Nathaniel's words had ended their relationship, Melanie felt. "Fine!" she declared, rising and wiping her tears. "Since you're so sorry for her, I'm leaving! From now on, you don't need to worry about the baby and me!"

She'd used the baby to pressure him, but this trump card proved useless. Nathaniel looked at her coldly. "Do you really plan to raise this child, Mel?"

Melanie felt immediate guilt. She intended to have an abortion in two days, due to her health and her affair with Frank—a secret that would inevitably wound Nathaniel. The baby was a burden she couldn't carry. It had been her bargaining chip, a fact he didn't know. Was it now worthless?

Suppressing her guilt, she said stubbornly, "What do you mean? Are you saying I faked my pregnancy? Do you know how hard pregnancy is? I can't eat or sleep! I'm working for you and the company! Who do you think I'm doing this for?!"

"I know you're still blaming me," she continued, tears welling. "You hate me, even though I did it for you and MN Inc.! Am I right? You don't need excuses to hurt me. Since you can't accept it, let's break up. I won't hold you back. Go to your old flame, but don't regret it!"

She turned and left, her short steps belying her raised legs. She heard him call, "Mel!" before reaching the door.

She stopped, tears in her eyes, but a smile forming. Before she could laugh, he said, "I'm sorry."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What did you just say? What do you mean, you're sorry?!"

She expected the usual coaxing, knowing his heart well. What did his apology mean? What was he planning?

Hurrying back to the hospital bed, she took his hand. "No, please don't apologize, Nate! You did nothing wrong. I didn't mean to blame you. I'll do anything for you, but I don't want to break up. I don't want to lose you. I'm sorry I hurt you. I regret it, and I'm so sad. Can we forget this? I promise it won't happen again!

"We'll be happy forever! We still have a baby. We'll be a happy family, right?" She placed his hand on her abdomen.