Chapter 6

Lily stood at the bus stop, her breath visible in the crisp morning air. The sun had just begun to rise, casting a soft glow on the pavement, but her mind was elsewhere, lost in thoughts of the day ahead. Suddenly, a sleek black car pulled up beside her, the engine purring like a predator ready to pounce.

The window slid down, revealing Ethan Gray, his expression a mix of urgency and frustration. “Come inside... I need to talk to you,” he called out, his voice cutting through the morning silence.

Lily hesitated, her heart racing. “But I don’t… Mr. Gray, please go,” she replied, her tone firm yet shaky. She had no desire to engage with him, not after everything that had happened.

“I said get in the car,” he insisted, his voice rising slightly.

Just then, the familiar rumble of the bus broke the tension. Relief washed over her as she boarded, hoping to escape the awkward encounter. But Ethan wasn’t done yet. He followed closely behind, his car now parked alongside the bus. “Lily!” he shouted, his voice echoing against the metal frame of the vehicle.

She turned her head away, pretending not to hear him, though her heart thudded painfully in her chest. A man sitting behind her leaned forward, a bemused expression on his face. “Ms., looks like that car guy is calling you,” he remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone.

“There must have been some misunderstanding; I don't know that man…” Lily replied, trying to sound convincing, but doubt crept into her voice.

Ethan’s persistence only grew stronger. He called her name again and again, each shout more desperate than the last. When she still refused to respond, he maneuvered his car in front of the bus, forcing the driver to slam on the brakes.

“Hey! Are you crazy?” the bus driver shouted, frustration evident in his voice.

Ethan, however, remained unmoved. “I won’t let the bus go ahead until Lily sits in my car,” he declared, his tone unyielding.

The other passengers, caught in the drama unfolding before them, began to murmur among themselves. Some urged her to comply, their curiosity piqued by the spectacle. Feeling cornered and upset, Lily finally relented. She pushed her way past the curious stares and stepped off the bus, the weight of their expectations heavy on her shoulders.

As she slid into the passenger seat of Ethan’s car, the bus pulled away, leaving her feeling more isolated than ever. Ethan wasted no time; he started the engine with a roar and sped off, the world outside blurring into a haze.

Lily gripped the seat, her heart racing—not just from the speed, but from the uncertainty of what this encounter would bring. The thrill of the fast-paced ride was overshadowed by a growing sense of dread. Now what did Ethan want from her this time?

Lily’s heart raced as she turned to Ethan, her voice rising in frustration. “What’s your problem?” she shouted, her anger boiling over. “I gave you what you wanted! Why don’t you just leave me alone now?”

Ethan’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his jaw set in determination. “First, answer my question, and then I will leave you,” he replied, his tone unyielding.

“What do you mean… what question?” she shot back, confusion mingling with her anger.

“Whose child is this?” he demanded, his voice rising as he glanced at her, his eyes fierce.

For a moment, Lily froze, the weight of his words crashing over her like a tidal wave. “What?” she stammered, tears welling in her eyes as the reality of the situation sank in.

“Whose baby is this, Lily? In your womb—tell me!” He shouted, his voice echoing in the confined space of the car.

“What do you have to do with this child?” She retorted, her voice trembling. “You have divorced me!”

Ethan’s expression shifted, a mixture of frustration and desperation. “This is the point! When people find out that you’re pregnant after our divorce, what will be the effect on my family and company? Have you thought about that?” His voice was sharp, cutting through her defenses. “I have to rectify this mistake of yours. You have nothing to lose, but I have the honor of my family, my company, and so much more at stake.”

Lily felt her breath catch in her throat, the gravity of his words pressing down on her. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, fear creeping into her heart.

“Abort this baby,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. The command hung in the air between them, heavy and suffocating.

Lily’s heart shattered at his words, a mix of disbelief and sorrow flooding her. “You can’t be serious,” she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. “This is my child, Ethan. How can you even suggest that?”

Ethan’s expression hardened, the conflict in his eyes replaced by a cold resolve. “I’m serious, Lily.”

The car sped down the road, the world outside a blur, but in that moment, time stood still for Lily. She was faced with a decision that could alter the course of her life forever, and the man beside her, once her partner, now felt like a stranger demanding the unthinkable.