Chapter 4

Dan hung up first.

He scoffed, "Fine, throw your fit if you want."

The dial tone echoed like a drumbeat in my chest.

For the twelve-hour return flight, I didn't sleep a wink.

Only when I lay on the operating table, and the anesthetic coursed through my veins, did I find release from the relentless pain.

The day I found out I was pregnant, I was overjoyed.

I thought this would be a new beginning for our little family, Dan's and mine.

Just a few more months, and the baby would have been born.

Happiness was within reach.

But now, everything was lost.

After a day of rest, I received another SnapChat from Dan.

"I'm back. Family dinner tonight, don't give my parents attitude."

"Ellie Miller, you're not a little girl anymore. There's a time and a place for tantrums."

I replied, agreeing to attend.

When I had composed myself and arrived at the Thompson family home, both our families were already there.

Dan sat next to me.

He looked at my averted face, his voice resigned.

"Are you still mad?"

He pulled out a necklace and placed it in my hand.

"It's my fault, okay?"

"An apology gift for you. Smile for me, hmm?"

My palm was icy cold.

Just yesterday, before I went into surgery, Serena had posted an Ins update.

On a messy bed, gifts were scattered everywhere.

She unwrapped them one by one: a limited-edition alligator skin bag, custom-made luxury perfume, a diamond-encrusted bracelet...

Only this gold necklace, she sniffed, wrinkling her nose, "It's so dated, I don't want it."

The person filming laughed dotingly, "It's my birthday, and you're receiving gifts, and you still complain? Should I just throw it away?"

I loosened my grip, letting the necklace fall to the floor.

Dan frowned. "What more do you want from me? Take it or leave it."

Mrs. Thompson smiled kindly, trying to ease the tension.

"I heard you went all the way to London for Dan's birthday, but he didn't spend time with you because of work. That was wrong of him."

My mom chimed in, trying to smooth things over.

"Ellie, you're going to be a mother soon, you can't be throwing tantrums, it's not good for your health."

"Going to be... a mother?" Dan froze, turning to me in disbelief.

"Ellie, you're pregnant?!"

He shot up, a smile he couldn't control spreading across his face.

"I'm going to be a dad, aren't I?!"

The coldness in his eyes melted, replaced by undeniable excitement.

I didn't avert my gaze, seeing every flicker of emotion clearly.

But this time, was it real, or fake?

I couldn't tell anymore.

And I didn't care.

Both sets of parents chuckled.

"Look at this silly boy."

I spoke softly, "No."

"That baby, I aborted it."

The atmosphere froze.

Dan's excitement solidified on his face.

His eyes darted around for a few seconds, then he forced a laugh. "Ellie, don't joke around."

I didn't reply. I pulled the pre-prepared divorce papers from my bag.

Then I gave a faint smile. "Dan, I've seen Serena. If we don't divorce, do you expect her to be a mistress forever?"