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Confused,I watched Margaret smirked with a mocking tone:
“Later,Charles’s mom,desperate for a grandson,forced some folk remedy on Eleanor to boost fertility.”
“Fate’s cruel.Meant to help,it sterilized her!”
My heart lurched.
I’d never imagined so much lay behind Eleanor’s tears that night.
It made sense—in my last life,Margaret likely suffered the“remedy,”ending childless.
No wonder Charles’s mother was never mentioned.
But something felt off.I voiced my doubt:
“But Charles said their kids are in Coastal City.”
Margaret laughed,raising three fingers:
“Three illegitimate sons,forced on Eleanor to raise.”
“That’s just the boys brought home.Who knows how many others are out there!”
I was at a loss for words.
My wife emerged from the exam room,and I hurried to her.
Margaret looked at my pregnant wife's belly and then at her son, with a wry smile on her face:
“We made the wrong choices at first but eventually found the right ones.”
“Seeing how you treat your wife,Eleanor must be filled with regret.”
As if to prove what she had said, a late - night call woke me up with a start.
Not wanting to wake my wife,I tiptoed to the balcony.
Eleanor’s wails pierced the quiet night:
“James,I’m…so lost.I don’t know who to turn to.”
“Can you come downstairs to see me?”
I frowned,annoyed she’d tracked my address.
“Eleanor,you’re not a child.Don’t act on impulse.”
“I’ve said it before—we’re done.Keep harassing me,and I’ll call the police.”
She didn’t listen,sobbing,begging to meet.
I took deep breaths,fearing she’d burst in and scare my pregnant wife,and reluctantly went downstairs.
The night wind carried a chill.Eleanor stood under a streetlamp,thinly dressed.
Seeing me,her eyes reddened,tears spilling.
“James…”
Choking,she lunged toward me,her voice barely audible:
“I was wrong…so wrong…”
“This life,and the last,I was blind to leave you.”
I stood firm,pushing her back:
“You’re drunk.”
“It’s late.Call Charles to get you.”
She shook her head,stumbled forward, and grabbed my arm.
Tears streamed,her face filled with regret:
“James,you loved me so much.Give me another chance,please?”
“I know I hurt you,but…I regret it.I truly do.”
My face turned stern,and I pulled my arm away:
“Eleanor.”
“Fate gave us a second chance.You used yours to choose Charles.”
“The world doesn’t center around you. We all have to face the consequences of our choices.”
“You have a long life ahead of you—don’t dwell on the past.”
She stared,then laughed despairingly.
For the first time since our reunion,I looked at her face.
Barely past thirty,well-maintained,but fatigue and weariness seeped through.
This life,with Charles,she must be suffering.
But I felt no pity,only a detached glance before turning to leave.
Eleanor went frantic,collapsing to her knees,clutching my legs:
“James!Don’t go!Please don’t leave me!”
“I don’t need status!I’ll divorce Charles,bring money,and return to you,okay?”
“Your wife and kids—I’ll provide for them!I have so much money.I’ll file for divorce now…”
Her words were cut off when someone suddenly pulled her away.
A sharp slap rang out,paired with Charles’s furious shout:
“Caught you adulterers!Eleanor,you dare cuckold me,you filthy slut?!”
