Chapter 8 · The Bride Wasn't Me

Chapter 8

Ethan suddenly reached out and seized my wrist. "Olivia, talk to me."His grip was so strong it sent a sharp pain shooting through my wrist.I fixed my gaze on his hand. "Let go.""Are you..."He never finished.I met his eyes. "Mr. Pierce, your wife is standing right there."My words hit him like a slap in the face.Ethan let go of my wrist.Chloe rushed over and pulled him away. "She did it on purpose. She knew I was coming for my checkup today and showed up to make things difficult for me."I didn't say a word.Chloe glared at me. "Don't act like you're so pure. Ethan told me you two never even got married, so what gives you the right to act like you're the one who's been wronged?"I stopped in my tracks.People around us started staring.Ethan lowered his voice. "Chloe, stop making a scene.""Me? Making a scene?" Chloe shot back, pointing at me. "She's even followed us to the hospital, and you're still taking her side?"I hoisted my bag higher on my shoulder. "Ms. Quinn."Her chin was raised, acting like she owned the place."This isn't your private clinic. I don't owe you any explanation for being here," I said.Her face was bright red with rage as she lunged at me, trying to shove me.I stepped back, my back slamming into the wall, the icy tiles pressing against my spine.Ethan caught her wrist. "Enough."Chloe was stunned by his outburst, and tears started pouring down her cheeks.Ethan shot me a glance, then went over to calm her down. "That's not what I meant."While they were still arguing, I hurried off, making my escape.When I got to the stairwell, I leaned against the wall, pressing my hand to my stomach, my heart racing.If I'd actually been shoved just now, I couldn't even think about what might've happened.I sank down, my fingertips tingling.Don't be scared.Mommy will take you away.My phone buzzed, it was the doctor's assistant, reminding me to head back to the exam room.I wiped the sweat from my palms and went back to listen to the baby's heartbeat.The machine picked up the baby's heartbeat, quick, urgent thumps, thump-thump, thump-thump, beating through my body and straight into my ears.My eyes went misty in an instant.The doctor glanced at the screen. "The heartbeat's normal. Take it easy for now."I nodded and tucked the checkup slip away.When I left the hospital, Ethan was standing by the entrance. Chloe was nowhere to be seen.He had a cigarette between his fingers, unlit. As soon as he saw me, he tossed it away. "Liv."I didn't stop.He caught up to me. "Chloe was upset earlier. I apologize on her behalf."I didn't say a word.He pressed on, "Seriously, why are you at OB-GYN? If you need anything, I know some doctors here, I can help set things up for you."I stopped.Outside the hospital, traffic surged past, the blare of car horns almost drowning everything out.I looked at him.He used to know every little thing about me, how I'd get cramps every month, how I hated cilantro, how my hands would always be cold in winter.But he had no clue that, moments ago, his own child's heartbeat was thundering away on the monitor.And he never would.I asked, "Ethan, don't you feel dirty?"His face went pale."You finished taking your wife to the doctor, and now you're here asking about your ex-fiancée's health. You weigh everyone like you're choosing between us. Whoever cries the loudest is the one you run to." I went on."I'm not." He shot back."You are."I stepped away from his cigarette smell."Stop following me."His Adam's apple bobbed. "What if I said I regret it?"Those words came way too early, and they didn't mean a thing.They were flimsy, like wet paper, couldn't even touch my heart.I couldn't help but laugh. "You only realized Chloe cries, throws tantrums, and gives you headaches too."His lips parted, but no words came out."Ethan, that's not regret." I stared into his bloodshot eyes and said, word by word, "You're not used to not having someone pamper you anymore."I turned and headed for the subway entrance.He didn't follow.After that day, I moved out of Maya's place and rented a tiny studio near my office.The building was old, the stairs were cramped, and my window looked out at another wall.But I changed the lock myself, put fresh sheets on the bed, and kept my favorite yogurt in the fridge.At night, I sat at my little desk, working on my designs, and I could feel my belly starting to show.A company email popped up on my phone screen.The maternity dress collection had been approved, and it would be showcased at the Riverdale Women's Design Expo in three months.At the end of the email, my name was there as the project lead.Olivia Lane.I stared at my name for a long time, then placed my hand gently on my belly."Looks like we've finally found our path," I whispered.

Chapter 8