Chapter 1

Rosalie's POV

I went back for the first time in a long while to see an elderly doctor who specializes in gynecology. Unexpectedly, I ran into Michael Gordon, my ex-fiance, who had just returned after finishing his classified project.

It had been so many years that I had long since forgotten this date, which should've been ingrained in my mind.

A crowd surrounded him and his childhood sweetheart, Liliana Zink.

His superior patted his back in delight, saying, "Remember to send us your wedding invitation! The past three years must have been truly difficult for you two since you were only able to meet once a month on visitation day."

An awkward expression took over Michael's face as he searched for any sign of me.

Liliana leaned back against his chest, as if by habit. "Mike, it's been so long since you've seen Rose, yet she didn't even bother coming on such an important day. Maybe she's already married someone else."

Immediately, Michael's expression darkened as he retorted, "That's impossible. Don't spout such nonsense."

Meanwhile, I had already seen the doctor and was waiting for my prescription.

With a turn of his head, Michael and I locked gazes. He instantly strode toward me, a wide smile curving his lips.

"Rose, I knew that you wouldn't forget such an important date. This project didn't allow me to take too many days of leave, so I wasn't able to see you. It must have been so hard for you."

His eyes moved to the sign behind me, which showed that we were at the gynecology department. A hint of guilt flashed in them.

"Are you still having painful periods?"

In the past, I would've been utterly delighted to hear his concern for me. Like a fool, I even found all sorts of excuses for him, believing him when he said he couldn't take any leave and waiting for him for three whole years.

Now, however, I no longer had any feelings for him.

I shook my head and opened my mouth to explain that I was here for fertility issues.

Yet, before I could say anything, Michael had already nudged me aside as he pushed Liliana down into the seat, demanding that the doctor take a look at her.

Liliana put on an embarrassed look. "I'm just having the sniffles, Mike. There's no need to make such a huge fuss. You should let Rose see the doctor first. Having period cramps is truly awful."

Nonetheless, Michael insisted that she be thoroughly examined first. "She's used to it, so she'll be fine waiting a short while."

Upon hearing this, I was momentarily dazed.

One time, I suffered from period cramps so severe that I almost fainted. My face was ghastly pale as I told him to buy me some medicine at the pharmacy, yet even when night fell, he still hadn't returned with the medicine.

I made a fuss over it for a long time, yet he simply brushed me off with a joke. "You just need to get pregnant, then you'll be fine. Eating too much medicine is bad for your body."

Later, I found out that he had simply been out taking a walk with Liliana. When I heard the old gossips around the neighborhood commending their love, saying how Liliana and Michael had been together on and off over the years, I felt like the biggest fool in the world.

Because of this, I fought with Michael constantly, getting into all sorts of arguments. At last, he proposed to me and completely cut ties with Liliana.

After that, the smile returned to my face. I believed that this relationship was still worth it.

However, that was before he went off to work on some confidential project for three years, after which he couldn't even bear to spare me one visitation day. Instead, he gave them all to Liliana, who was downtrodden due to her breakup.

As for me? Well, I didn't matter. It was as if he thought I had no feelings…

My thoughts snapped back to the present when the doctor called out my name and handed me the medicine.

"Take it according to these instructions, and you'll be pregnant in no time. You're still young, so just take it slow and easy."