Chapter 3

Coralie had fallen into a coma due to an allergic reaction to alcohol, and when she awoke, it was already the following evening.

Dana stood by her bedside, her eyes red and puffy. She had found Coralie unconscious outside the restroom the previous day and had rushed her to the hospital just in time, uncertain of what might have happened otherwise.

"How are you feeling now, Coralie? It's all my brother's fault. He knew you were allergic to alcohol and still pressured you to drink, and now he's nowhere to be found. I haven't been able to reach him at all." Dana said, gritting her teeth in anger.

Coralie offered her a comforting smile. She knew that Dana was the only one who truly cared about her now.

"It's alright, he's probably busy."

Just as she finished speaking, Kellan appeared at the door of the hospital room.

"Honey, I'm sorry I'm late. I had no idea you were hospitalized." Kellan said, his eyes full of guilt as he took Coralie's hand.

She mustered all her strength to pull her hand away, as even the slightest touch from him made her feel nauseated.

"Kellan, I'm so disappointed in you."

Tears rolled down her cheeks despite her resolve not to cry over him anymore.

Kellan glanced at his hand, puzzled. Coralie had never rejected his touch before.

Yesterday, she refused his kiss, and today she wouldn't hold his hand. Had she discovered something?

"Honey, I truly know I was wrong. I shouldn't have pressured you to drink, but at least the doctor said you're alright."

Coralie thought cynically to herself. Whether it was really for his reputation or for Perla, only Kellan knew.

Just then, Kellan received a message on his phone, and his expression turned serious after reading it.

"Honey, Jamison said you've resigned from your job? Why?"

She had always loved photography, and he had tried so hard to convince her to be a full-time housewife, but she had refused every time. Why would she suddenly quit on her own?

"It's nothing, I just felt it was time to stop working."

Kellan affectionately ruffled her hair. "If you don't want to work, then don't. I'll take care of you."

It was the kind of sweet talk most women longed to hear, but Coralie felt no warmth from it.

Dana had to leave for class, so she instructed Kellan to accompany Coralie for her check-up.

Before Coralie entered the examination room, she heard Kellan's phone ring again, and he answered with a smile.

She didn't need to guess-it was surely Perla.

"Kellan, I'm hungry, but I don't know how to order food delivery here, and besides, that food isn't good for the baby. Can you come and cook for me?"

Kellan agreed with a smile, glancing at Coralie.

"Honey, go on with your check-up. I'll bring dinner over in a bit."

Without waiting for her response, he hurried off. Watching his retreating figure, Coralie lowered her head and chuckled bitterly. She realized she could only rely on herself now.

The test results showed no major issues, and the doctor informed her she could be discharged the next day.

As the night deepened, Coralie still hadn't received the dinner Kellan promised, but she did get a friend request from a stranger-it was Perla.

"Coralie, I'm straightforward. I won't beat around the bush. Kellan is the father of my child. I think it's best if you let go sooner rather than later."

She sent a video of Kellan in the baby section of a store, carefully selecting items and frequently consulting Perla. They appeared every bit the picture of a loving couple.

There was also a photo of Kellan with his face pressed against Perla's belly. Coralie's eyes stung, but no tears fell.

"You must have realized by now that you're just a stand-in. Kellan never loved you. If you leave on your own, maybe you can still retain some dignity."

Coralie laughed bitterly to herself. Was there any dignity left in this relationship?

"Don't worry, I will leave, but not for your sake."

It was for her own sake.

After sending the message, she blocked Perla.

She didn't want to hear anything more about Kellan from her. It would only deepen her pain.