Chapter 7
Caroline forced herself up with all the strength she had left, then staggered into the bedroom to scoop Chloe into her arms.
But the main door clicked shut and locked itself as Frederick left.
The thick smoke made her cough uncontrollably, and she couldn't stop thinking about Frederick's determined figure as he carried Kirsten away without looking back.
Caroline felt like a total joke.
Her vision blurred, and Caroline saw a little boy waving at her, calling out, "Mommy."
When Caroline finally woke up, the smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils.
She slowly opened her eyes and rubbed the space between her brows, trying to ease the ache.
Frederick, who had been sitting nearby, hurried over. "Caroline, you're awake."
Caroline's voice was raspy as she called out, "Chloe...?"
Frederick saw the worry etched on her face and couldn't help but feel moved. He pulled the blanket up around her shoulders.
"She's okay, I promise. Don't worry," he said gently.
"But..." Frederick started, but trailed off.
Caroline's alarm bells went off at his hesitation. She clamped onto his arm, her voice rising, "Did something happen to Chloe? I need to see her!"
Without waiting for an answer, she reached to yank out the IV from her hand.
Kirsten, clearly annoyed, shoved the report right in Caroline's face and let out a cold snort.
"Here, read it yourself," she said, her tone icy.
Caroline's face went from pale to ashen as she stared at the report.
She was pregnant, two months along.
Counting back, it must've happened about a month before Kirsten decided to return home.
Frederick had been wasted, and during sex, he kept calling out Kirsten's name.
He said he finally had his chance.
He said he'd treat her right.
He said he'd always be good to her.
He poured out his heart with every word, but not once did he mention Caroline.
"Caroline... this child..." Frederick hesitated.
"I'm getting rid of it," Caroline interrupted, her voice icy and unyielding.
At those words, Kirsten finally cracked a smile, but it quickly froze on her face.
"No! That's not what I meant!" Frederick blurted out, sounding desperate.
"Let's keep the baby," he said, his voice steady.
It wasn't just Kirsten who was surprised. Even Caroline was taken aback.
Caroline had gotten pregnant once before Chloe came along.
She was two months along when she found out.
Right after she found out, Frederick vanished, saying he had to go on a business trip.
By the time he finally came back, five months had already passed.
When Frederick finally came back, he didn't even ask if the baby was okay.
Instead, he flat-out told her to get rid of it and said he didn't want to be a father.
By then, she was seven months pregnant, and Caroline could feel the baby moving inside her every day.
That turned into the biggest fight she and Frederick ever had.
But in the end, she finally caved and went through with the procedure, just like he wanted.
As she stepped off the operating table, her phone lit up with a group photo from Kirsten. Frederick was right there beside her, smiling like nothing had happened.
It was in that moment that Caroline finally understood. Frederick wasn't afraid of being a dad. He just couldn't stand the thought of being the father to her child.
"You can't have this baby!" Kirsten shouted.
Frederick's brows drew together at her outburst.
For some reason, a flicker of resentment toward Kirsten stirred inside him.
Kirsten caught herself, tugging at the corner of her mouth and forcing a sheepish grin.
"I just mean... Chloe's still so little," she said, trying to sound casual.
"If Caroline has another baby now, I'm worried she won't be able to manage," Kirsten added, her voice softening.
Frederick's frown finally relaxed. "Don't worry. I'll personally look after both of them."
Caroline looked at his so-called "loving" face and felt like she'd just swallowed a fly.
His affection came too late. She couldn't care less anymore.
Frederick's phone rang, and he got up to step out of the room.
Kirsten didn't care about her dignity anymore. She swung her hand and slapped Caroline hard across the face.
"You bitch!" Kirsten screamed.
She dug into her bag and pulled out the divorce papers.
"Only I get to be Mrs. James!" Kirsten yelled, her voice trembling with fury.
When Caroline saw the words printed on the divorce papers, a flicker of light finally returned to her eyes.
"When did I ever say I wanted to take the title of Mrs. James from you?" she shot back, her voice cold.
For the past few days, Frederick had barely left Caroline's side.
Every time she asked to see Chloe, Frederick always came up with some excuse, guilt written all over his face as he refused her.
In the end, it was Kirsten who brought Chloe over.
When Caroline saw Chloe's adorable little face all dolled up, she couldn't help but burst into happy tears.
"Chloe, in a few days, I will take you with her," she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion.
Just as Caroline reached out to take Chloe's hand, Chloe pulled her hand back, refusing to let her touch.
"I don't want to go with you! I want to be with Kirsten!" Chloe shouted, her voice stubborn and loud.
"I wish Kirsten were my mommy! She gets me ice cream and buys me new clothes!" Chloe cried, her eyes sparkling.
"You just make me live in a small house and wear old clothes. I don't want to go with you!" Chloe yelled, her voice shaking with anger.
Caroline just stood there, stunned by Chloe's words.
Caroline truly believed she'd given Chloe everything she possibly could.
Even though Chloe wasn't her own flesh and blood, Caroline never once held back or treated her unfairly.
Frederick only gave her three thousand a month to live on, but Caroline pinched every penny to buy Chloe the best formula and toys.
Frederick didn't want Chloe to go to an elite preschool, but Caroline pleaded with everyone she knew, determined to get Chloe the best education she could.