Identical Intake Forms at the Prenatal Clinic2 / 3

Chapter 2

Janelle pouted petulantly and snapped at him.

"Good thing you're here, Devon! Let's end this pregnancy right now and sign the divorce papers! I never want to see your face again!"

"Baby, what did I do wrong? Just tell me. When have I ever not let you hit me or yell at me to vent?"

"I've looked after you since we were kids, and I spent years chasing you before you finally married me. Every time you say you don't want me, it rips my heart out!"

Janelle refused to let it go.

"Oh, so you still remember I'm your wife? You're always buried in your damn work!"

"Why don't you just marry your job instead? I called you earlier and it rang for fifteen seconds before you answered. You just don't care about me anymore!"

She worked herself into a frenzy, fresh tears streaming down her cheeks.

Devon looked as if his heart was breaking into pieces.

Meanwhile, my face went deathly pale as the cold reality punched a gaping hole in my chest.

Devon was always swamped with work, constantly staying late at the office.

Whenever he was home, I did everything so he wouldn't have to lift a finger.

I never dared to ask him to accompany me to my prenatal appointments, keeping the dates to myself so I wouldn't burden him.

Once upon a time, my own family treated me like a precious princess, too.

"And this checkup! You actually tried to have an assistant bring me here! Isn't this your child, too? If his own father doesn't look forward to his birth, he shouldn't even be born!"

Sweating with panic, Devon rushed to explain.

"How could you think that, honey? You know I couldn't sleep for days out of pure joy when I found out you were pregnant! He's our baby, how could I not want him?"

"I thought the appointment was tomorrow. I was clearing my schedule today just so I could surprise you tomorrow morning!"

Janelle pounded her fists against his chest.

"Save your sweet talk! You promised you would never miss my calls. And what happened? I was abroad for two years, and you missed my call once!"

I remembered Devon telling me that the first time he saw me, he felt an uncanny sense of familiarity―that it was destiny bringing me to his side.

Back then, I foolishly celebrated, thinking God was finally blessing me with a warm, loving home.

"And on my last birthday, you didn't text me right at midnight! You were a whole minute late!"

On my own birthday, he had casually brought home a gold bracelet.

Seeing a gift that far exceeded our budget, I believed he had secretly saved up for months just to treat me.

Even though it was the wrong size, I treasured it with tears of gratitude in my eyes.

"And two months ago, when I burned my hand trying to cook soup for you, it took you an entire hour to rush home!"

Two months ago, I had acute appendicitis, rolling on the bed in agonizing pain. Devon had just walked in the door, but after a glance at his phone, he panicked and dashed back out.

He completely ignored my trembling hand reaching out to him from the bed.

In the end, I had to call an ambulance for myself.

Even then, I made excuses for him, convincing myself there was an emergency at his company and that he was working hard for our future.

As Janelle rambled on, warm tears dripped onto my arms unnoticed.

"You just don't care about me like you used to! When it comes to love, I want everything or nothing at all!"

Beside her, Devon whispered desperate pleas.

"Janey, you're my most precious treasure. How could I not care? Everything I do is to build a better life for us!"

"I was wrong. I'll cut back my hours to be with you full-time. You can punish me however you want."

"Just don't say you don't want me or the baby anymore. It's killing me!"

After more coddling, Janelle finally calmed down and softened her tone.

"Fine. But don't let it happen again. As punishment, carry me back to the car, and you have to make me your homemade honey BBQ ribs tonight!"

Devon scooped her up effortlessly into his arms, his voice brimming with relief.