Jack seemed really interested in the Erewhon project and had been here for quite a while. I had asked him when he was returning home, but every time, he said the project had just started. Hence, he wasn’t planning to return yet. I understood what he meant-it was because I was here, and he didn’t want to leave.
This kind of situation always left me uncertain and unsure of how to handle it.
But at least my health was improving. I was already able to take on small projects.
While Jack’s team continued discussing the project, I started working on some design tasks for my studio back home.
Andrew would always say that if every patient were as much of a workaholic as me, maybe shifting focus would even cure them of their cancer. But deep down, I knew I’d die from boredom if I stayed in bed any longer.
On the day I was discharged, Andrew and the nurses threw me a little farewell party. His beard had grown back, and tears were wetting it, which looked a bit ridiculous.
“I told you I’m really handsome, and I’m even better than Julian, right?” he said, pulling my hand and urging me to confirm he was better than Julian.
I could only silently nod. Then, he made one of the nurses record the moment. I was sure I’d be in trouble if Julian ever found out about this.
From time to time, Andrew would share updates about Alisa’s pregnancy.
“Lisa threw up again. She can’t keep anything down, and I swear this kid is too much. When the child is born, the first thing I’m going to do is spank them!” he said, his voice tinged with mock annoyance.
“Lisa’s getting fatter. She says she wants to lose weight, but then she thinks about the baby and gives up on that plan. She wants a girl. She says if the kid looks like you, it’d be perfect. But how is that even possible? Why wouldn’t the baby look like me?” Julian had turned into quite the chatterbox ever since he found out he was going to be a father. I kept reminding him to be careful with his phone in case Alisa checked his messages.
But he assured me he had installed some hidden software, so no one could find anything.
When I saw a photo of Alisa’s round face as she was now 20 pounds heavier, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Jack asked, coming over after placing my few belongings in the car.
“Julian said he’s using some hidden software. He thinks he’s really clever. And look at Alisa. She’s gained 20 pounds! Oh my god. Do all women gain weight when they’re pregnant? I should…”
My words trailed off as I thought about the baby. I instinctively touched my lower abdomen, and the thought hit me maybe this was something I wouldn’t easily let go of.
“Alright, let’s go. The apartment’s ready,” Jack said, helping me into the car.
Jack ruffled my wig. I quickly covered my head and shot him an unhappy glance. He chuckled and shook his head without any hint of disdain.
When we arrived at the apartment, I didn’t expect to see Astrid. She was tidying up the place and had placed several pretty little trinkets around.
“Astrid!” I called, walking toward her excitedly. But she didn’t seem to notice me at all and kept cleaning.
Curious, I waved my hand in front of her face, but she just walked away. I turned to Jack, wide-eyed. He just shrugged his shoulders.
Astrid went into the bathroom and set up towels and a new toothbrush for me.
“Astrid?” I called cautiously, standing by the bathroom door.
She still didn’t respond. It was as if she couldn’t hear me at all.
“Astrid, what’s going on…” I asked again. The floor was wet, and I lost my balance, almost falling.
Astrid instinctively reached out to steady me, and I looked up at her, laughing nervously. “Oh, so you were pretending not to see me? You can’t fool me.”
Astrid didn’t speak, but her grip on my hand tightened. Her eyes were red, and there was a hint of anger in them.
I froze, suddenly feeling frightened. “Astrid, what’s wrong…”
Before I could finish, she pulled me into an embrace and started sobbing uncontrollably.
I was stunned, completely caught off guard.