Chapter 4

The medication the doctor prescribed had severe side effects. These past two days I'd been lying in bed in a daze.

And Ethan Wade always had various reasons not to be home. I knew that on the days he didn't come home, he was with Sophia Reynolds.

The next time I saw him was two days later.

When he pushed the door open, I was hugging the trash can and dry heaving. All the medicine I'd just taken came back up. My stomach burned like fire.

He asked how I was.

I wiped my mouth and replied flatly: "I ate something too rich for dinner."

"You're so pretentious. You're pregnant and should be getting more nutrition. How can you not eat anything?" He sounded a bit impatient.

I laughed coldly inside but didn't bother explaining.

Then he handed me an exquisite outfit. "There's a charity gala tonight. Several partners will bring their spouses. Come with me."

I leaned weakly against the sofa: "I'm not feeling well. I can't go."

Ethan Wade's hand paused while unfastening his cufflinks. He turned to look at me.

"It wouldn't look good to be absent from this kind of occasion. I don't want people thinking there are problems within my family."

"Just tough it out. Make an appearance and that's it. You don't have to socialize."

I didn't argue further. Once he decided something, it never changed because of my suffering.

I took the clothes and walked into the bedroom.

After changing, Ethan Wade drove me to the reception.

At the venue, Ethan Wade appeared composed and distinguished.

He didn't deliberately show off our relationship, just had me hold his arm.

His cuff was ice cold, the stiff fabric pressing painfully against my palm, but I could only force a smile and cooperate with his performance.

When people came over to chat, he would introduce me appropriately: "This is my wife, Claire."

When someone offered a toast, he would naturally step aside:

"She's not in a condition to drink. I'll have this one for her."

His movements were smooth and flowing, his gentlemanly manner perfect.

The business partner across from us immediately joked with a laugh: "Ethan Wade really dotes on his wife. No wonder your career is developing so well."

Ethan Wade smiled faintly, his eyes full of satisfied control, taking a sip of wine: "Just doing my duty."

Everything looked so perfect.

After being seated, while talking quietly with the person next to him, he casually picked up a piece of fish and put it on my plate.

"Try this."

He did it so casually, as if this kind of consideration was a habit ingrained in his bones.

I looked at that piece of fish, my stomach cramping.

He had probably forgotten that since becoming pregnant, I couldn't stand even the slightest fishy smell. Every time I smelled it, it triggered severe morning sickness.

"Excuse me." I stood up abruptly, covering my mouth and rushing toward the restroom.

Behind me came a ripple of subtle commotion, but I couldn't care about that anymore.

In the stall, I dry heaved for a while until tears streamed down. Only then did that overwhelming feeling gradually subside.

I rinsed my mouth and splashed cold water on my face. Looking at my pale reflection in the mirror, I took a deep breath.

Walking out of the restroom, Ethan Wade was standing by a window in the corridor waiting for me.

He held a cigarette in his hand, his expression cold.

Seeing me come out, he looked me up and down from a few steps away.

"Are you composed now?"

He stubbed out his cigarette, his tone lacking concern and more filled with displeasure at having his rhythm disrupted.

"It's only been a moment and you can't even handle this kind of occasion? I don't want people thinking I can't even manage my own wife's emotions."

Finished speaking, he put on a smile again and extended his arm toward me.

"Let's go. We haven't greeted Mr. Anderson yet."

I looked at that outstretched arm, hesitated for two seconds, then took it.

The moment my fingertips touched him, my heart went completely cold.

By the time the gala ended, I was utterly exhausted. My lower abdomen ached faintly, as if something was draining away.

Ethan Wade had drunk quite a bit and was leaning back in the seat somewhat excited, completely oblivious to the cold sweat seeping from my forehead.

"Today Mr. Anderson even mentioned to me that once our child is born, the board will be more stable."

He closed his eyes, a smile on his lips, his hand unconsciously tapping on his knee. "When it's time, we'll throw a big birthday party for the child, right in tonight's hall."

I turned to look at the speeding night scenery outside the window, my hand pressing hard against my stomach.