I reached out and gently caressed her cheek, a faint smile playing on my lips.
"Didn’t you say you wanted to take me to adopt a child? There’s a nanny at home to help out, and I’ll be fine. I just want to visit the welfare home. Please?"
In five years of being together, this was the first time I had ever acted vulnerable in front of her.
She couldn't resist. With a reluctant sigh, she finally gave in.
On the way there, she took out a box of cakes she had prepared in advance and placed them in front of me one by one.
She claimed she bought them, especially for me.
But the packaging, clearly marked as suitable for young children, made my chest tighten.
Silently, I closed the bag, tossed the cakes to the backseat, and shut my eyes, feigning discomfort.
This charade had gone on for five years. It was time to end it.
As soon as we arrived at the welfare home, I sat in a wheelchair.
Before I could even take in my surroundings, a little girl came running up and clung tightly to Virginia’s leg.
She looked up at her, eyes sparkling with joy, and called out over and over again, "Mommy!"
Virginia’s face paled, panic flickering in her eyes. She quickly turned to me, her voice laced with urgency.