Two months after breaking up with Carter, he brought his new girlfriend to the convenience store where I worked to buy ultra-thin condoms. While browsing, he deliberately asked the girl clinging to his arm: "So many options. Which one do you think feels the best? Give me a recommendation." The girl blushed, looking at the shelf for a long time, unable to speak. He laughed. "My bad, I almost forgot. When I was with you, I never used them, so you wouldn't know." I lowered my head and wiped the counter, saying nothing. The man chuckled lightly, looking at me with a playful, mocking gaze. "Since you work here, why don't you recommend one?" Chapter 1 I zoned out for a second. After realizing what he was saying, I grabbed a box from the shelf. "This brand has great lubrication, is very friendly for women, and is thin enough that you barely feel it. You can give it a try." Carter's smile faded slightly. "You seem very experienced." I replied flatly, "It's part of the job." He pinched the packaging, his tone suggestive. "Is this the one you use with your boyfriend?" The woman beside him burst out laughing. "Look at her clothes. Fast fashion trash. Her whole outfit probably costs less than twenty bucks." "That brand of rubbers is the most expensive one here. How could she and her broke boyfriend afford it? They probably use the cheap stuff that breaks easily." Carter stared at my face, seemingly waiting for me to look embarrassed or ashamed. I didn't give him the satisfaction. I just kept smiling. "Rest assured, sir. I’ve personally quality-checked every brand here. They are all excellent. You can buy with confidence." Carter’s hand froze, and his face visibly darkened. He scoffed. "Fine. We'll use your recommendation. If it’s no good, I’m coming back for you." He bought a box and walked out with the woman on his arm. After that day? Maybe that brand really was that good. For a solid week, he brought his girlfriend to my counter every single day to buy that specific 0.01 ultra-thin box. Even my manager couldn't help but gossip. "First time I’ve seen something like this. One box a day, and there are five in a pack? That guy has some serious stamina." "Rich people really know how to play. Must be nice to have that kind of energy." "By the way, did you see his car? A Rolls-Royce Phantom. There are only a few in the state. That thing costs half a million just to drive off the lot." "This neighborhood really is full of hidden dragons and tigers." "His girlfriend is so lucky. Dressed in designer labels from head to toe. One of her accessories is worth half a lifetime of my wages. She’s not nearly as pretty as you, Hailey, but she sure has better luck." "Speaking of which... she looks familiar." "I think I saw her in your graduation photos..." I paused, remaining silent. The manager nudged my arm curiously. "Hailey, don't tell me she was your college classmate?" "How did they get together? She’s one of us, right? Come on, spill the tea." I didn't take the bait. I just looked down and said, "There's no tea to spill." "Manager, can I take some time off in the next two days for a checkup?" The manager blinked. "Sure, go ahead. Is the baby's father going with you this time?" I shook my head. "No, I'll go alone." The manager sighed. "You go alone every time. Who is this guy anyway? So irresponsible." I pursed my lips and said nothing. Chapter 2 Actually, the story is pretty cliché. The girl beside Carter was my college roommate, Bianca. Senior year, without my knowledge, she used my photos to catfish Carter online. Everyone knew she had snagged a super-rich boyfriend online. After all, she bragged about it in the dorm every day. She would complain to me, "My boyfriend Venmo'd me money again. It's so annoying, I haven't even finished spending the last transfer." "He's always like this. People might think I'm a gold digger." When I ignored her, she’d cover her mouth in mock surprise and lean in. "Oh, I forgot you're still on financial aid. My boyfriend is rich and spoils me. You're not jealous, are you?" After starting the online relationship, she replaced everything she owned with designer brands. Any random meal she ate cost nearly a grand. Her online boyfriend seemed to have severe insomnia and was incredibly clingy. Every night, Bianca would put on a fake, baby-doll voice and talk to him until late. I was a light sleeper. I relied on melatonin to get any rest, only to be jolted awake by her sudden laughter. I wanted to tell her to shut up so many times. But I didn't have living expenses. I had early shifts at my part-time job, and I was exhausted. I didn't have the energy to argue. My parents were divorced. Both had new families. They stopped caring about me years ago. I paid my own tuition. At night, I was sleep-deprived. In the morning, I had to work. Plus the heavy course load. Sometimes, I was so tired I felt like ending it all. Even though I tried to be quiet in the mornings, Bianca would rip off her covers and scream at me while the other roommates slept. "Getting up before dawn to work? Trying to show off how hardworking you are? Seriously, can you not afford to live?" "If you're that poor, just drop out. Find an old sugar daddy to take care of you. Is this really necessary?" I was in a rush to get to work and didn't have time to fight her. I worked at a high-end coffee shop. One day, a handsome guy ordered the most expensive drink on the menu, propped his chin on his hand, and stared at me unblinkingly. He wore a pure black trench coat, his eyes slightly upturned, pupils a beautiful amber color. He looked relaxed and indifferent. He was too striking. He looked better than most celebrities. The moment he walked in, he became the focal point of the cafe. People were secretly taking photos of him. I couldn't help but steal a few glances too. When I brought him his coffee, he handed me a massive tip, smiled, and said in a lazy voice: "Babe, you're working so hard." "Why are you working so early? I transfer you so much money every day, is it not enough? Do you need more?" I froze. "When did you give me money?" He paused too, pulled out his phone, and opened his gallery to show me. It was full of my selfies. "Babe, you have a mole on your earlobe. This is you in the photos, right?" "Why act like strangers after flirting with me all night? You call me 'Daddy' every night on the phone." His smile deepened. "Is this because it's our first time meeting in person? Are you shy?" I was dumbfounded. "Those are definitely my photos, but... I don't know who you are." He was confused too. We put two and two together. We realized Bianca had been using my photos to scam him. When he realized he'd been duped, he was annoyed. But then he extended his hand to me. "Hi, I'm Carter. Would you be willing to try dating me for real?" I hesitated. He smiled charmingly. "Be with me. I can make your life a lot easier." In that moment, I admit, I was tempted. I was just too tired. Chapter 3 After we got together, Carter was a perfect boyfriend. He recovered all the money Bianca had scammed from him and deposited it into my account. Before graduation, he showered me with gifts and surprises. After graduation, he broke protocol to get me into his company, mentoring me personally on projects. He gave me a resume that most people my age could only dream of. By day, we were boss and subordinate. By night, we were lovers—living together, holding each other. He had incredible stamina, leaving me dazed every time. In those moments, he loved to bite the mole on my earlobe, kiss my eyes, and bury his face in my neck, panting when it was over. Because I had a condition making it hard to conceive, and Carter liked the sensation, he never used protection. In the heat of the moment, he would whisper: "Babe, give me a child, okay? I only want one with you." "Your kid would definitely be as obedient as you." I held him, believing it was true. I thought we would be like this forever. Until that day. I found out he had a fiancée. I went to the hospital for a checkup and unexpectedly found out I was pregnant. Panicked but happy, I rushed to Carter's office with the report. My hand just touched the doorknob. I heard voices inside. "So, you haven't told Hailey about your fiancée?" I froze. I pressed my ear gently against the door. I heard Carter speak calmly: "I don't like my fiancée anyway. Besides, it's just a business marriage arranged by the elders." His friend asked, "Haven't you thought about fighting it?" Carter laughed, his tone careless. "Is it necessary?" "Marrying within your social class is the natural order of things. You don't actually think I'd end up with a charity case like Hailey, do you? It's just for fun." "Besides, I don't want to settle down yet." "I have an agreement with my fiancée. Before the wedding, we play our own games. As long as no kids are involved, anything goes." "Hailey is obedient. She's sensible, and she makes me feel bad for her. I don't mind keeping the act going." His friend joked, "You used to change girlfriends every week. This is the first time I've seen you take a relationship so seriously. I thought you'd changed." "But I get it. Hailey has that innocent look. If it were me, I'd want to keep her around and pamper her too." "But with how wild you guys are, aren't you afraid of getting her pregnant?" Carter laughed. "What's there to be afraid of? If she gets pregnant, I'll just pay for the abortion and give her some cash to break up." "Poor people like that are easy to deal with. They're shortsighted. Throw some money at them and they won't cause trouble." In that moment, a buzzing noise filled my head. I almost fell over. I looked down at the pregnancy report in my hand. It felt like someone had slapped me across the face. My cheeks burned. My hand on the doorknob slowly dropped. That night, I didn't go home. I hid in a hotel and cried alone for a long time. I realized I must have hopelessly fallen in love with him. Otherwise, why would it hurt this much? I loved him, but I hated him too. I thought, why? Why does he hold all the power in this relationship? Why can he pick me up and put me down so easily? Why can he do this, but I can't? Instead of waiting for Carter to dump me, I decided to dump him. I would end this. So, I staged a cheating scene. When Carter found me at the hotel, I was in a bathrobe, kissing another man. The man was an actor I hired. Lingerie was scattered on the floor, along with torn stockings. The bedsheets were messy, deliberately staged to look explicit. Carter stood at the door, the air around him terrifyingly cold. He gave a smile that looked extremely dangerous. "Explain?" The man I was kissing spoke up first. "Mr. Sterling, we are true love. Just let her go." "I swear I'll treat her well." Carter didn't even look at him. His peripheral vision swept over the man with undisguised contempt and disgust. "Get out. A piece of trash like you doesn't get to speak here." The man's face turned red. He opened his mouth but didn't dare argue. I was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly: "It's what you see. I don't like you anymore." "I've already submitted my resignation to the company. The money you gave me is all in the account. I haven't touched a cent." "Carter, let's break up." That night, Carter stood on the balcony and smoked a whole pack of cigarettes. When he left, he said coldly, "As you wish." After that, I blocked and deleted Carter on everything. After the breakup, I originally wanted to terminate the pregnancy. But the doctor told me my constitution made it hard to conceive. If I terminated it, I might never get pregnant again. She advised me repeatedly to think it over and not be impulsive. I was conflicted. I couldn't decide. By sheer accident of indecision, the child stayed. Chapter 4 A week later. Carter came to the convenience store alone. I thought he was buying condoms again, so I habitually reached for his usual brand. He didn't take it. He just looked at me. "Hailey, can we talk?" We went to a nearby five-star restaurant. Carter ordered spicy wings, which I used to love. I said, "I don't eat spicy food anymore." Carter smiled. "You used to be addicted to spice. Why the change?" "Accommodating your new boyfriend?" I lowered my eyes and said flatly, "My stomach hasn't been feeling well lately." He didn't comment, just ordered lighter dishes. After the food arrived, Carter asked me: "Do you regret breaking up with me?" "You never lived this kind of hard life when you were with me." "Is he treating you badly?" I didn't speak. He smiled. "OK, I get it." "I was your first love. You were practically a kid when you got with me. No experience, naive. It's normal not to know when you have it good." "So some guy whispers sweet nothings and you get tricked away." "But life isn't a fairy tale." "You see it now. Look at how you're living without me." "Up at six, home at ten. Two hours of commuting. Crowded subways. Standing all day. Menial work." "Your roommate is my mistress now, and she's living great. Fifty thousand a month in allowance. I gave you even more than that." "That life should belong to you." "This is the last chance, Hailey. Do you want to get back together?" I was silent. After a long time, I looked up. "Carter, I'm not like you. I take feelings seriously." Carter sneered. "Oh really? Can't tell. You like that guy that much?" Just then, I accidentally bit into a piece of fatty meat. The greasy taste hit my throat, making me want to vomit. I covered my mouth, nausea rising. Seeing this, Carter poured me water slowly, half-joking. "Why such a big reaction? Is it morning sickness?" My fingers tightened around the glass. He leaned in. "Looking closely, your belly seems a bit bigger than before." "Hailey, I never used protection. You didn't get pregnant behind my back, did you?" In that instant, my body froze. My temples throbbed. But I calmed down quickly. I drank the water slowly. "No." He stared at me, his eyes unreadable. "Really?" I took a deep breath. "Carter, you're too full of yourself." "Besides, even if I were, there is no way I would keep your child." Carter froze. His face turned ugly instantly. He gritted his teeth. "Fine. You've got guts." "Then let me tell you. Your face is indeed my type. I did fall in love with your photos at first sight." "But the person who chatted with me was Bianca. The one who kept me company through countless sleepless nights was Bianca." "The one I really like, truthfully, is her." With that, he walked away cold-faced. That day, he didn't buy condoms at the store. I sighed in relief. But around 10 PM, just as I was about to get off work. The manager called me. She said Carter ordered delivery service and requested I personally bring his usual ultra-thins to his door. I hesitated for a long time. "Do I have to go?" The manager was put in a tough spot. "There's no one else available right now." I closed my eyes and agreed. I found Carter's house. When the door opened, I saw Bianca in skimpy lingerie. She wasn't wearing slippers, barefoot. Seeing the bag in my hand, she laughed. "Carter, if you forgot to buy them, you forgot. Why make her deliver them? You probably knew she had the day off tomorrow. You're so bad." Carter leaned against the living room door, smiling wickedly at me, but speaking to her: "How many times have I told you? Don't run around barefoot." Bianca whined, "Then put them on for me." Carter laughed. He carried her to the sofa, knelt down, held her white foot in his large palm, and put socks on for her. I caught a glimpse. Under Bianca's skirt... she wasn't wearing anything. I looked away. After putting on the socks, Carter said to her: "Go shower. Clean up and wait for me." Bianca stuck out her tongue playfully. "Fine, okay." She turned to go shower. I handed the bag to Carter and turned to leave. Carter grabbed my hand first. "Unblock my number." I couldn't hold it back anymore. "Are you sick?" "Carter, we broke up." He smiled, but his eyes were cold. "Hailey, this isn't a negotiation." "You know me. If you don't listen, I have plenty of ways to ruin you." I pursed my lips. I knew. He had the power. Eventually, I compromised. I took out my phone and was forced to add him back. He saved my number with satisfaction. "If you have any trouble in the future, call me anytime." I looked at the joy he couldn't hide between his brows. I didn't understand. What is this? A slap in the face followed by a piece of candy? When I went home, it was late. This was a villa district, quiet amidst the city noise. There were no pedestrians on the street, only dim streetlights stretching my shadow long and thin. I walked fast, but my heart pounded. I felt a sticky gaze glued to my back. Was I being followed? Was it an illusion? At the intersection, I stopped and looked back abruptly. In the shadows of the alley stood a middle-aged man with a sleazy face. He was a customer who came to the store often recently, staring at my chest every time he paid. He grinned at me, his eyes scanning my legs. "Little sister, walking alone so late? Are you lonely? Come to my place?" My heart contracted. I ran. I lost a high heel. My ankle hit the stone curb, hurting excruciatingly, but I didn't dare stop. In desperation, I fumbled for my phone and helplessly dialed Carter's private number over and over. But it wouldn't connect. On the fifth try, he finally picked up. I was almost crying. "Carter, someone is following..." Laughter came from the other end. "Hailey, you're doing this on purpose, right? Calling right when I'm taking care of business." "Trying to add some spice to my night?" "Sorry, I'm busy right now." Before I could finish, he hung up. In that moment, my blood ran cold. And in that moment, I made up my mind. I was getting an abortion.
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