Chapter 4

I calmly took off the gorgeous wedding dress and hung it back up, exactly where it had been.

Then, I pulled out my suitcase and packed every single thing I owned.

Just as I was zipping it shut, Ethan called.

"Amber has a fever. I have to stay and take care of her. Tomorrow's wedding... let's postpone it. Otherwise, Amber won't be able to make it."

I didn't yell. I didn't scream. I just said, "Okay."

There was a pause on the other line, sounding confused. "You're not mad this time?"

I placed my house key on the coffee table. My voice was dead calm.

"There's nothing to be mad about."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Great. Don't get upset if you see some videos online. I promise I'll give you an unforgettable wedding next month to make up for it."

After we hung up, I went online and found the video he was talking about.

It was the footage from the "kidnapping."

In the sauna, I was heat-stroked and vomiting bile.

They tore my dress, while a voice actor whispered disgusting lines in my ear.

The cleaning lady's rough hand was on my thigh, pretending to be a man's.

I was having a breakdown, kneeling and begging on the floor.

And there was Ethan, holding Amber's shoulder, sipping champagne as they watched.

Halfway through the video, I ran to the bathroom and threw up my entire dinner.

Ignoring my aching body, I dragged my suitcase out into the night.

I had just hailed a cab when a sharp, stabbing pain in my abdomen made the world spin.

When I woke up, I was lying in a hospital bed.

The doctor looked at me with a sympathetic sigh.

"I'm so sorry, but you were seven weeks pregnant. We couldn't save the baby."

I stared blankly at the IV drip, unable to shed a single tear.

The good Samaritan who had brought me in had used my phone to call Ethan.

Soon, Ethan and Amber appeared in the ER.

Ethan looked incredibly annoyed. "Chloe, I actually believed you were going to behave tonight. It's the middle of the night, and Amber has a fever, yet she insisted on coming to see you. What is it this time?"

My hand rested on my empty stomach. "Ethan, our..."

Amber looked pale, leaning heavily against Ethan.

"Chloe! There's a terrible flu going around. Look at how crowded the ER is. People are literally waiting in the hallways for a bed. It's not right for you to occupy a bed when you're perfectly fine."

"I know you're mad that Ethan was with me. Cough, cough. But I didn't want to get sick. It's all my fault..."

The ER was indeed packed, and patients were starting to look over at us with angry glares.

"What is wrong with her? Take your domestic drama home! We're actually sick here!"

"She looks so young, how can she be so selfish?"

"If you can't keep your man, don't take it out on hospital patients. Get out!"

Ethan quickly apologized to the crowd.

"I'm so sorry, everyone. My fiancé is just being immature. I'll take her home right now and free up the bed."

He grabbed my arm and ripped the IV needle straight out of my skin.

As blood welled up on the back of my hand, I actually felt relieved.

Relieved that my baby would never have to open its eyes to this world.

Otherwise, they would grow up and blame me for choosing such a monster of a father.

Outside the hospital, Ethan shoved me into his car.

"Chloe, Amber's thesis deadline is tomorrow, and there are still a few shots missing. You need to come back to the estate and do a quick interview video."

The car doors clicked, locking me in. I banged on the window. "No! I'm not doing it! Let me out!"

Amber wiped a tear. "If Chloe doesn't want to, let's not force her. It's fine if I fail. The worst that happens is I don't graduate..."

Ethan unlocked the doors, his voice cold as ice.

"Fine, Chloe. You can leave."

"But don't expect me to introduce the heart surgeon for your grandmother anymore."