Chapter 4

"Are you sure that's the right thing to do?" Kai asked, watching his friend get a few things together from his office table.

He'd never seen Nolan in this kind of mood, and if a year ago someone had told him Nolan would act this way towards Jules, he'd have had them arrested.

“The papers are ready, Kai. I've made my decision.” Nolan replied, his expression tight.

Kai sighed and watched him for a while. “What if she was actually framed?"

Nolan spun around to face his friend, irritation flashing in his eyes. “How, Kai? You saw the pictures, didn't you?”

“Yes."

“So what's the excuse? That she was drugged and dragged down to the hotel with the man? If you didn't see it, she looked perfectly sober, Kai." His voice rose with his temper.

“She knows how I feel about cheating. She knows what I've been through and what I'm still trying to come out from. And she still chose to cheat on me, and get pregnant for another man.” His tone suddenly went low, his voice more serious than ever. “I refuse to be the heartbroken one this time."

A knock suddenly cut through the tension, turning both men's attention to it.

But before they could inquire who it was, the door flung open, and a woman trudged in, a bright smile on her lips.

"Hi, Nolan!” She greeted cheerfully, almost bouncing on her toes like a little child.

She was stunning—red hair, brown eyes, red lipstick. Height elevated to average by heels and her body was just like Nolan remembered—distracting.

“My god,” Kai whispered, unable to take his eyes off their intruder.

Nolan's throat bobbed as he stared. “Evie. What are you doing here?”

Evie rolled her eyes and clutched her handbag tighter, stepping closer to Nolan and never breaking eye contact with him.

"Nice to see you, too.” She said, her voice was soft and daring. She clearly knew how to pull a man. "Heard about your wedding. Sorry I couldn't make it.”

"No problem," he finally looked away and circled to the other side of his desk where his chair was and settled himself in it. “What are you doing here?"

Evie smirked and placed her bag on the desk. “Aren't you happy to see me? It's been such a long while. I thought you'd be thrilled.” She purred, placing her hands on the desk and leaning in.

Nolan certainly wasn't thrilled when his aunt brought her up just a day after his failed wedding with Jules. But seeing how much she's changed over the years, he wasn't sure what he was feeling.

They'd been friends since his parents were alive. They used to be such close friends, and they knew basically everything about each other.

But Evie had suddenly told him how much she liked him, and Nolan, who knew the type of girl she was, didn't think he could reciprocate the affection.

After that day, things became awkward between them and when she'd confronted him, he told her outright that he wasn't interested and he didn't want to see her again.

“I'll meet you at home, Nolan." Kai announced and left the office.

"Good to see you again, Nolan. Aunt Maggie told me you needed me.”

“And you believed her?" Nolan asked, his voice straight.

Evie smiled. “Well, I know you need someone. Since Jules, or whatever her name is, decided to be a sl—”

“You have no right to speak about Jules in that way,” Nolan snapped.

Evie just smiled and stepped around the desk, perching on the edge right in front of him. “It's nice that you still defend her, despite the fact that you're planning to shove divorce papers into her hands." She said, running her hand along the file on the table. “That reminds me. I'd like to watch her sign it."

Nolan looked away, his face serious. “No Evie, you're not coming."

*****

Evie skipped down the hall, a smile on her face and a bouquet in her hands like she was going to some child's birthday party.

Every worker and patient they passed by turned, stared, and gossiped. But that was what Evie liked. That was what she was here for.

She rushed forward and held Nolan by the arm. “Not so fast Nolan. I have short legs, remember?" She whined.

Nolan ignored her and just kept his head forward, file in hand, as he made his way to the ward, which he was told Jules was admitted to.

His aunt just had to force him to take Evie along.

As soon as they pushed the ward's door open, Nolan's eyes met Jules’. She was in the hospital’s blue, a couple of IV tubing and cannula taped to her hand, and a bowl of soup in her lap.

Around her bed were her mom and Cassie, who shot him angry looks as the silence lasted.

But then Evie bounced in with the energy of a jerk. “Hi! The name's Evie. You must be Jules. Huge fan!" she chirped, like she thought it'll lift the mood in the room.

Jules just stared in confusion, wondering who the hell she was.

Instead, Evie stretched out the bouquet with a smile. “I got this for you. Hope you like them.”

Jules' eyes dropped to the bouquet, then back to her face. She already didn't like her.

Finally, she shifted her gaze to Nolan, her face as emotionless as possible. "Come to finish things, I see.” She said calmly, masking the hurt in her chest.

Nolan heaved a silent sigh and stretched the file. "I've signed my part.” He announced, his voice low.

Evie set the flowers on the side table and slid her arm through Nolan’s.

Jules' breath hitched. ‘He’s replaced me already.’ she thought but remained quiet, her eyes dropping to the soup in her hands, trying to force back her tears.

Her mom snatched the file and glared at both of them. But Evie just shrugged and leaned into Nolan’s side.

Nolan looked away, trying his best to keep his face straight, and not show the care he still had for this cheat.

Finally, he turned towards the door with Evie still clinging to his arm. “You don't have to sign it now. Just come with it when you come to get your things."

Cassie was fuming on the inside. All she needed was a go ahead to shove those stupid flowers down their throats.

Jules stared at Nolan's retreating back. “So this is it?" She called. "You're going to throw away two years just like that."

Nolan exhaled and turned around. “You didn't think of that when you kissed that man. Why should I?"

Jules paused, her mind racing. He seemed so confident—so sure that she had cheated. It was kind of suspicious.

Like, why the switch? Where was the doubt?

And who was that fucking leech on his arm?

She clenched her fist, a sudden anger overcoming her.

She snatched the file from her mom, skipped to the part where she was to sign, and scribbled her signature.

“There." She stretched it to Nolan. "You can proceed with the final documents.”

With no more words, Nolan collected it and walked out of the ward.

Jules stared down at her soup, fighting back her tears as she vowed to leave the city.

Far away, somewhere she wouldn't see or remember him.

She and her unborn child.