Chapter 4

Chloe was afraid something had happened to the baby and insisted on going to the hospital for a checkup.

Chloe's mother insisted I apologize.

Ethan was caught in the middle, looking at my already swollen face.

In the end, he still had to choose the childhood friend he couldn't let go of.

"Joanna, I'll take Chloe to the hospital first."

"Mom's back from abroad. When I get back, I'll take you to her place."

"I promised Chloe. You need to understand—I don't want to be someone who breaks his word."

Looking at this man who had shared my bed for three years, speaking of promises to someone else.

He had long forgotten that when he married me, he also said he would love me forever.

And every single thing he had solemnly promised me.

Things he could have done, things he had done halfway and then abandoned.

After Chloe came back, he hadn't kept any of them.

I put away the desolation in my heart, just wanting to end this farce quickly.

"Joanna, I do love you."

Seeing my expressionless face, Ethan added urgently:

"No matter what you've done to wrong me, my love for you has never changed."

Hearing his words, I found them truly laughable.

"What have I done to wrong you?" I moved closer and asked him softly, "Has Mr. Shaw told so many lies that he's forgotten whose belly his child is really in?"

Ethan froze, then remembering Chloe's family was still there, was about to question me.

But I waved my hand, cutting him off.

"Don't worry, I'm leaving right now. I won't disturb your family reunion."

Hearing that Ethan was sending me away, Chloe's stomach suddenly didn't hurt anymore.

She didn't insist on going to the hospital either.

She even 'warmly' urged Ethan to help me pack.

I sneered and pointed toward the bedroom.

"My luggage is already packed. Just bring it down and I can leave now."

Ethan looked at me in shock.

But I had already put on my coat and walked outside. "I was planning to stay at Mom's for a few days anyway."

He breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly ran upstairs to bring down my luggage, even thoughtfully calling a car for me.

Because I knew his car was already filled with Chloe's personal belongings.

There was no room for me.

I sat in the taxi, watching the villa where I'd lived for three years grow farther and farther away.

I felt no attachment.

The car was quiet. I closed my eyes, feeling utterly exhausted.

I seemed to have had a very long dream.

Long enough that I relived the first half of my life.

Loving him took up a third of my life.

Seeing him clearly took me only three months.

Once I saw clearly, I stopped loving.

The car slowly stopped in front of his mother's house.

When I pushed open the car door to get out, my slightly swollen belly and heavy coat made my movements somewhat clumsy.

Ethan sent a message:

"Joanna, wait for me a few more months. I'll definitely come for you."

"Once Chloe's matter is resolved, I'll clear your name and our child's."

"Then our family of three will never be separated again."

Looking at his solemn assurance, I smiled and didn't reply.

I pulled my suitcase and walked toward his mother's house.

No more disappointment and compromise.

Only relief.

Goodbye, Ethan Shaw.

This is the last time we'll see each other.

From now on, you and I have nothing to do with each other.

The next day, crossing the street, I was hit by a car running a red light.

Sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen. I could feel blood flowing from below.

As they lifted me into the ambulance, I knew that as soon as I closed my eyes and opened them again, this child would leave me forever.

That was fine. This way, I would never have any blood connection to that scumbag for the rest of my life.

In the hospital operating room, as consciousness gradually faded, I slowly closed my eyes.

Tears still couldn't help but fall.

At the same time, Ethan, who was about to board a plane, suddenly received a phone call.

It was from a friend.

"Ethan, congratulations! You can finally get rid of that burden at home."

Ethan's expression shifted, and he frowned. "What do you mean?"

His friend was stunned, clearly not expecting him to ask.

"You don't know? I just saw Joanna at the hospital."

"She was in a car accident and miscarried. She's already in the operating room."

Ethan's whole body went cold, as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him from head to toe.

He hung up the phone with trembling hands.

Without time to think, he left Chloe, who was still urging him to board, and ran madly toward the airport exit.