CHAPTER 6: Are Men's Promises as Cheap as Dirt?

"Good night, Kate. No matter how great yesterday was, it's gone. No matter how tough tomorrow seems, you still have to take that first step forward!"

This was Sirius's nightly message to me.

I still didn't know who Sirius was. Ever since tragedy struck my family, he had been silently supporting me financially and emotionally. Each night, without fail, he sent me a positive message, filled with warmth and encouragement.

During the darkest times, his unwavering care and daily affirmations became a source of strength and courage for me. And tonight, his words aligned perfectly with my current state of mind.

Yes, no matter how difficult tomorrow might be, I have to keep moving forward.

I replied with a simple, "Sirius, thank you," without mentioning anything about the day's events.

To my surprise, his reply came quickly: "Still awake this late?"

I glanced at the time—it was already 2 a.m. Definitely late.

"Yeah, I was at a friend's birthday party, so I got back late. What about you? Why are you still up?" I responded.

"I didn't get your reply earlier, so I was worried," he replied.

Holding back tears, I sent him a smile emoji. "I'm fine. Good night!"

He sent back a cute good-night emoji.

But after saying good night, I lay in bed wide awake until dawn.

The events of the previous night felt like a nightmare I desperately wanted to forget. Yet the memories kept replaying in my mind: Daniel's cruelty during the procedure, his heartless indifference afterward, and the vicious things he said. Each recollection brought fresh pain.

After hours of inner turmoil, I decided I would go to the hospital today.

Even though I felt unwell when I woke up, even though I knew I might run into Daniel, I had to face it. Avoiding him wouldn't solve anything. After all, I wasn't the one at fault—if anyone should be hiding, it was him.

As Sirius had said, no matter how hard tomorrow might be, I still have to take that step forward.

Regardless of what becomes of my relationship with Daniel, I need to see my mom. I can live without a man, but I can't live without her. She's the only family I have left in this world.

I used to work as a nurse in the acupuncture department at Riverside General Hospital. When I walked in, some of my former colleagues noticed me. They stared at my stomach with surprise and fake concern.

"Kate, you've already had your baby?"

"No, wait… wasn't your due date in September?"

"Could it be…?"

I had no energy to deal with their phony curiosity. I forced a weak smile and entered the elevator.

As I stepped out, I saw several pregnant women in the hallway. That's when I realized—I had pressed the third floor out of habit.

The third floor was obstetrics. Daniel worked there.

It wasn't even his shift yet; his office door was still closed. But the hallway was already busy, with patients holding appointment slips and waiting their turn.

A young couple sitting nearby caught my eye. Their heads were close together as they looked at the ultrasound pictures in the woman's hands.

"Only 1,300 grams—so tiny!" the woman exclaimed.

The man gently touched her belly, smiling. "She's still small, but she'll grow."

The sight froze me in place.

I envied them deeply. Despite having prepared myself for this moment, such a warm, loving scene still pierced my heart.

I didn't want to let my vulnerability show in front of others. Before the tears could fall, I hurried into the restroom and locked myself in a stall.

I had barely closed the door when I heard someone enter and lock the main door behind them.

"Stop it! We're about to start work—don't do this!"

"Chloe, I can't go even a second without seeing you. You've got me hooked."

I froze in shock.

Hearing Daniel say her name confirmed everything for me. I now knew who this other woman was.

In Riverside General Hospital, there was only one Chloe: Chloe Lane, an anesthesiologist.

It made sense—they worked in related departments, so close collaboration was normal. But I never imagined their collaboration had become so… intimate.

"Daniel, where do you think Kate went?" Chloe asked, her tone playful.

"I don't know, but she'll show up at the hospital sooner or later. Her mom's still here," Daniel replied nonchalantly.

Wow. He knew me so well.

"You're right, Daniel. Don't worry. She doesn't have any family backing her. Even if she gets hurt, she won't dare to do anything."

"Yeah. What she needs is money. I'll give her a settlement, and she'll sign the divorce papers willingly."

"Daniel, I've waited long enough. End it with her soon. I don't want to keep sneaking around like this."

"Don't worry, Chloe. I won't let you down."

Such confident promises! The same kind he had once made to me.

Are men's promises really as worthless as dirt?

A few moments later, the unmistakable sounds of their passion echoed through the bathroom.

I clenched my fists tightly. I wanted to kick open the stall door, confront them, and humiliate them on the spot. But the whole situation was so revolting that I couldn't bring myself to move.

So, I endured it. I endured Chloe's moans and Daniel's heavy breathing.

In that moment, I wished desperately to be deaf.

Suddenly, my phone rang, its loud ringtone shattering the silence in the worst way possible.

Panic surged through me.

The events of that night felt like a nightmare I wished I could forget. Yet, the scenes kept playing over and over in my mind—Daniel's cruelty during the procedure, his heartless indifference afterward, and the hurtful things he said. Every time I thought about it, it hurt all over again.

After hours of wrestling with my emotions, I decided to go to the hospital today. Even though I felt awful when I woke up, and despite knowing I'd likely run into Daniel, avoiding him wasn't the answer. Sooner or later, I had to face him. After all, I wasn't the one at fault in this. If anyone should be hiding, it should be him, not me.

Just like Sirius had told me: no matter how difficult tomorrow is, I still have to take that step forward.