Chapter 7

“What...? You can’t do that! It’s my baby!” Lily exclaimed, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear. The reality of Ethan’s words felt like a dagger to her heart, and she couldn’t comprehend how he could be so callous.

Ethan’s expression remained cold, his eyes devoid of warmth. “Want a child? I’ll give you one, but this child will never be born,” he replied, his voice steady and unyielding.

Without another word, he slammed the car door and stepped out, moving with purpose. Lily’s heart raced as she realized he was heading toward the hospital. Panic surged through her as he stopped the car in front of the emergency entrance, his intentions clear.

“No, Ethan! Please!” She cried, but he was already opening her door, his grip firm as he pulled her out and guided her inside. The sterile smell of the hospital hit her like a wave, and she felt disoriented as he spoke to the receptionist, arranging for her admission.

“Please don’t do this,” Lily pleaded, gripping Ethan’s hand tightly, desperation in her voice. “What is the fault of this child? Please believe me… it's… it’s your baby!”

Ethan’s gaze hardened, his resolve unshaken. “You are lying to save your child,” he said coldly, his words cutting deeper than any knife.

“No, please don’t do that… please…” Her voice cracked as she fought against the rising tide of despair, her heart aching for the life she carried within her. She felt the walls closing in, the reality of her situation overwhelming her.

Suddenly, the room spun around her, and darkness crept in at the edges of her vision. With a gasp, Lily fainted, her body going limp as she lost her grip on Ethan’s hand.

As she collapsed, the world faded away, leaving only a chilling silence behind. Ethan stood frozen for a moment, the weight of his decision pressing heavily upon him. The stark fluorescent lights above flickered, illuminating the stark reality of what was about to unfold.

****

Lily's POV

When I opened my eyes, the sterile scent of antiseptic filled my nostrils, and I realized I was in a hospital room. The bright lights above felt harsh against my weakened state, and an overwhelming sense of vulnerability washed over me. No one was inside the room. I was alone.

Panic surged through me as I recalled Ethan’s cold words and the purpose of my admission. I had to escape. With great effort, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, feeling the chill of the floor beneath my feet. My body felt heavy, and every movement sent sharp pain radiating through my lower abdomen.

I pushed myself up, determination fueling my steps as I opened the door. Ethan was nowhere to be seen. This was my golden chance to run away from this nightmare. I took a few unsteady steps, but the pain intensified, and I struggled to keep my balance. I didn’t even realize blood was seeping through my feet, leaving a trail of crimson on the pristine white floor.

After what felt like an eternity, I could bear it no longer. As I stumbled, my vision blurred, and I was just about to fall when a strong hand caught me.

“Ethan?” I gasped, my heart racing as I looked up into his concerned eyes.

“What are you doing here? Have you seen your condition?” he demanded, his voice laced with frustration and concern.

“Leave me… please… don’t touch me,” I pleaded, trying to pull away, but my strength was fading fast.

In an instant, Ethan scooped me up in his arms, lifting me in a bridal carry as if I weighed nothing. “You’re not going anywhere,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. I felt a mix of anger and helplessness as he carried me back inside the room, my protests falling on deaf ears.

Just as he laid me back on the bed, darkness crept in again, and I felt myself slipping away. The last thing I registered was Ethan’s worried expression before everything faded to black once more.

****

Ethan's POV

I had stepped out for a brief moment, attending to some urgent matters, when I returned to the room and found it empty. A surge of panic gripped me as I rushed outside, my heart pounding in my chest. That’s when I saw her—Lily—slowly making her way down the hallway. She looked fragile, each step a struggle, and I realized with a sinking feeling that she was trying to escape.

But it was futile. The procedure had already been done while she was unconscious. The baby was gone, and now she was left with the aftermath. Her condition was far from stable; she would need to stay in the hospital for several days to recover.

As I approached, my gaze fell on the bloodstains trailing behind her, stark against the sterile floor. A wave of distress washed over me. I hurried to where she wobbled, her strength waning as she neared collapse. I caught her just in time, wrapping my arms around her before she could hit the ground.

“Lily,” I murmured, lifting her into my arms once more. I carried her back to the room, my heart heavy with guilt and concern. As I laid her back on the bed, I felt her body go limp again, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that settled in my stomach.

I stood there, staring down at her pale face, and a wave of regret crashed over me. I was responsible for her condition. I had pushed her into this corner, and now she was paying the price. “Forgive me,” I whispered, though I knew she couldn’t hear me. “But you shouldn’t have done this. You cheated, and your baby pays the price.”

Yet, despite my anger and frustration, something else tugged at my heart—a pain I couldn’t quite understand. Why did it hurt to see her like this? I should have felt nothing but relief that the situation was under control, but instead, my heart ached. I clenched my fists, grappling with emotions I had buried deep. I couldn’t comprehend why this was affecting me so profoundly, but as I watched her frail form lying helplessly on the bed, I knew one thing for certain: I was trapped in this turmoil, and I didn’t know how to escape it.

Just then, my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and saw Sarah’s name flashing. A wave of unease washed over me; she rarely called unless it was urgent. I hesitated for a moment, torn between my lingering resentment toward Lily and the nagging feeling that Sarah needed me.

I swiped to answer, putting the phone to my ear. “Sarah? What’s wrong?”

“Ethan!” Her voice was laced with panic. “I need you. It’s an emergency. Can you come to me right now?”

“What’s going on?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady while glancing back at Lily. She lay there, pale and fragile, a stark reminder of the life I had left behind. My heart hardened at the sight of her, the resentment bubbling just beneath the surface.

“I… I can’t explain it over the phone. Just please, I need you here. It’s important!” Her voice trembled, urgency radiating through the line.

I looked at Lily’s face again, her eyes closed, her breathing shallow. A part of me screamed to stay, to ensure she was okay, but Sarah’s distress tugged at me. I took a deep breath, wrestling with the conflicting emotions swirling inside me.

“Okay, I’ll be there,” I finally said, my voice cold and resolute. Sarah was my first love—the one I had fought for, the one I had divorced Lily for. I couldn’t let her down now.

“Thank you! I knew you’d come,” Sarah replied, relief flooding her voice.

I ended the call and stood there for a moment, the weight of my choice settling heavily on my shoulders. I looked back at Lily, my heart hardening as I took in her vulnerable form. “You brought this on yourself,” I whispered, bitterness creeping into my tone. “You should have known better.”