Chapter 5

After moving out, I couldn't find a permanent apartment right away, so I checked into a hotel close to the hospital for my follow-up checkups.

Right after registering at the clinic, I ran straight into Amber.

Seeing me, she jogged over with a sweet, mocking smile. "Oh, Chloe! Are you here alone? Why isn't Ethan with you?"

I stared at her coldly. I knew she was just trying to rub it in, so I ignored her and walked past.

But Amber wouldn't let me go. She followed me closely, and when she got bored of my silence, she stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

"Oh, silly me, I almost forgot!" she giggled, tapping her forehead. "Ethan is actually here at the hospital with *me*. How could he be with you?"

"I was feeling a little under the weather today—just a mild headache and a tiny cold. I told him it was no big deal, but he insisted on taking me to the clinic. He’s so overprotective of me."

She was practically glowing with smugness. I raised my eyes and asked flatly, "Are you done?"

"Are you mad, Chloe?"

Amber stared at my belly, then slowly reached out, placing her hand on my stomach. "You shouldn't get so worked up. If you accidentally lose the baby because of your temper, Ethan will hate you even more."

A sharp pang of grief hit my chest. I violently slapped her hand away.

Amber let out a dramatic cry and fell to the floor. And of course, right on cue, Ethan appeared.

"Chloe! What the hell are you doing?!" he roared.

Ethan rushed over, bending down to help Amber up. Amber clung to him, her eyes red and tearful, looking like a helpless victim. "Ethan, don't blame her... I'm sure Chloe didn't mean to push me."

"Say no more," Ethan comforted her gently, wrapping his arm around her. "I saw everything. I won't let her bully you."

Watching them play the loving couple right in front of me made my stomach churn with disgust.

"Chloe, what is wrong with you?" Ethan glared at me. "First you run away from home, and now you’re stalking me? Are you playing hard to get to make me apologize?"

"You’re about to be a mother, yet you’re acting so malicious! If I hadn't arrived in time, would you have done something worse to Amber?"

"I am truly disappointed that my child has such a jealous, spiteful mother!"

I clenched my fists so hard my nails nearly drew blood.

Disappointed in a mother like me?

How laughably ironic!

My baby was already gone.

And Ethan still thought I was just jealous of Amber.

"Stalking you? What makes you think you’re worth stalking?"

"If I see two dogs barking on the street, I walk the other way. Why would I willingly step in dog crap?"

"You—!"

I didn't care what else Ethan had to say. I turned to walk away.

But after only two steps, Ethan grabbed my wrist tightly. "Did I say you could leave?"

"Apologize to Amber. Right now."

Me? Apologize to Amber?

In his dreams!

I barely used any force when I brushed her hand off my stomach earlier. She had staged that fall completely for his benefit.

Since she loved playing the victim so much, I decided to give her a real reason to cry.

I marched right up to Amber and shoved her to the ground with all my strength.

"You probably couldn't see clearly from over there, Ethan. Now look closely. *This* is what a real push looks like."

Ethan froze in absolute shock. When he finally snapped out of it, a loud *slap* echoed through the corridor.

He hit me right across the face.

My body was still incredibly weak from the miscarriage, and Ethan had used his full strength.

I stumbled backward, trying to grab the wall for support, but my legs gave out. I collapsed heavily onto the cold floor.

Immediately, a dark red stain began to spread across my sweatpants.

Ethan stared at the blood pooling underneath me, his face turning pale. He panicked and screamed, "Doctor! Doctor! Someone help! My pregnant wife is bleeding!"

Within seconds, a team of doctors and nurses rushed over. "Save the baby! Please save my baby!" Ethan cried out.

The lead doctor happened to be the same OB-GYN who had performed my miscarriage surgery a few days ago.

She looked at Ethan, her brow furrowing in confusion. "And who are you to her?"

"I'm the father!" Ethan yelled.

"Didn't Chloe tell you?" the doctor asked, looking bewildered. "She had a miscarriage days ago."

Ethan stumbled back, his face completely drained of color. He trembled, barely able to squeeze out the words. "Mis... miscarriage?"