"Astrid, you won. I don’t want Lucian anymore. He’s yours."
Astrid had returned a month ago, right when I had just discovered I was pregnant and signed the surrogacy agreement with the Prescott Family.
She reached out to me, hoping I would set up a meeting with Lucian for her.
I knew she only wanted me to be a witness, to tell a few lies that would help her case.
No matter how ridiculous Astrid's words were, Lucian would believe her. Just like how no matter what I said, he would never believe me.
I rejected Astrid's request, but she challenged me, betting that Lucian wouldn't let me keep the baby.
Now, I lost, thoroughly and completely.
I thought that even if he didn't love me, he might still feel some sympathy, even if just for the child. But Lucian didn't. He had no heart.
The next morning, I braved the snowstorm and took a taxi to the hospital to schedule an abortion.
"The baby has already formed. Are you sure you want to terminate the pregnancy?" The doctor flipped through my medical reports, looking somewhat regretful.
"Doctor, I want a regular abortion, not a painless one." I clenched my hand tightly in my sleeve and as I nodded, my heart felt like it was being torn apart.