Nathaniel forcefully pulled his hand free of Melanie's grip and sighed. "Forget it, Mel. We both know we can't go back to the past. It's impossible to start over!" He lowered his eyes to her belly. "I think we should forget about this child."

Melanie was taken aback. She hadn't expected such resolute opposition. He had always liked children, and he had cared about their unborn child before. Now, he was suggesting abortion, a suggestion that signaled the end of their relationship.

She wouldn't let him be the one to end things. Even if a breakup was inevitable, she would initiate it. What right did he have? She had sacrificed so much for him, years of her youth. What right did he have to dictate the future of their relationship?

"Of course, but if you insist on keeping the child, I'll pay child support. However" Nathaniel paused, then looked up. "I don't think you'll want to. Do you want this baby?" His gaze made her tremble. Her eyes revealed guilt, unwillingness, and embarrassment.

"Nathaniel Hall, how can you be so heartless?"

"Mel, we've come a long way. I admit I'm partly to blame, but aren't you, too? Do you honestly think I don't know about what you did to Lily?" He held nothing back; they were already beyond repair. He hadn't been unaware before; he'd simply been biased, blinded by his feelings for Melanie. He'd tolerated everything, turning a blind eye. Now, calmer, he realized his mother was right: he had terrible taste in women. He only hoped he wasn't too late to fix things.

"At the end of the day, you regret all this, don't you? You regret choosing me and giving up Lily. Am I right?!" Melanie's accusation was laced with fury.

Nathaniel raised his head, his reply calm and firm. "Yes."

He didn't mince words: "I do regret it. I wronged Lily, and now I've wronged you. Mel, I can't give you what you want. We're both on different paths now. We should let each other go and pursue our dreams."

Doubt filled Melanie's eyes as she stared at him. "No, you weren't like this before. Who told you something? Is it Lily? Has she seen you?" She suspected Lily; otherwise, why would Nathaniel suddenly mention her?

Lily is sinister. She moved on to Frank, then seduced Nathaniel. She's trying to take Nate from me. She's trying to take everything! Nathaniel had no idea what she was thinking. "It's not her. Stop guessing."

The more he denied it, the more convinced Melanie became that Lily was at fault. Her beautiful face contorted with rage. "All right, Nathaniel! Since you're so ruthless, don't blame me for being unrighteous! But remember this: I'm breaking up with you. You can go be with Lily. Just wait! You'll regret it! Then you'll see who was the better choice!" She left.

Nathaniel breathed a sigh of relief as her footsteps faded. He felt a touch of reluctance, but the relief was stronger.

Would he regret this? Only time would tell. He did, however, regret giving up Lily.

The next time Lily visited the woodcarving shop, the young man was gone. Only the owner remained.