Chapter 3

I didn’t know how much time had passed before I woke up in a hospital room.

The harsh white fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, and my lower abdomen felt as if a piece of my flesh had been violently carved out.

Seeing me stir, the nurse sighed. "You're finally awake. The gentleman who brought you here paid your bills and left. We found your phone in your bag and called your family. They should be here soon."

My heart trembled.

A moment later, familiar footsteps echoed outside the door.

It was my biological father, Arthur Miller.

"Dad..."

Seeing my own flesh and blood, a tiny spark of hope flickered in my chest.

Hearing my voice, Arthur’s eyes shifted nervously. He stood a few paces away from the bed, refusing to come closer.

"Chloe..."

He opened his mouth but said nothing else. Looking at his reaction, I instantly understood. He hadn't come to seek justice for my lost baby.

"You're just going to stand there and watch the Carters abuse me? Have you forgotten what Mom told you before she died?"

My eyes burned with tears as I stared at him.

He seemed stung for a second, but his expression quickly hardened. "I haven't forgotten your mother's words. But didn't you always want Ethan back? Now he's back. What more do you want?"

Hearing his ridiculous words, my body shook violently. My voice turned hoarse from anger and weakness.

"He was the one who said I would always be the only Mrs. Carter! Now he is parading Lily and her son around, and they forced me to miscarry! And you have the nerve to ask me what more I want?"

"Look at you. You're making a scene over nothing. You've completely embarrassed the Miller family."

Arthur pulled at his tie, clearly annoyed. "Lily is your sister. Ethan supporting her is beneficial for our business partnership. As Mrs. Carter, you should be generous enough to accept her. Do you have to ruin everything?"

Staring at my father's greedy, calculating face, my heart fell into an icy abyss.

To him, my life and the life of my unborn child were completely worthless compared to business deals.

"Get out," I pointed at the door, my voice cold and final. "Take your calculations and get the hell out!"

"You are completely unreasonable!" Arthur slammed the door and left.

In the empty hospital room, all my strength drained away. I curled up on the bed, letting the tears soak my pillow.

...

*Bang!*

The hospital room door was suddenly kicked open.

Ethan walked in, followed by Lily. She was holding a thermos, her eyes red.

"Chloe, what kind of tantrum are you throwing now? You even managed to chase your own father away!" Ethan's face was filled with disgust.

His instant accusation felt like sharp knives stabbing into my bleeding heart.

Lily walked forward cautiously, holding out the thermos. "Chloe, don't blame Ethan. I was worried about your health, so I made some homemade chicken soup for you..."

"Get lost!"

With the last bit of my strength, I whipped my arm out. *Crash!* The piping hot soup and the thermos shattered onto the tiled floor, sending hot liquid and broken ceramic flying everywhere.

"Ah!" Lily screamed, immediately diving into Ethan's arms, trembling.

Ethan snapped. He shoved her behind him, pointing a finger at my face, and roared:

"Chloe! How can you be so vicious? Lily came here out of the goodness of her heart, and instead of being grateful, you tried to burn her!"

"Goodness of her heart? She's a snake!" I glared at them. "Ethan, I lost my baby because of you two! You bring this murderer to parade your love in front of me, and you expect me to be grateful?"

"That was an accident! Stop pointing fingers!" Ethan’s face turned red with anger. "You are nothing but a hysterical madwoman! If you can't tolerate Lily, then you don't deserve to be Mrs. Carter. Sign the divorce papers and make room for her!"