Chapter 3
Holding his phone, he bent over and walked back.
I hesitated for a while, but ended up following him anyway.
As soon as he picked up the call, Ethan's voice softened.
He said, "Luna, what's wrong with you? Is your tummy hurting? Did you eat something bad?
"How about letting your mom take you to see the doctor?
"I'll go back to the hospital tomorrow. Be a good girl and listen to your mom, okay?
"When I return, I'll bring you a little gift."
Ethan had always adored kids, which was why he became a pediatrician.
We'd spent countless nights curled up in bed, dreaming about our future.
He said before, "I like a daughter, honey. Will you give me a little girl, just as cute as you?"
Ethan proposed to me a month ago.
Our families had agreed that we'd get engaged after Christmas Day.
If all went well, maybe next year we'd have a kid of our own.
I kept repeating in my mind that Ethan would never do anything to hurt me and not ruin our beautiful future.
After a period of time, Ethan started heading out early and returning late.
I hadn't woken up when he left in the morning, and by the time he returned, I was already fast asleep.
We lived in the same house, but somehow, days would go by before we even caught a glimpse of each other.
Ethan said Luna's surgery was very complicated, and it needed to be done as soon as possible.
I felt bad for her. She was only four, and she had to go through such a big surgery, and she would face huge risks.
I heard she liked dolls, so I brought her a set of the newest dolls from my company, the kind that could actually talk back a little, just to cheer her up.
When I got to the door of the ward, I found the door was open.
Chloe sat at the bedside and touched Luna's head gently.
She asked, "Luna, do you like Ethan?"
Luna replied happily, "I like!"
Chloe smiled, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you want him to be your daddy?"
"Yes!" Luna said as she nodded her head so fast.
Chloe said, "You have to be on your best behavior so Ethan will like you. Maybe then Ethan could be your daddy..."
I snapped, "What are you telling her?"
Next thing I knew, I'd already rushed into the ward, my chest pounding with anger.
Luna looked at me and suddenly burst into tears.
Chloe rushed to pick her up, soothing her as best she could.
At this time, Ethan walked in and asked in confusion, "What happened?"
Chloe hugged Luna tightly and apologized to me with red eyes, "Nora, I'm really sorry.
"I know you're angry that Ethan's been spending so much time with us recently, but your yelling scared Luna. You know her heart is not good..."
Ethan stared at me, then instinctively stood protectively in front of Chloe.
His gaze was dark and unreadable, his voice calm and steady.
He asked, "Nora, why did you yell at Luna?"
I hurried to explain, "I didn't yell at Luna. It was Chloe who was talking nonsense to Luna. She's going to mess Luna up..."
Chloe's eyes filled with tears suddenly.
She sobbed, "It's all my fault!
"I just want to make Luna happy!"
Ethan stared at me, disappointment written all over his face.
He snapped, "Nora, I've told you that I'm just being a friend to Chloe and Luna. Why are you still making trouble?
"Do you know what you look like now?
"You are like a completely unreasonable shrew!"
His eyes turned icy as he looked at me.
Ethan had never said a harsh word to me in these years. He always looked at me with a gentle smile.
But now, in only a few days, he'd changed a lot.
I bit my lip hard, the taste of blood filling my mouth.
The bag of dolls dropped from my hand onto the ground. I turned and left, not looking back.
I'd barely made it a few steps down the hallway when a stabbing pain twisted through my stomach, and I fell to the ground in an instant.
My face turned pale as a ghost, and a passing nurse jumped in surprise. She quickly helped me to a nearby bench to rest.
After asking me some questions, her face suddenly shifted, looking a bit odd.
She suggested, "Have you considered seeing the OB-GYN?"
When the doctor said I was seven weeks pregnant, I was completely stunned.
No wonder I'd been having those occasional stomach cramps, and my period had been delayed.
If I had gotten this news not long ago, I would have been joyful.
Ethan liked kids. He would've been over the moon about the baby.
But remembering his bad attitude towards me lately, my heart dropped.
In the evening, Ethan actually got home early for once.
He looked exhausted, but he still dropped to one knee in front of me, apologizing for what he had said and done during the day.
He said, "Honey, don't think too much. I swear, I don't have any feelings for her anymore. I just want to cure Luna."
My heart softened, and I placed my hand on my abdomen. I was about to tell him that I was pregnant.
But suddenly, Ethan got a call and had to leave.
"Luna is suddenly throwing up and has diarrhea. I'm heading to the hospital!" he said, already rushing out the door.