Chapter 5

When I woke up in the hospital again, Christopher stood by the bed, his face dark with anger. He threw a pregnancy test report at me. "Calista LeBlanc, who is the father?"

I pursed my lips and gripped the bedsheet, saying nothing.

He went on for a while, but I stayed silent. Then, Emilio walked in, and my heart leapt to my throat.

"Why are you here?" Christopher asked, puzzled.

Emilio said calmly, "I heard from a colleague that your sister was sick. As her boss, it's normal for me to check on an employee, right?"

Christopher frowned but didn't think much of it. He said impatiently, "Get out. I need to talk to her."

Emilio was taken aback. His gaze landed on the report.

I coughed, and Christopher quickly hid the paper behind his back, shouting, "Get out!"

Emilio hesitated but ultimately left the room. It was just me and Christopher now.

His tone was grim as he repeated, "Who is the father?"

I wanted so badly to tell him it was the man he'd just kicked out. But what right did I have?

Emilio had just called me his employee, and last night, he'd kissed another woman like his life depended on it. How could someone like that deserve to be my child's father?

I smiled bitterly and snatched the report from Christopher. Then, I tore it to shreds. "Don't ask, Christopher. This is my business."

He barked out an exasperated laugh and stepped back. "Fine. Fine! You're all grown up now, and I can't keep you in check anymore! Did you stop to think about what would happen when Mom and Dad find out about this, Calista? You're carrying the child of a man you refuse to name!"

Guilt flooded me when I saw his face become blotchy with rage. Finally, I looked up at him solemnly. "Give me a little time, okay? I'll tell you everything."

Christopher looked into my eyes for a while before leaving, slamming the door behind him.

Emilio was startled by the loud bang. He slowly walked into the room and asked, "What were you two talking about? Why was he so mad?"

When I didn't answer, his head shot up sharply. "You didn't tell him about us, did you? Calista, I told you—"

"I didn't," I cut him off, irritated.

Even now, he was terrified that I might reveal our relationship to Christopher. Of course, he was—he'd cheated right in front of Christopher. He wouldn't have the nerve to own up to anything.

"Sorry," he said. "I got ahead of myself."

Emilio sat by my bed and gently touched my hand, which was hooked to an IV. "Why were you in such a rush to leave the hospital? Your fever hasn't broken."

I didn't respond. Instead, I fixed my gaze on his neck, where a mark that I hadn't left stood out.

He noticed my stare and quickly adjusted his collar. "It's a mosquito bite. The weather's been warm lately."

I looked away and said softly, "Must be a lot of mosquitoes."

How else could there be so many love bites on that small patch of skin?

Emilio was relieved by my response. He poured me a glass of water and made small talk. Suddenly, he glanced at his watch. "I've got some company business to handle. I'll head out now and send Laura to stay with you."

He was lying again.

Before, when I'd merely sprained my ankle, he'd chosen to stay by my side, even if it meant missing multimillion-dollar deals. At that time, he said I was more important than anything in the world.

But now, I knew that while I might outshine the world, I would always lose to Amber.

Sure enough, an hour later, Amber posted on her social media. The photo showed no faces, just two hands clasped under a sunset.

The caption read, "How long will it take to let go this time?"

I had to admit that she knew how to play men. Instead of saying she loved Emilio, she hinted that they would part again if he didn't try harder.

When I snapped to my senses, I saw a comment below from Emilio. It was short and simple. "Never."

I smiled, gave the post a like, and took a screenshot. Then, I stumbled out of bed and went to the clinic I'd visited not long ago.

This time, I said firmly, "Doctor, I don't want the baby."

The doctor was taken aback. "Ms. LeBlanc, are you sure?"

I nodded with a smile. "I'm positive. After all, the child's father doesn't want it anymore."

After scheduling the abortion, I left the hospital. Amber sent me another message. This time, it was a photo of two plane tickets. She and Emilio were going on vacation.

At the same time, Emilio messaged me. "Babe, I'm going on a business trip. I'll be back soon."

I smiled. After years of lying to Christopher, Emilio could spin falsehoods without batting an eye. I didn't reply to him, but I replied to Amber. "Have a great trip."

They were embarking on their journey together, and I was ready to start my own.

I returned to the villa and began packing my things. I took only what was mine and threw out everything tied to Emilio, like the wooden carving he'd given me and the first racing medal he'd won.

When I was done, I looked back at the empty house, my eyes stinging. This place had seen our laughter, our intimacy, and the countless "I love you" we'd exchanged.

I wouldn't be coming back here anymore.