Chapter 4

Edward paused, his expression barely changing. "Who told you that?"

"Does it matter?" I replied.

He reached out and closed the study door, the electronic lock clicking softly.

That sound felt like it shut away all his old memories.

"Lydia, people are drawn to similarities, but that doesn't mean everything that came after was fake," Edward said, his voice steady, almost soothing. "You're pregnant now. It's not good for you to keep dwelling on this."

I nodded. "So it's true."

Edward's brows furrowed. "I didn't say that."

His phone lit up again.

He glanced at it, and his expression shifted slightly.

Charlotte sent a voice message, her voice spilling out from the phone. "Eddie, I'm downstairs at your office, but it looks like there are reporters here, too. Do they know I'm back?"

Edward immediately grabbed his coat.

I asked softly, "Do you remember the prenatal checkup today?"

He stopped mid-motion.

I handed him the appointment slip.

He looked at it for a couple of seconds, like it finally registered. His tone softened. "I'll have the driver go with you. Charlotte can't be seen by the media right now. That whole thing with her breaking off the engagement was a huge scandal."

"This is the baby's first official prenatal checkup," I said.

"I know," he said, handing the slip back to me. "It's a routine checkup. Charlotte's situation is complicated right now. Once I sort things out, I'll come to you."

I folded the slip. "That's not necessary."

He looked up. "Don't be like that."

"I'm not," I said.

Edward stared at me for a few seconds, as if he was checking whether I'd break down or reach out for him. I didn't.

Edward's annoyance deepened, and he fastened his cufflinks a bit more quickly. "Lydia, this really isn't like you."

After the door closed, I went to the hospital alone.

The waiting area was packed with couples.

Some husbands were helping their wives twist open water bottles, some were holding up test results to the light, and one young guy was awkwardly asking the nurse if his baby could hear him talking, though it was still so tiny.

I rested my hand on my belly, and my name popped up on the screen.

After the checkup, the doctor frowned at the report. "Your progesterone levels are low, and there are signs you might be at risk for miscarriage. You need to take it easy and keep your emotions steady. Is your husband here?"

I held the report and said softly, "He's busy."

The doctor glanced at me, then slipped me a note for hospital observation. "Go pay the bill first. If anything comes up, call someone right away."

As I walked up to the payment window, my phone rang.

It was Edward.

I answered, and the first thing I heard was Charlotte's sobs.

Edward's voice was low. "Are you done with the checkup?"

"The doctor suggested I stay for observation," I said.

There was a brief silence on the other end.

Charlotte's voice trembled as she cried, "Eddie, I really didn't know those reporters would ask about why I left back then. Please don't be mad at me."

Edward didn't hesitate. "I'll send the driver to pick you up. Go home and get some rest, and don't overthink things."

I asked softly, "Are you coming?"

He sounded frustrated now, his tone turning cold. "Lydia, don't use the baby to guilt me. Doctors are always telling people to stay for observation. Just listen to them. I'll come by tonight."

Before the call ended, I heard him say to Charlotte, "It's okay. I'm here."

I stared at the darkened screen, then slipped the hospital slip into my bag.

The nurse reminded me, "Please sign here as the family."

I gripped the pen and signed my name.

I wrote it out, not stopping for a second.

Even by evening, Edward still hadn't come.

It was Jane and Charlotte who showed up instead.

Charlotte had a mask on, her eyes red from crying as she was holding a bunch of gardenias. "Lydia, I heard from Eddie that you were in the hospital, so I came to see how you were doing."

Jane set the thermos down by the bed, sounding annoyed. "You're just pregnant, not sick, and you still managed to land yourself in the hospital? Eddie's swamped at work, and now he's got to run back and forth because of you."

I glanced at the bouquet. "Sorry, but the hospital doesn't allow flowers with strong scents."

Charlotte paused, a bit stunned. "Sorry, I didn't know."

Jane frowned. "She's being nice, and you're nitpicking again."

The hospital room door was pushed open.

Edward finally showed up.

He checked on Charlotte first, making sure she was alright, then turned to me. "Where's the report?"

I handed it to him.

He flipped through a couple of pages, his expression darkening a bit. "Did the doctor say it's serious?"

Before I could say anything, Charlotte suddenly touched her forehead.

Edward immediately reached out to steady her. "What's wrong?"

"Maybe the flowers are making it stuffy in here," Charlotte said softly. "I'll step outside for some air."

Edward helped her out of the room.

I sat on the hospital bed, with the IV still taped to my hand, and suddenly called out, "Edward."

He stopped.

I asked, "If you had to choose between me and her right now, who would you pick?"

Jane immediately lashed out, "Lydia, are you out of your mind?"

Edward turned back to look at me; the concern in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a look of disappointment.

Edward said, "Don't say things like that in the hospital room."

He kept his arm around Charlotte, his voice so calm that it was almost cold. "You're pregnant, and the doctors will look after you. But she's different."

The door shut behind them again.

The bouquet of gardenias by the bed swayed gently in the breeze.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the copy of the documents in the folder.

The written words lay stark against the sheets.

'I'm so replaceable,' I thought.

From the hallway, Edward's voice came through the door. "Charlotte, once she's calmed down, I'll talk to her about the divorce. I'll take care of the baby, too."

My finger hovered over the signature line.

The doctor pushed the door open. "Lydia, right? The family hasn't signed the consent form for keeping the baby yet. If anything changes, we need to act fast..."