Chapter 2

James frowned, clearly thinking I'd gone crazy. "Don't be ridiculous."

"You're being ridiculous!" I wiped away my tears, turned around, and walked into the bedroom, beginning to pack my clothes into the suitcase.

Olivia leaned against the doorframe, watching me with a smirk. "That's a smart move. You better leave now. If you make a scene, you'll be the one who ends up embarrassed."

I ignored her, but while I was gathering my clothes, I realized the gold bracelet James had given me was gone from the nightstand.

I rummaged through the whole drawer, but it was nowhere to be found.

When I turned around, Olivia was putting the bracelet on her wrist. "This looks good. It matches me perfectly."

I rushed over to snatch it back, but she shoved me hard. "What? Just because you're pregnant, you think you can do whatever you want now?" Olivia sneered.

My back slammed into the doorframe, pain stabbing through my belly, and I crumpled to the floor.

James finally walked over. I thought he'd help me up, but he didn't even look at me. He just pulled Olivia aside. "Leave her alone."

Olivia snatched her hand back, putting on a pitiful face. "It's not like I did it on purpose."

He sighed and looked back at me, his eyes distant, as if I was nothing more than a stranger.

"Emily, can you calm down? I can't stand you like this anymore," he said.

I let out a dry laugh. "You think I'm annoying?"

He didn't say a word, but his eyes said it all.

Using one hand to steady myself on the floor and the other to protect my belly, I slowly got to my feet. And then I picked up my suitcase, the zipper still open.

"I'm leaving," I said, looking straight at James. "I'll be just fine on my own. Don't come crawling back to me later."

James remained silent.

I stopped in my tracks at the doorway.

I looked around at the home we'd put together piece by piece, hoping one day our kid would learn to walk here.

The couch was still covered with the cushions I'd washed, and the dining table held the oatmeal I'd just made.

I stood there for a minute.

I was waiting for James to say something, even if it was just a whisper.

But he didn't say a word.

It wasn't until I was dragging my suitcase to the door that he finally spoke, his voice cold. "Don't forget what you said. You're the one who didn't want this baby."

I stopped in my tracks.

I couldn't believe the so-called perfect boyfriend I'd been with for two years would actually say something so cold.

Alright then.

I clenched my jaw and slammed the door behind me.

Outside, rain was coming down in a steady drizzle, and a fresh wave of pain twisted through my belly.

I waved down a taxi, clutching my coat tighter, but I couldn't stop trembling.

The driver took one look at my pale face and asked, "Hey, are you okay?"

I shook my head. "Get me to the nearest hospital, please."

After the doctor finished the exam, she handed me the paperwork. "Your condition isn't stable. You'll need to stay here for a few days under observation. You need a family member to sign these forms."

I froze for a second. "Can't I sign them myself?"

The doctor frowned, glancing at me. "Your records say you're single and haven't had kids, but you're two months pregnant, and there are obvious bruises on your abdomen. Do you have any family here?"

"No..." I murmured.

I sat in the hospital waiting area, zoning out as I stared at the medical report in my hands.

The family member section on the form was still blank.

I clutched my phone, the screen glowing in my palm.

After hesitating for ages, I finally dialed James's number.

I waited for him to pick up the phone.

'When the call finally connected, I actually felt a wave of relief.

But it wasn't James picking up the phone.

Olivia picked up, her voice dripping with smugness. "Quit calling already. James is busy taking me to my prenatal checkup. He doesn't have time for you."

I froze, and the sound of a baby crying drifted down the hallway, piercing right through me.

It was like being slapped right across the face.

A man walked by, gently supporting his wife as they headed into a hospital room, happiness written all over them. Meanwhile, I didn't even have anyone to sign my forms.

I hung up, ripped the test results in half, and threw them in the trash.