I looked at her pale face, frail body, and the slight tremble in her crying voice.

If I were a man, I would probably prioritize her, too.

"Nora, what's gotten into you?" Zach yelled at me.

He swept Laura up in his arms and left without a second glance.

Laura gave me a defiant look, silently mouthing, "Clown!"

I was indeed the clown, wasn't I?

We'd known each other for years, yet I was clueless about their affair.

I remembered how Laura and I used to mock Zach's lack of romance. I had thought she was on my side, concerned that Zach wouldn't take good care of me.

It seemed she was subtly showing off, telling me she knew Zach better than I did.

She probably didn't expect me to be so oblivious, never suspecting her.

But I couldn't figure it out—if she loved Zach, why did she never fight for him and remain friends with me?

I leaned against the wall until I felt better and then went straight home.

After scheduling an abortion online, I packed up and checked into a hotel.

I had nowhere else to go.

My mother, like me, had poor health and died from a massive hemorrhage when she gave birth to me.

My father remarried later.

At first, I was well-fed and clothed. But then, my stepmother had her own children.