Chapter 4

Victor took me home and told the housekeeper to make me some plain food.

He gently stroked my hair and said, "Your stomach isn't great right now. Rest up for a few days."

I nodded and asked, "What about our anniversary tomorrow?"

"Will you come back and celebrate with me tomorrow?" I added.

He leaned down and kissed my forehead. "Honey, I know our anniversary is important, but I might have a project meeting tomorrow that'll run late. How about I make it up to you another day?"

I looked into his eyes and asked, "Is that meeting really more important than I am?"

Victor paused, then let out a soft laugh. "Bridget, you're the most important person in my life. But I have to work to support our family, right? I need to make money so I can take good care of you and our future baby."

I stared at his gentle smile. Who would have guessed there was not a single honest word behind that face?

"Fine." I really couldn't stand to hear any more of his empty talk. "I get it. Do what you have to do."

He gave a satisfied nod, and as he reached the door, he couldn't help but remind me, "Baby, remember to take your vitamins every day. They're good for your health."

I fought back my tears, nodded, and quietly pulled out my phone to schedule an appointment with the OB-GYN for tomorrow.

Lying on that freezing operating table, everything felt unreal, like I was trapped in a nightmare.

Fully conscious, I felt the tiny embryo being removed from my body, and it was as if every shred of love I had for Victor was torn away along with it.

I guess it was time to end this whole marriage farce.

After the procedure, the nurse patiently explained all the aftercare instructions to me. I forced a smile and nodded through it all.

Seeing how pale I was, she finally frowned. "Did you come here alone? Where's your husband? Doesn't he care about you at all?"

I managed a weak, pale smile. "We're getting divorced."

The nurse's eyes immediately softened with sympathy.

The OB-GYN clinics were all in the same area. As soon as I walked out, I bumped right into Sabrina and Lucas.

They were clearly there for a prenatal check-up.

So she's pregnant too.

I kept my head down, hoping to slip past them, but of course Lucas noticed me.

I had no idea what was going through his head, but he left Sabrina behind and came straight toward me.

It had been a year since I last saw him, and he looked so worn out. His face was drawn, and there were deep lines of exhaustion etched around his eyes.

He stepped right in front of me, staring at my stomach. "Are you pregnant?"

He looked at me, like I'd betrayed him.

I pressed my lips together and said quietly, "That's none of your business."

With that, I tried to walk past him.

But out of nowhere, he grabbed my wrist.

"Bridget, are you still mad at me? I was just trying to get a reaction from you that day," Lucas said.

I jerked my hand away like I'd touched a hot stove. "Mr. Grant, keep your hands to yourself."

He still didn't back off. "Bridget, I didn't realize how much you meant to me until you were gone. Please, just let me explain."

Was he for real? This was almost funny.

"Explain? Save it. We're both married now, so stop bothering me," I said, my voice icy.