Chapter 2
Staring at the face that had been with me for six years, I felt nothing. No warmth, no affection, just emptiness.
All that was left was bitter sarcasm.
"Ariana," I said. "You really want me to sign this?"
Ariana's body stiffened.
She couldn't look me in the eye.
"Colton, I'll explain everything to you later," Ariana said.
"Explain what?" I interrupted her.
I didn't let her finish. "You want to explain how you ended up pregnant?"
The whole room froze.
Ariana went white as a sheet.
Her lips wouldn't stop shaking.
But she couldn't say a single word.
I pulled out my phone and opened up my notes app.
I had all the dates logged there.
"February 11th, started sleeping in separate rooms.
"February 27th, the first cold war. March 15th.
"April 3rd. May 21st. June 16th. July. August."
Every time I said another date, Ariana's face lost a bit more color.
Everyone in the room was starting to realize what was going on.
For half a year, we hadn't touched each other.
And now she was four months pregnant.
Even an idiot could put two and two together.
One of the nurses couldn't help but gasp.
Some of the other patients' families started whispering among themselves.
Tears streamed down Ariana's face.
"It's not like that," Ariana choked out. "Colton, please, just save me first. I'll tell you everything later."
Her whole body trembled as she cried.
She was a total mess, completely falling apart. Gone was the proud Ariana who always looked down on everyone.
Gone was the proud Ariana who always looked down on everyone.
But I felt nothing. Not a single ripple inside.
Just a month ago, I gave her one last chance.
That night, while she was showering, her phone was left out in the living room.
The screen lit up. A message popped up from a guy named Kennedy.
Just one short line. [I miss you.]
I stared at that message for a long time.
Then she snatched the phone away.
She said he was just a friend.
We had a big fight over it.
Looking back now, it all made sense.
Back in the hospital room, the doctor urged me again. "The patient's condition is critical. You need to decide right now."
I nodded.
Then I said, my voice calm and steady. "If it's not my kid, then have the real father sign the papers."
Ariana broke down completely.
She reached out, as if hoping to grab hold of something.
But her hands only grasped at empty air, finding nothing to hold onto. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
"Colton, please," Ariana sobbed. "Please."
I stood there, watching her. I didn't say a word.
I didn't say a word.
Just then, I glanced at the time on my phone.
Then, in a flat voice, I added, "Oh, right. Almost forgot to mention."
Ariana froze.
A cold smirk tugged at my lips. "Your mom's already on her way.
"She's been waiting for years to hold her grandchild.
"Looks like today, she finally gets her wish."
Ariana looked like she'd just been struck by lightning.
Her pupils contracted sharply, her eyes wide with terror.
Every last bit of color drained from her face.
"No." She shook her head frantically, panic etched across her face.
"Don't let her come," Ariana begged. Her voice was filled with a fear I'd never heard from her before.
Too bad. It was already too late.
The next second, hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
The hospital room door slammed open.
Gabriella rushed in, panting. She looked frantic.
She was still clutching her bag, not even having time to set it down.
"Ariana," Gabriella called out. "How's the baby? Is the baby okay?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the room fell silent.
Everyone turned to look at her. Nobody said a word.
Gabriella's smile slowly froze on her face.
The silence in the room was suffocating.
Gabriella froze in the doorway, her anxious face slowly morphing into shock.
Her gaze flicked over to me, then jumped to Ariana lying on the bed, and finally locked onto the report clutched in the doctor's hand.
"What's going on?" Gabriella asked.
No one answered.
Gabriella sensed something was wrong.
She hurried over to the bed. "Ariana, answer me. How's the baby?"
Ariana's lips were pale.
Tears kept streaming down her face. She never dared to look up.
Gabriella's panic finally kicked in.
For years, Ariana and Gabriella had been each other's lifeline.
Her husband had passed away early, leaving her to raise Ariana all by herself.
She knew Ariana's personality better than anyone.
The more guilty Ariana felt, the more she'd act like this.
"What's going on?" Gabriella asked, her voice quivering with fear.
The doctor cleared his throat. "The patient's condition is critical. We need the consent form signed immediately."
"Sign it," Gabriella snapped. Gabriella's desperation was starting to show. "Isn't Colton right here?"
The doctor instinctively glanced at me.
Gabriella followed his gaze, her brows furrowing in confusion.
"I can't sign it," I said, my voice steady.
"Why not?" Gabriella pressed.