Chapter 2

Felix kept his voice so low that I couldn't make out what he was saying.

But the look on Felix's face was so gentle. I'd never seen him like that before.

After about three minutes, he hung up and came back into the living room. "I've got something urgent to take care of. We'll finish this when I get back."

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. "Okay."

Felix gave me a quick nod, threw on his coat, and hurried out the door.

Even though I'd seen this coming from a mile away, it still hurt.

My son's voice popped into my head. "Mom, don't get all emo. You need to make a run for it before Dad finds out you're pregnant."

"Dad's not some psycho or anything, but if he doesn't want me to be born, he could totally force you to get an abortion," he added.

I instantly tensed up.

My son was right. Felix had no clue he was just the second male lead who could never win Yasmin's heart. Right now, he was probably racking his brain trying to win her over.

If he found out I was pregnant and ruined things for him, I'd be totally screwed.

I immediately started packing up my valuables and drove back to my hometown overnight.

Before I left, I sent Felix a breakup text: [Mr. Parker, I'm heading back to Caowland. Thanks for everything these years. Wishing you all the best.]

Felix didn't reply. He probably figured it wasn't worth responding.

I couldn't help feeling a little let down.

Honestly, I wasn't even mad that he didn't try to stop me. What really stung was that he didn't even think to give me a breakup bonus.

Yeah, he'd always been pretty generous, but no one ever complained about getting more money.

Honestly, there was no real reason I stuck with Felix. I'd been broke my whole life and couldn't resist his looks, so when he made the offer, I said yes without thinking twice.

Basically, I was just in it for the money and the eye candy.

I was not kidding myself about who I was.

From the day I started following Felix, I was always ready to leave, so I never splurged.

Three years ago, I bought myself a luxury apartment in the city center of my hometown. Two years ago, I added all the furniture and appliances.

After hiring a cleaner to get the place spotless, I moved in.

To really cut ties with my old life, I ditched my old SIM card and got a new one.

I knew Felix could track me down in a heartbeat if he wanted to.

But with him busy fighting Yann over Yasmin, I doubt he even remembers I exist.

Even though my son kept telling me he'd be born healthy, I still made sure to go to all my prenatal checkups, just in case.

The day of my big anatomy scan, I was about to hand my paperwork to the staff when I suddenly spotted Felix heading toward the ultrasound center.

I froze for a second, then quickly turned my back to him.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Whenever I got worked up, my son always picked up on it if he was awake.

I whispered, "I just spotted your dad."

"Mom, don't freak out. You've got a mask on. He's not gonna recognize you that easily. Just keep cool and leave like nothing happened," he said.

My son was right. Not only was I wearing a mask, but I'd also thrown on some casual clothes Felix had never seen me in. No way he'd recognize me that easily.

I took a deep breath to calm myself and made my way slowly toward the escalator.

Just as I was about to reach it, someone grabbed my arm and hauled me back hard.

I stumbled back, bracing myself against the wall, my body rigid with anxiety.

Felix leaned in, his tall frame looming over me, completely blocking out the light.

His presence was overwhelming.

"Where do you think you're going?" Felix teased from above, his voice dripping with amusement. "You really think a mask is gonna keep me from recognizing you?"

I felt like crying, but the tears just wouldn't come.

"Mom, don't freak out. Stay calm," my son said.

I gave him a nervous, awkward smile. "Wasn't trying to run. Just finished my checkup, heading home."

Felix looked me up and down, his gaze finally settling on the ultrasound form in my hand. His voice was hard to read as he asked, "You're not feeling well?"

I quickly hid the form behind my back. "It's nothing, just my period acting up."

"Is that so? Let me have a look," he said, reaching out to grab the form.

Just when I didn't know what to do, his assistant came over with a worried look. "Mr. Parker, Ms. Sloane has acute appendicitis. The doctor says she needs emergency surgery."

Felix paused for a split second, jaw clenched, then shot me a glare. "Add my contact back," he snapped, before rushing off after his assistant.

Once Felix was completely out of sight, I bolted from the hospital as my life depended on it.

On the way home, I asked my son, "Babe, why do you think your dad wants me to add him back on my contacts?"

"Beats me, Mom," he said.

"So, should I do it or not?" I said.

"Definitely add him. If you don't, he'll start snooping around, and then he'll find out you're pregnant for sure," my son said.

"Alright, then." I nodded.