Chapter 8

Ethan stood in the doorway of Sarah’s apartment, his heart racing as he took in the scene before him. The space was transformed into a romantic haven, adorned with soft fairy lights, vibrant flowers, and flickering candles that cast a warm, inviting glow. Confusion washed over him. What was going on?

“Sarah?” he called out, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet room.

Before he could step further inside, he felt her arms wrap around him from behind, pulling him close. “Ethan!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with unrestrained joy. He turned to face her, and her radiant smile lit up the room, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“What’s all this?” he asked, glancing around at the decorations. “What’s the emergency?”

She released him and stepped back, her smile widening. “No emergency, silly! I just wanted to celebrate!”

Before he could respond, she leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. The kiss sent a rush of warmth through him, igniting a spark of affection he had longed for. “We haven’t celebrated your divorce,” she continued, her voice a melodic whisper. “I’m so happy now. We can be together forever. I love you, Ethan. I love you so much for what you’ve given me.”

Her words wrapped around him like a comforting blanket, but a flicker of hesitation crossed his mind. “I love you too, Sarah,” he replied, his heart swelling with emotion. “But I was in the middle of something important. You could have waited until tonight for this celebration.”

She pouted playfully, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, white strip. His brow furrowed in confusion. “What’s that?”

With a triumphant smile, she held it up for him to see. “Look!”

Ethan’s eyes widened as he registered the two pink lines. “Is this…?” he stammered, his heart pounding in disbelief.

“Yes! I’m pregnant, Ethan!” she exclaimed, her joy radiating through the room.

He stood frozen for a moment, processing the news. A rush of exhilaration surged through him, and he couldn’t help but smile. “Are you serious?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes! This is amazing, right?” she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms, lifting her off the ground as they spun in a circle. “This is incredible!” he laughed, feeling a mix of disbelief and joy.

As he set her down, their lips met again, this time with a deeper urgency. The kiss was electric, full of promise and the thrill of their new reality. The world around them faded away as they embraced, their hearts beating in sync.

“Can you believe it?” she said breathlessly, her forehead resting against his. “We’re going to be parents!”

“I can’t believe it,” he replied, his voice thick with emotion. “This changes everything for us.”

She smiled, her face glowing with happiness. “It really does. We can build a life together, just like we always dreamed.”

Ethan cupped her face in his hands, looking deeply into her eyes. “I want that more than anything. I want to be with you, Sarah.” The weight of his past began to lift, replaced by a hopeful anticipation for the future they could create together. In that moment, everything felt possible, and for the first time in a long while, he felt truly alive.

The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in Ethan's bedroom. He lay in bed, the peaceful silence enveloping him, when suddenly, his phone rang, shattering the tranquility. Groggy and disoriented, he fumbled for his phone on the nightstand, squinting at the screen. The caller ID read “Hospital.” A knot of anxiety twisted in his stomach as he swiped to answer.

“Hello?” he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

“Mr. Grey?” The voice on the other end was steady but serious. “This is Dr. Harris from St. Mary’s Hospital. I’m calling regarding Lily. There’s been a complication.”

Ethan’s heart sank. “What do you mean? What happened?”

“The abortion procedure was completed a few hours ago, but Lily is not recovering well. She’s bleeding significantly, and we need you to come in as soon as possible.”

A wave of dread washed over him. He had always thought he hated Lily, but hearing her in such a vulnerable state stirred something deep within him. “I’ll be there,” he said, his voice steadier than he felt. He hung up the phone, his mind racing.

As he began to get dressed, the weight of the situation settled heavily on his shoulders. He pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, his movements automatic. Just then, he noticed Sarah stirring beside him, her sleepy eyes blinking open.

“Ethan? Where are you going?” She asked, her voice laced with concern, but there was an edge to it that made him wary.

“I need to go,” he replied, trying to keep his tone neutral. “I’ll meet you later.”

“Wait, what’s going on?” Sarah pushed herself up on one elbow, her expression shifting from sleepiness to a calculated concern. “You look pale. Is it about Lily?”

He nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. “Yeah."

A flicker of something crossed Sarah's face—was it annoyance? “Ethan, please don’t go,” she said, her voice sweetening, but he could sense the manipulation beneath her words. “Can’t it wait? I mean… she’s your ex-wife. You should be focusing on us, on our future.”

“Sarah, this is serious,” he replied, trying to keep his voice calm.

“But you don’t have to be there for her!” she insisted, her voice rising slightly. “You’ve moved on, remember? We have a life to build together. Don’t let her pull you back in.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m not running back to her. I’m going to make sure she’s okay. That’s it. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Ethan…” she started, her voice now dripping with feigned sweetness.

leaning down to kiss her forehead gently, despite the tension in the air. “I’ll call you as soon as I know what’s going on.”

As he stepped out of the room, the gravity of the situation settled in.