GOOD-BYE

If she hadn't tried to take Laura's place and planned for Laura to catch them in the act, Ethan would still be meeting with her behind Laura's back. They would have been having sex and she wouldn't be feeling so lonely.

She didn't suspect that Ethan was secretly seeing Laura because he always came back early from work and spent most of his time with her at home. However, Laura and Ethan had been meeting only during their lunch break.

Time seemed to pass by quickly whenever they were together and they always ended up coming back late from having lunch. Ethan couldn't wait for Cila to give birth so he would bring his wife back home. He kept counting the days and marking them in his calendar.

Time passed by quickly. Days became weeks and weeks became months. Eventually, Cila's due date arrived and Ethan rushed her to the hospital. Ethan quickly called Laura and she came to the hospital. The pregnancy seemed to have complications as both Ethan and Laura waited for a long time without any results.

When they couldn't take it anymore, they entered the ward to see how Cila was faring. Cila lay weakly in the bed. She could see Laura and Ethan but didn't have any strength to speak. The doctor told them that Cila was suffering from the effect of placenta abruption and had bled a lot. They would either be able to save the mother or the child but not both.

Laura felt greatly distressed as tears poured from her eyes. The doctor asked Ethan to decide which of them he wanted to save. Ethan asked Laura to decide and agreed to go with whatever she said.

Cila tried to protest from the bed but she couldn't get any words out. She didn't want to die and she knew that Laura was going to take this opportunity to get rid of her and take her child.

Laura closed her eyes and after a few minutes, opened them and told the doctor, "please save the mother, no matter what it costs. The mother's life is of utmost importance because there can always be another baby but there will never be another mother."

Cila was extremely surprised by Laura's decision. If she were to be in Laura's shoes, she would have made a different choice. Tears dropped from her eyes as she recalled all the pain she had caused Laura.

When Laura and Ethan went outside the ward, Ethan hugged her and said, "from the moment I met you, I always knew you were the best woman in the world.

"No, it's not that" Laura replied bitterly. "Regardless of what has happened, Cila is still my friend. How could I sign her death warrant? When all this is over, let's adopt a child. We will love him like our own and shower him with all the love in this world."

" We will do everything just as you have said" Ethan assured Laura. They both waited in the hospital for Cila. Fortunately, the doctor was able to save both the mother and the child. Laura shed tears of joy and ran inside the ward to see both of them when the doctor informed her. It was a boy and Laura could already see that he had Ethan's eyes.

When Cila opened her eyes and saw Laura, she felt very guilty. Taking Laura's hand in hers, she said, "please come back home, Laura. I'm sorry for everything and I need my best friend to look after me" Laura hugged Cila and happily agreed to go back home. It made Ethan very happy and pleased with Cila. He also hugged her tightly and thanked her for being strong and birthing their child alive.

Ethan helped Laura move back into the house that same day. "It feels good to be back home," Laura said as she jumped on her big bed. Ethan happily joined her on the bed and they ended up making love before going back to be with Cila in the hospital. Laura took care of Cila, cooking her meals and bathing her in the hospital until she was discharged three days later.

In the weeks that followed, both Laura and Ethan devoted their time religiously to caring for Cila and their new baby. Things slowly returned to normal until Cila called for a family meeting, a month after she delivered.

They all sat down waiting for Cila to go ahead and say what she wanted to say. Cila opened a black bag and took out a few things for Ethan, saying, "These are the basic things you gave when you married me. I am returning them to you and putting an end to this marriage.

I had retrieved them from my people just before I went into labor as I planned to leave with my son immediately after giving birth. But now I realize how wrong I was. This child belongs to both of you. I have seen how much you love him and I know that he can never get a better family."

Turning to Laura, she said, "you are the best friend I ever had in this life and that will never change. I am sorry for every pain I ever caused you. Ethan is your husband and belongs only to you. I don't have any right here. I am leaving my son behind because I know you will be the best mother for him. He will become your son henceforth and I know for a fact that you will love him with all your heart"

"But where will you go?" Laura asked with tears in her eyes. "I got a job offer in another state and my flight leaves in two hours. I have already packed my bags and I know that it's best if you all don't know where I am. I will also change my number when I get there. That way it will be easier for me to move on. Thank you so much for everything Laura."

Cila kissed her son goodbye and handed him over to Laura. She hugged them tenderly and wept when her Uber driver arrived. Laura and Ethan stood outside and waved at Cila as the car drove off. Cila looked back at the both of them sadly, knowing that her heart will always be here and she will never be able to stop loving Ethan.