Chapter 4

I went back to the house, packed my bags, and checked into a luxury hotel nearby.

For the next two weeks, Chloe didn't call me once.

On the other hand, Julian’s Snapchat and Instagram stories were incredibly active.

[Just assembled the crib for my future godson. Chloe loves it.]

[Took Chloe for her checkup today. The doctor warned about the scar tissue pregnancy and advised termination, but Chloe said she's willing to risk her life for the fruit of true love.]

Underneath his post was a comment from Chloe:

[Thank you for always being by my side. I'm so lucky to have you.]

I stared at the screen and sneered. The doctors had warned her multiple times that a Cesarean scar pregnancy was extremely dangerous.

But since she was so determined to play the martyr for her lover's child, I was more than happy to let her.

One month later, late at night.

I was in my hotel room reviewing a business contract when my phone suddenly vibrated violently.

It was Julian.

I pressed answer.

"Ethan Vance! Where the hell are you?! Get your ass down to City Memorial Hospital right now!"

"Chloe is having a massive hemorrhage! She’s in the emergency operating room! What kind of husband are you?!"

"An emergency is a doctor's job. Why are you calling me?" I replied casually.

"They need a family member's signature! The doctor says they have to perform an emergency hysterectomy to save her life!" Julian screamed into the phone.

"Get over here and sign the papers! If you're late, Chloe is going to die!"

My voice remained dead calm.

"Aren't you her childhood soulmate? You sign it."

"I'm just a friend! The hospital won't accept my signature! It has to be her legal husband! Hurry up!"

The line went dead. I slowly changed into fresh clothes and walked out of the hotel.

When I arrived at the hospital's emergency wing, I could see the chaos outside the operating room from a distance.

Chloe's mother, Beatrice Miller, was wailing on the floor.

Julian was leaning against the wall, his face white as a sheet.

Seeing me, Julian lunged forward and grabbed me by my collar.

"You piece of shit! How dare you show up so late! Chloe is fighting for her life in there, and you took your sweet time!"

I coldly brushed his hands off me.

"Get your hands off me."

Beatrice scrambled up from the floor, pointing a trembling finger at my nose.

"Ethan Vance, you ungrateful bastard! My daughter is losing her life trying to give you a child!"

"Even when you went bankrupt, she didn't leave you! How can you be so cold-blooded?!"

The operating room doors swung open, and a doctor walked out holding a clipboard.

"Who is Chloe Miller’s family? The patient has a ruptured scar pregnancy and severe abdominal bleeding. We must perform an immediate total hysterectomy to save her life. Husband, please sign here."

Julian shoved me toward the doctor.

"Him! He's her husband! Make him sign!"

The doctor handed me the pen.

"Sir, this is an extreme emergency. Please sign to authorize."

I took a step back, refusing to take the pen.

"Whether she lives or dies has nothing to do with me."

The hallway fell dead silent.

Beatrice’s eyes widened in shock.

"What kind of monster are you?! That is your wife lying in there!"

Julian gritted his teeth, stepping up to me.

"Are you even a man, Ethan?! You're trying to dodge responsibility at a time like this?!"

The doctor frowned, losing patience. "Sir, this is not the time for marital disputes. Every second counts."

I reached into my inner pocket, pulled out a small red booklet, and held it up in front of their faces.

"Look closely. I am not her husband."

"We officially divorced two weeks ago."

"So, Chloe Miller has absolutely nothing to do with me. I bear no legal or financial responsibility for her life."

"And besides... that baby isn't even mine."