Chapter 5
“Aunt Whitney, we’re here!”
As soon as I stepped off the plane, I spotted my little niece waving excitedly in the crowd.
I picked her up with a smile and told my sister, “It’s the middle of the night. I told you that you didn’t need to come.”
“Do you think I wanted to come? Your precious niece has been begging to see her silly aunt.” my sister replied, hugging me.
She glanced at my flat stomach with a look of concern.
Before I could comfort her, she pinched my face and scolded me for being as skinny as a stick.
“Starting tomorrow, you’ll have chicken bone broth every day. Drink it, even if you don’t like it. No arguments.”
“Alright, alright. You’re my only sister, after all.”
I sniffed, holding my niece and getting into the car. The three of us chatted and laughed as we drove home.
Though it was already 4:00 a.m., my parents were still awake in the living
room.
They only went to bed after making sure we were safe and had our favorite honey–iced tea.
After washing up and lying in bed for a few minutes, I, someone who
11
usually struggled to fall asleep, quickly drifted into a deep sleep.
There was no pain, no confusion.
Because I was finally home.
Three days after my return, my parents reserved a private room at a restaurant and invited all our relatives for a welcome celebration.
While the party was filled with laughter and joy, a deliveryman arrived and found me.
My little niece, who often picked up takeout for her mother, ran over. She held the package and bounced back toward me.
Since she could already read, she told me with a cute smile, and said. “Aunt Whitney, this is from someone named Mr. Johnston.”
I paused for a moment before opening the package.
Inside a new cell phone.
Was
Just as I was confused, the phone suddenly rang.
Noticing my family’s concerned gazes, I instinctively grabbed the phone and stepped into a quieter area.
After hesitating. I finally answered the call.
Caleb’s voice, as cold as always, came through.
“Whitney, why didn’t you tell me you were going back home?”
I replied, “Why should I tell you?”
There was a brief silence before he softened his tone. “I tried several
numbers to contact you, but your phone was off. I was worried about. you.”
The truth was that I had set my phone to block calls from unknown. numbers.
“Is that why you went to such extreme lengths, sending me a phone in front of my family?”
I couldn’t help but ask him. “Caleb, are you out of your mind?”
We had been together for a long time, and I had never once insulted or accused him.
Even through the phone, I could almost picture the anger on his face.
But still, he didn’t hang up.
“Whitney, you know me well. My patience runs thin. You should stop now before it gets worse…”
I interrupted his rambling, feeling impatient. “What do you want to say?”
Caleb took a deep breath before replying, “For the sake of the child, I won’t bring up your running away this time.
“I’ve already booked a ticket for you to return to the city next week. Lucille and I will pick you up at the airport.”
I nearly laughed out loud.
“What child? The one I was carrying is gone.”
I heard something crash on his side of the call.
“Whitney! How could you joke like that about our child?”
I lowered my gaze and responded, “I’m not joking.
“The child is indeed gone. And I truly want to break up with you…”
Before I could finish, he sneered. “The child is gone? Want to break up? You’re just trying to make me apologize!
“Fine, I admit it. I shouldn’t have let you take a taxi home alone just because of the company issue.
“Ms. Parrish, I apologize. Are you happy now?”
