Willing Heart, No Regrets

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When my fianc passed away in the earthquake, he entrusted his brother, Aaron Hayes, with my care.

That care lasted five whole years. One night, fueled by alcohol, we lost control and conceived a child. Thinking of the diamond ring he kept hidden in his drawer, I rushed home, eager to surprise him. But as I stepped inside, I interrupted a passionate scene between him and the woman hed always loved.

My face went white, and I scrambled to flee. He called out, his voice hoarse, "Eliza, could you grab me a pack of condoms?"

I clutched my pregnancy test results, my smile more grotesque than a cry.

I bought the items and returned, only for Aaron to Venmo me a hundred dollars for my troubles. Scarlett glanced at the box, her eyes filled with open hostility toward me. "Aaron, your sister-in-law might look innocent, but she has sharp tastes!"

Aarons sharp gaze cut over to me. "Eliza, youre still a child, you shouldnt be looking at inappropriate things. Go stay at a hotel for a few days and come back later!"

I aborted our child, obediently left, and never returned.

The doctor looked at me, perplexed, as I reappeared. "Is something bothering you?"

It wasn't surprising she asked. When Id first learned I was pregnant, my face had been flushed with excitement. Now, it was utterly pale.

"Please schedule the earliest possible abortion for me."

Having witnessed countless human dramas, the doctor didn't try to dissuade me. But when it came to signing the consent forms, she insisted I find a family member to sign. I pulled out my phone and instinctively pressed the speed dial. The phone beeped once before Aaron hung up, faster than my own reflexes.

I gave a bitter smile and told the doctor, "I don't have any family; I'll have to sign myself."

After the procedure, I saw that Aaron had taken a moment to send me a screenshot of a hotel booking. He was so thoughtful, hed booked me a room for a week.

"Unless it's life or death, don't bother me these next few days. You understand."

When I saw that diamond ring on her hand, what was there left for me not to understand?

How laughable, my self-deception, believing the ring was for me. Even more laughable, that I thought he would remember that night of utter abandon. I glanced at the bloody, indistinct embryo, my heart dead inside as I left.

The luxury suite had everything, comparable to the cozy bedroom Aaron had decorated for me. But as I curled up under the covers, I felt nothing but a chilling cold. My hands trembled as I dialed a number.

"Professor Miller, you mentioned assembling a team to go to Africa for medical aid. Count me in."

Professor Miller, ever perceptive, was delighted that I wanted to join but also asked tentatively, "Eliza, didnt you say before that your brother-in-law was worried about you going to Africa? Did you two have an argument?"

"Dont be stubborn and run off with me. Hell go frantic digging up the earth to find you later!"

Professor Millers concern was natural. After Aaron and I had that chaotic night, Id slipped away early, mortified, while he was still asleep. Afterward, he acted as if nothing had happened, treating me with the same big-brother demeanor. Angry that he wouldn't acknowledge what wed done, I had silently gone traveling to clear my head. As a result, Aaron had turned the whole town upside down looking for me.

Everyone knew he cherished his sister-in-law more than his own eyes. Seeing the news, I automatically interpreted it to mean I was very important to him.

Turns out, I was overthinking. Now, he could spend a passionate night with the woman of his heart and put me up in a hotel for a week. Once they were married, there would certainly be no place for me in that home. I also didn't want to watch him and another woman in sweet affection day after day.

"Professor, he's agreed to it."

"Alright, then I'll submit your name to the list. I'll send you the materials shortly so you can prepare."

Looking at the documents, I booked my flight for seven days later.

Perfect, I'd stay in the hotel for seven days, then leave. As for what to bring, I tried to recall, but it seemed there was nothing I absolutely needed. Since the earthquake, homeless, everything I owned had been bought by Aaron. He covered all my expenses, so the inheritance my parents left me remained untouched.

I owed him. I kept a small amount for myself and transferred the money I owed him back to the card hed given me. After doing all this, my mind clear, I fell into a deep sleep. In my slumber, I felt the building sway again. The phone rang repeatedly, but I didn't hear it at all.

Then, an urgent knocking at the door.

"Eliza? Open the door!"

Aaron's anxious voice left me disoriented, unsure of where I was. Groggy, I opened the door. He saw I was unharmed, let out a sigh of relief, then erupted in anger. "What's wrong with you? Not answering calls, not replying to messagesis it fun to scare me like this?"

I picked up my phone and saw a string of missed calls from Aaron. While I'd been sleeping, another earthquake had hit. "I'm sorry, I was sleeping too deeply to hear."

"Liar! You're terrified of earthquakes. Every time there's even a slight tremor, you can't sleep!"

It was true. Whenever that happened, he would stay up all night with me, constantly telling me he would protect me. Even if the building collapsed, hed be there, ready to die with me. I glanced at the misbuttoned buttons on his shirt, a strange warmth spreading in my heart. He did care about my safety after all.

But the hickey on his neck told me not to flatter myself. He was only protecting me, a poor orphan like himself, because of his brothers dying wish.

"Maybe I was just too tired."

Aaron clearly didn't believe me. He stared at my face for a few seconds, then coldly scolded me. "Why did you paint your face so white in the middle of the night? Just to trick me into coming over?"

I looked up, seeing the displeasure in his eyes. Before, when the earth shook, he would tell my pale face not to be afraid. Now, deathly pale from a miscarriage, he claimed I'd painted my face to trick him. I tugged at the corners of my lips, my heart feeling like a plum steeped in ice water.

"It was my fault for ruining your plans, Big Brother. You should go back to your fiance."

It had been a long time since Id called him "Big Brother." The title, slipping from my tongue, made Aaron's thin lips press into a taut line. His eyes, dark as a deep pool, held an emotion I couldn't decipher.

"Come back with me. If there are aftershocks, Id rather you be with me. Scarlett and I would both feel better."

"Lest you cause more trouble."

"I won't cause trouble. You go!" I stood stubbornly, refusing to move.

Aaron's brow furrowed, his patience worn thin. "Just because you wouldn't answer your phone, I left Scarlett alone at home. Can't you be a little more considerate?"

But I had already aborted the baby and resolved to leave without a word. Wasn't that considerate enough? Before I could speak, Aaron's phone rang opportunely. A sweet, delicate female voice sobbed, "Aaron, when are you coming back? I'm a little scared"

"Don't be scared, Scarlett, I'll be right back!" Aaron soothed her gently, while giving me a pointed look.

I was already content that he'd thought of me first when the earthquake hit. A non-relative, he had looked after me for years. If I still didn't get the hint, I'd be ungrateful.

Aaron couldn't hang up the phone right away, and I still refused to leave. So he forcefully hoisted me onto his shoulder and headed for the elevator. I struggled violently, telling him to put me down, and accidentally knocked his phone to the ground.

Annoyed, he reached out and slapped my bottom. The sharp smack echoed in the hallway, making both of us stiffen. The heat of his palm, through the thin fabric, burned uncomfortably against my skin. Thinking of that wild night, my icy body instantly flushed hot.

A young girl passing by stifled a giggle and ran off, but at the corner, I heard her voice message to a friend, gossiping: "Just saw the cutest couple! I bet they won't leave their hotel room for three days!"

Aaron was already frozen, startled by his own impulsive action. Hearing this, he immediately dropped me, as if I were scorching hot. The usually composed man blushed right down to his neck.

"Look at the trouble you've caused! How embarrassing! I shouldn't have bothered with you!" With that, he picked up his phone and left alone.

I used all my strength to stand steady, holding on until the elevator doors were almost closed before I could no longer bear it. He was the one who forcibly carried me away, and he was the one who crossed the line by hitting my bottom. If that was embarrassing, then what was getting me pregnant?

My emotions surged, and the blood flow below wouldn't stop. Everything went black, and I fell straight backward. The young girl, hearing the commotion, quickly shouted towards the elevator, "Hey, your girlfriend fainted!"

I struggled to open my eyes, seeing only the numbers on the elevator screen rapidly descending. It finally stopped on the first floor and remained motionless for a long time. The young girl, having only half-finished her gossip, rushed over and helped me up. Seeing the pools of blood spreading beneath me, she was indignant. "What happened? Did your boyfriend just abandon you and run off?"

I gave a bitter smile. "You misunderstand, he's not my boyfriend." She, however, automatically assumed wed had a fight and broken up. I leaned on her for support, trying to get back to my room, but after only a few steps, I completely passed out.

When I opened my eyes again, all I saw was sterile white. The familiar scent of disinfectant reminded me I was in a hospital. "You're awake?" The nurse, after confirming I was alright, began to chatter. "What's going on with your emergency contact? I called several times, but they just hung up on me."

"The young girl who brought you to the hospital paid your medical bills."

I took out my phone and checked the call history. My heart understood; Aaron was truly angry. But I no longer had the energy to explain or seek reconciliation. I was even grateful he hadn't answered, otherwise, my miscarriage wouldnt have remained a secret.

I rested in the hospital for a few days, then returned to the hotel to retrieve my luggage. But I was told Aaron had already checked me out. The attendant handed me my luggage apologetically, though her eyes held a hint of amusement. As I left, the whispers behind me reached my ears, word for word.

"She's fallen out of favor, hasn't she?"

"Mr. Hayes is already engaged. There's no place for his sister-in-law anymore."

"I thought that after being by Mr. Hayes's side for so many years, she'd have the advantage, but who knew she'd still lose to his first love!"

In the hotel lobby, a preview of Aaron and Scarlett's engagement party tomorrow was playing. I seemed not to hear, hailed a taxi, and headed for the airport. The scenery outside the window blurred backward, and I closed my eyes, exhausted. The car drove for a long time without reaching its destination, and when I opened my eyes, I realized something was wrong. Panic set in. I glanced at the rearview mirror; the masked driver's accidental gaze was like a venomous snake.

Forcing myself to stay calm, I pulled out my phone to call for help. The masked man noticed my intention, sneered, and slammed on the brakes. "Too late now." He got out and pressed a wet cloth over my mouth and nose. My consciousness immediately blurred. He snatched my phone, his voice mocking. "Trying to call for help?"

"How about we make a bet? If he answers your call, I'll let you go. If he doesn't hehe" The man used my fingerprint to unlock the phone and dialed the top contact. Sure enough, Aaron didn't answer. Then he directly hung up. On the last attempt, he finally picked up. I tried to call for help, but the sound that came out was barely a whisper.

On the other end, he was furious. "Eliza Lee, get your identity straight! My brother is dead. You're nothing more than a stranger to me! Don't try to cling to me anymore!" His roar was deafening, mixed with the masked man's mockery, stinging my eardrums and my heart.

At an abandoned factory, the masked man dragged me from the car and threw me onto the ground. A pair of high heels entered my vision. Before I could make out the woman's face, she unceremoniously kicked me twice. Weak, I saw stars.

"Eliza Lee, you are truly shameless!"

"Aaron treated you like a dear sister, yet you shamelessly slandered him!"

The familiar voice made me realize who was assaulting me. That day, when I walked in on Scarlett and Aaron's passionate encounter, her first glance at me was filled with hostility. Seeing I remained silent, Scarlett took out her phone and questioned me. "Did you arrange for this photo to be released?"

"If Aaron hadn't handled it quickly after I discovered it, you would have succeeded!" I looked at the photo, finally understanding why Aaron had said those words.