Pulsing Beginnings

"Did you guys fight? Why is June so angry with you?" Chloe asked, facing Sushi as they lay on the bed that night.

"Things just spiraled out of control. June has been misunderstanding Huan and me. He's not even willing to listen to my side of the story. And even when he does, he refuses to believe it," Sushi explained, recounting the events of the past few days.

"Why did you let misunderstandings come between you two? You made a mistake, Sushi. You're married to him now, of course he'll get angry if he sees his wife with another man," Chloe admonished.

"Chloe, Huan isn't just another man. We've known him since childhood. He's like a brother to me," Sushi tried to clarify.

"Yes, that's true. But just because you see him as a brother doesn't mean he sees you the same way. And June is a man, especially your husband. You have to be understanding toward him," Chloe advised.

"I understand that, but he's not even willing to trust my words, no matter how much I try to explain," Sushi expressed her frustration.

"What about your past? Why didn't you tell him? Why didn't you tell him that you were there in his life all along?" Chloe questioned.

"Chloe, you know that June loved you. I didn't want our relationship to start with that. I want him to love me for who I am, without dwelling on our past," Sushi explained.

"We don't know yet, Sushi. We don't know if he loved me or you. Because we were both in his life, he's seen both sides of us, but we don't know which side he preferred. He proposed to me because he thought I was the only one," Chloe reasoned.

"If you don't tell him the truth, how will we ever know whom he truly loved?" she pressed further.

Sushi responded sadly, "I know. I've read his old diary. You know, he prayed that he would never meet me again. He despises me, Chloe," she confessed, hugging Chloe tightly as tears streamed down her face.

Sushi's sobs gradually subsided as she leaned into Chloe's embrace, finding solace in her sister's comforting presence. "I don't know what to do, Chloe. I feel like everything is falling apart," Sushi admitted softly.

Chloe held Sushi tightly, offering comfort as she cried. "Shh, it's going to be okay, Sushi. We'll figure this out together," Chloe whispered soothingly, gently stroking her sister's hair.

When June entered their room that night, he found himself fixated on the large marriage portrait adorning the wall.

"You've turned my life upside down. How could you be smiling?" he murmured, addressing the image of her in the portrait.

"I'll make you pay for everything you've done. You've shattered my trust completely."

As June stood in their room, anger surged within him at the thought of Sushi being with Huan, a fury that burned fiercely in his chest. 

Yet, beneath the flames of anger lay a river of sadness, a deep ache that gnawed at his heart. He felt a profound sense of hurt, of betrayal, as he grappled with the realization that Sushi seemed to lack respect for him, for their marriage.

The next day, Sushi woke up with a sense of determination. Despite the turmoil in her personal life, she knew she had to prioritize her health and the well-being of her unborn child. With resolve in her heart, she made her way to the hospital for her first prenatal checkup.

Upon arriving at the hospital, she was greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of the maternity ward. Sitting in the waiting room, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the journey she had embarked upon. Thoughts of tiny fingers and toes, of lullabies sung in the quiet of the night, filled her mind with anticipation.

As she sat in the waiting room, her mind buzzed with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. She couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement at the thought of pregnancy, yet the weight of her troubled marriage cast a shadow over her joy.

Finally, it was her turn to see the doctor. With a deep breath, Sushi entered the examination room and lay down on the table, her heart pounding with nervous energy.

The doctor made all tests needed and began the ultrasound, and Sushi held her breath as she watched the screen, her eyes searching for any sign of life.

And then, there it was. A tiny flicker of movement on the screen, a heartbeat echoing through the room. Tears welled up in Sushi's eyes as she listened her baby for the first time, a rush of love washing over her.

The doctor smiled warmly. "Congratulations, everything looks perfect," he said, his words filling Sushi with a sense of joy and relief.

Leaving the hospital, Sushi felt a newfound sense of purpose. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, she knew that the arrival of her little one would bring light and joy into her life, and she couldn't wait to welcome them into the world.

When she arrived at office, she went to see June in his room. She decided that she doesn't want to end relationship with June like that and it is not good for children to grow up as a single parent.

"I have seen how much I suffered while growing even though I have a father. I don't want my kid to end up like that. I will fix things between us whatever it takes, even if it is not for me, I will do it for our baby's sake." she thought and opened the door.

"June, we need to talk," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

He glanced up briefly, his expression guarded. "What is it?" he responded, his tone clipped.

"What do I have to do to make you believe me?" she asked, her words tinged with desperation.

His response was swift and cutting. "You don't have to do anything. I'm tired of your games," he retorted, his words laced with bitterness.

Undeterred, she pressed on. "Are you really going to let our marriage crumble like this?" she pleaded.

He scoffed. "This marriage was built on broken foundations. It's too late to salvage it," he replied, his voice heavy with resignation.

Determined to prove him wrong, she met his gaze squarely. "If trust and love are what we need, then I'll make you trust me and I'll make you love me," she declared, her resolve unwavering.

His response was cold and dismissive. "Do you honestly think you can do that?" he whispered, his breath ghosting over her ear. "You're living in a fantasy if you think you can make me love you."

As he turned away, she felt a surge of frustration and sadness. But she refused to give up. With a steely glint in her eyes, she vowed to fight for their marriage, no matter the obstacles in her path.

He continued talking, "Your little puppet is outside, you can play with him. I would rather die than believe you again."

"Bunny!" a scream came from the door. 

When they both turned to see, a woman was standing there. Sushi was shocked by her appearance. 

"She is so beautiful and elegant. Her eyes make me feel envious. Wait, I think I have seen her somewhere. Who is she? It's..." Sushi thought to herself. 

"Nivi, you're back," June shouted when he saw her, with a smile on his face. 

Nivi ran towards June, hugged him directly, and gave him a peck on the cheek. 

Seeing them together like that made Sushi go mad. She knew that they were close, but she never realized that they were like this. 

"Bunny, I missed you," Nivi said, holding his hand. 

"What? Bunny? Is that how she calls him? What a joke," Sushi thought, envious of what was happening in front of her. 

Nivi suddenly turned her gaze towards Sushi and asked June, "Did I interrupt something? I think you were talking about something with your employee." 

Sushi tried to say, "I am June's wife," but June interrupted and said, "It's not that important.

 We have a lot to catch up on." He held Nivi's hand and took her to the couch, and they both started talking and laughing, ignoring Sushi in front of them. 

The shocked Sushi left the room quietly with jealousy and sadness on her face.

"She left?" Nivi asked.

"I think she is," June said, looking toward the door. They released their hands instantly.

"How were my acting skills? It should have stirred her heart," Nivi asked.

"What was with that kiss? Did you adopt US culture or something? So cliché. Don't do it next time, it's irritating" he teased her.

"You don't know anything about girls. From now on, I'll help you deal with her," Nivi said with a smirk on her face.

Sushi was shocked, "My resolution to make him mine was crushed in a split second. Why the hell does she have to come back at this time?" She talked to herself, hitting her head on the desk helplessly.