Chapter 9

At the Hospital

Ethan rushed through the sterile halls of St. Mary’s Hospital, his heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and dread. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed softly, illuminating the way as he approached the nurses' station. He spotted Dr. Harris talking to a nurse and quickly made his way over.

“Dr. Harris!” Ethan called, urgency in his voice.

The doctor turned, his expression serious. “Mr. Grey. I’m glad you’re here. We need to talk about Lily.”

Ethan nodded, his stomach churning. “What’s her condition? Is she going to be okay?”

Dr. Harris took a deep breath, gesturing for Ethan to follow him to a quieter corner of the hallway. “Lily is facing a rare case of infection following the procedure. It’s been difficult to manage. She’s been bleeding heavily, and we’re concerned about the potential damage to her uterus.”

Ethan’s eyes widened at the words. “Damage? What do you mean?"

Dr. Harris hesitated for a moment before continuing. “If the infection worsens, it could lead to complications that might affect her ability to conceive in the future. We’re doing everything we can to stabilize her, but it’s a serious situation.”

A wave of concern washed over Ethan. He didn’t care about Lily’s ability to have more children; what mattered was her recovery. “I just want her to be okay. She’s my responsibility,” he said, his voice firm but laced with worry.

“Of course. We’re monitoring her closely,” Dr. Harris assured him. “Right now, our focus needs to be on her recovery. We’ll do everything in our power to treat her.”

Ethan felt a surge of frustration. He couldn’t shake the thoughts swirling in his mind. Who was the father of that child? Did he even know about Lily’s pregnancy and the abortion? What kind of man was he? A coward, perhaps, for not being here when she needed support.

“Do whatever it takes to make her heal,” Ethan insisted, his voice resolute. “Don’t worry about the cost. Just make sure she gets the best care possible.”

The doctor looked at him with a mix of respect and compassion. “I appreciate your concern for her. We’ll do our best, I promise.”

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “Thank you, Dr. Harris. I just… I need to know she’s going to be okay.”

“I’ll keep you updated on her condition,” Dr. Harris replied. “You can wait in the family room, and I’ll let you know as soon as there’s any change.”

“Thank you,” Ethan said, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. As Dr. Harris walked away, Ethan stood there for a moment, staring at the floor, grappling with the weight of the situation.

He thought about Lily lying in that hospital bed, facing the consequences of choices that had led them to this moment. No matter their past, she needed him now. And despite everything, he couldn’t turn his back on her. With a heavy heart, he made his way toward the waiting area, hoping for the best but fearing the worst.

As Ethan settled into the waiting area, his mind began to spiral into thoughts of his parents. He couldn’t help but reflect on how they had always favored Lily, even more than him at times. From the moment she entered his life, she had become the golden child in their eyes, the daughter they never had. Their affection for her had been palpable. They forced him to marry Lily.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair in frustration. What would they think about the divorce? The thought weighed heavily on him. They had always seen Lily as perfect; she was charming, intelligent, and kind. He could already imagine their disappointment when they learned that their beloved daughter-in-law was no longer part of their family.

He remembered the countless family gatherings where Lily had been the center of attention, her laughter ringing through the house while he often felt like a shadow. She was the reason he hadn’t married Sarah sooner. His parents had always encouraged him to work things out with Lily, to give their marriage another chance. They had believed in her.

Now, with the news of Lily's pregnancy and the subsequent abortion, Ethan felt a fresh wave of panic. What would happen when they found out? He could already hear their voices, filled with disappointment and blame. “How could you let this happen?” they would ask, their eyes filled with hurt. They would surely place the blame squarely on his shoulders, just as they had done whenever she made any mistake as a child and his parents blamed him for that.

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the impending confrontation. He just wanted her to recover quickly—to be out of danger before his parents learned the truth. The last thing he needed was for them to come rushing to the hospital, filled with concern for Lily and anger toward him. He didn’t want to face their judgment or their disappointment.

Ethan took a deep breath, focusing on the present moment. He had to put aside his worries about his parents.

He couldn’t control how his parents would react, but he could control his actions now.