With no one else to rely on, I signed the surgery forms myself. Lying on the cold operating table, I felt the baby being taken from me. The lifeless weight of my eight-month-old son was unbearable. He was already fully formed, with features that reminded me of Oscar.
After the procedure, I packed my baby’s tiny body, intending to show Oscar what he had missed. But he never came. Not a single call or text.
During my week-long stay in the hospital, I had plenty of time to think. Oscar’s behavior over the past months made sense now. He was always at Madeline’s, sometimes staying overnight. She would post on social media, calling him "the best neighbor," as if to taunt me.
When I got out of the hospital, I knew one thing for certain. I deserved better. There was another man who was better for me, right?
After I got pregnant, Oscar began to show his disdain for my body. The man constantly commented on how much weight I had gained. It really destroyed my confidence.
One day, he even took Madeline, our female neighbor, to his class reunion instead of me. He posted a picture with her on his social media, captioned [A beautiful female neighbor who truly understands my soul.]