant would be reduced to fifty percent..."
Naomi Nate's mind went completely blank, a sudden "boom" in her head. Just a couple of days ago, she had been in a terrible car accident. The violent impact to her abdomen had caused such agonizing pain that she blacked out on the spot.
When she woke up, she was greeted with this harsh reality from the doctor.
"Still no luck getting in touch with your husband?" Dr. Smith asked.
Naomi shook her head, her expression clouded with sadness.
Dr. Smith felt a pang of sympathy.
The massive trauma from the car accident had led to an ectopic pregnancy and severe internal bleeding.
If they hadn't operated in time, Naomi wouldn't have survived. And still, the hospital couldn't get ahold of her family.
"Naomi, this is your body, your life. You need to take care of yourself." Dr. Smith tried to comfort her, offering a reassuring smile and giving her a quick thumbs-up. "Walking out of that operating room alive—it's like you've been given a second chance."
A second chance?
Naomi blinked, her attention finally focusing on the doctor. The man in front of her seemed gentle and kind, his demeanor calming like a spring breeze.
His smile had a peculiar power, one that could sweep away the darkest clouds in someone's heart.
"Let go of the past and embrace a fresh start?" Naomi asked out of the blue.
"Exactly!" Dr. Smith's voice dropped to a whisper. "Better to take a step back from breast issues than to face ovarian ones down the road."
Naomi lowered her gaze, her hands balling into tight fists at her sides.
Suddenly, Dr. Smith held out a lollipop. Naomi looked up to see him smiling warmly. "Life needs a little sweetness, don't you think?"
"You've got to live for yourself."
"If you don't love yourself, who else will?"
Naomi felt tears sting her eyes. "Dr. Smith, thank you."
"No need for thanks." Dr. Smith smiled and left her with that.
After he walked out, Naomi forced a bitter smile. Her eyes slowly closed, and a single tear slipped down her cheek.
Bradley Lyle, why aren't you picking up my calls?
She suddenly opened her eyes, frustration bubbling up. She was about to try calling again when she accidentally clicked on her messaging app. In the top corner, a new post from Claire Quella caught her eye. Almost on impulse, she opened it.
"Thank you, Mr. L, for the beautiful necklace ❤️."
In the overly romantic photo, filled with soft pink hues, a man with an obscured face was fastening the love-shaped necklace around Claire's neck.
But Naomi knew those hands. She'd spent three years sleeping in the same bed with Bradley. How could she possibly mistake those familiar knuckles resting against Claire's collarbone?
It felt like a slap across her face. That pink diamond necklace—Bradley had promised to give it to her, but now it was hanging around his first love's delicate, pale neck. She'd only been unconscious for two days, and yet here he was, betraying her so easily.
Unable to stop herself, Naomi dialed his number again.
This time, he answered.
"Bradley, why haven't you been picking up my calls?"
"I'm busy with work."
Hearing his impatient tone cut through the line, Naomi felt her heart twist in pain. "And what about now?"
That update from Claire was just posted just five minutes ago.
"Work."
"Daddy, hurry! Mommy's waiting for you to cut the cake..."
Naomi let out a hollow laugh, her tears flowing freely now. "Bradley, don't you get tired of lying all the time?"
"I..."
"I saw it. You gave that necklace to her..." Naomi could barely get the words out, her voice breaking as she wiped away tears and snot, not caring how she looked. "Bradley, we're done."
"Naomi, stop being dramatic, okay?"
