Oliver had underestimated me. I've always been a person of great perseverance.
When I pursued him, I could take the subway across the entire city to meet him. And when I decided to leave, I could stay awake all night long.
I repeated the things he had done to me a thousand times, afraid that I would forget them upon waking up.
As dawn broke, Oliver got up to answer a call. It was from Eleanor. I knew this was her inviting Oliver to stop by her place for breakfast on his way to work.
Oliver dressed quietly and said, "Wait for me." The door closed gently.
I opened my eyes and silently took out a camera from the drawer. I recorded every detail of yesterday's events to remind myself that I must leave.
In the process, I accidentally stumbled upon previous videos. It turned out that this wasn't the first time I had discovered Oliver's infidelity.
On my birthday, Oliver accompanied Eleanor to the obstetrics department of the hospital. The prescription included folic acid and a prenatal checkup form.
On our anniversary, I found in Oliver's car a reservation record for a five-star restaurant and two tickets for a private cinema, for a movie titled 'Ambiguity.'
On the very same day, I stared into the lens with red eyes and said, "I'm pregnant, but I don't want to tell Oliver."
The footage froze on an ultrasound report. But last night, Oliver allowed Eleanor to ply me with alcohol to please her.
A sharp pain started in the depths of my heart, spreading and intensifying into an unbearable ache that made me tremble.
Suddenly, I desperately wanted to clarify everything with Oliver, unable to wait a second longer.
So I rushed to his company. The moment I pushed open the door to his office, Eleanor's suppressed sobs echoed from inside.
"I regret it, Oliver," she said.
Oliver replied, "Charlotte's illness hasn't healed yet."
"I know, but I can't wait anymore. The person I love is right in front of me, yet I have to endure…"
"Shut up." Oliver's sudden cold command startled me.
"Eleanor, don't ever say such things in front of me again!"
The secretary rushed over to block me. "Miss Ashton, Mr. Grant has guests. It's not convenient for you to go in. Please wait outside."
"Okay." I changed my mind and wandered aimlessly into the hall alone.
I pulled out the expensive lipstick Oliver had given me and began scribbling on the notice board.
A few minutes later, the secretary screamed and rushed over to grab me. "Miss Ashton, what are you doing?"
On the large notice board, I had circled their portraits and written beside them in bright red lipstick the words: 'Scumbag Man, Slutty Woman.'
Eleanor stepped out just in time to see this scene. Her face paled as she frantically tried to wipe away the words with tissues.
"Charlotte, what are you trying to do?"
I curved my lips into a smile. "What do you think I am doing? You, homewrecker."
I gritted my teeth and emphasized the last two words, speaking slowly and heavily.
Eleanor's expression flickered, and she snapped at those around her, "What are you all staring at? Hurry up and wipe it off!"
Everyone here obeyed her, as if they had already tacitly accepted her status.
When Eleanor turned around again, I noticed a familiar hairpin in her hair. It was the one I had left in Oliver's office last time.
She had obviously taken a shower; her hair was still wet. I reached out to tug at that hairpin.
Eleanor shrieked as if startled and turned around to shove me violently. The force sent my lower back crashing into the table, knocking over folders and the printer onto the floor.
I fell amidst the mess, dazed.
After a few seconds, a dull pain seeped from my abdomen.
Shaking with pain, I struggled to stand with the help of a kind passerby.
Amidst the chaos, Eleanor frowned and leaned close to my ear. "Don't lose it. I warn you, I'm not a homewrecker—"
She gripped my wrist firmly and spoke sternly, "Charlotte, apologize to me right now, in front of all the colleagues!"
Enraged by her audacity, I suddenly felt a warm rush between my legs.
Yet, Eleanor's attitude shifted abruptly, and she started crying out loudly, begging me, "Charlotte, let me go, I beg you… I'm truly innocent with Mr. Grant. Please, don't torment me anymore."
At that moment, a hand grabbed my wrist from behind with great force, pulling me away.
Oliver slammed me against the wall, gnashing his teeth as he asked, "Charlotte, didn't I tell you not to hurt anyone?"
This was the first time Oliver had lost his temper with me. Eleanor sobbed like a kitten being wronged.
He scanned everyone present with a stern face. "Miss Sinclair and I have no unethical relationship. If anyone spreads rumors again, I will spare no effort to pursue legal responsibility against them."
See, he was flustered after all.
Drip. A drop of blood fell at my feet. The secretary cried out, "Mr. Grant, look at Miss Ashton, she's...she's bleeding."
Oliver lowered his head and saw the trail of blood on my leg. He looked at me in astonishment.
I forced a ghastly smile and said, "Oliver, Eleanor made me have an abortion. Don't you think she deserves to die?"
Whispers surrounded us. "How could she…"
"Is she unable to hold it in?"
Only then did I realize that it wasn't just blood. Mixed with an unknown fluid, it trickled down my leg and pooled on the floor.
This was perhaps the most embarrassing moment of my life.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" Eleanor looked flustered.
"Just now, I thought she was going to—" Oliver ignored her, took out a handkerchief, and knelt down.
He bent down and held my ankle. "Don't move, let me clean it up."
Soon, his neat suit was stained.
The hand holding my ankle was also wet.
"Mr. Grant…" Eleanor began.
"Get lost!" Oliver suddenly roared, startling me.
"All of you, get the hell out."
Eleanor sobbed and ran out.
Everyone else gradually dispersed.
I stood rooted to the spot. "Oliver, if you're embarrassed by me, just say so. I will leave you"
He lowered his head, veins throbbing at his temple.
Ultimately, he only said, "Charlotte, let's go to the hospital."
"What about Eleanor?"
"Do as you wish." Oliver's voice was soft, as if too tired to argue with me any further.
"I don't want to see her again."
"Alright, I'll have her fired."
