Jessica's friend was getting married, but Ethan insisted on dragging me, six months pregnant, to the wedding. All because Jessica casually mentioned she wanted me to "see how a wedding works." During the reception, the groom came around making toasts. When he got to our table, Jessica, the bride's friend but clearly Ethan's old flame, urged me to have a drink too. "Come on, sis-in-law," she purred, even though we weren't married, "everyone's doing it, just for the atmosphere!" I politely refused again. Jessica bit her lip and dramatically downed a glass herself, supposedly "for me." Ethan's face instantly darkened. As the party was winding down, Ethan grabbed me, his voice tight with anger. "What's your problem? Why are you so determined to embarrass me!" He gripped my chin, forced half a bottle of something strong down my throat, and shoved me out of the private room, snarling that I was ruining the mood. I threw up violently in the hallway, then stumbled outside and collapsed drunk on the sidewalk. When I came to, I was half-naked, freezing, and covered in blood below the waist. The baby was gone. And as far as I was concerned, so was Ethan… 1 My whole body ached. I was freezing and utterly drained. I blinked my eyes open, finding myself in a grimy alley. Cold wind whipped through, making me instinctively curl up. Then the horror hit me – I was barely clothed! A wave of disbelief and terror washed over me. I looked down, saw bruises mottling my skin, and then lower… blood. So much blood. My eyes flew wide with panic. I slapped a hand onto my stomach. Nothing. No movement. Just yesterday, he was kicking. Tears streamed down my face. Fighting through the pain and dizziness, I somehow managed to pull out my phone, using every last ounce of strength to dial 911 before passing out again. The next time I opened my eyes, I was on a gurney, being rushed through a hospital. Doctors and nurses hurried alongside me, their faces etched with pity. Seeing I was awake, a doctor leaned in close. "Ma'am, listen, this is critical. You need surgery right away. Is your family here? We need someone to sign the consent forms." My lips were cracked and dry. It took me a moment to form words. "No one's coming. I'll sign." The doctor's expression shifted to one of understanding. He quickly instructed the others to prep for surgery. As the bright overhead lights of the OR flared on, a bitter, broken smile touched my lips. …Ethan, how could you do this to me?! All those years I'd devoted myself to him, taking care of his every need, even getting pregnant before marriage, all because he promised me the wedding of the century once he "made it." And this is how it ends. All that love, all that devotion… completely wasted. The surgery went smoothly. When I woke up again, the doctor stood beside my bed, his face full of regret. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Peterson… about your baby…" I squeezed my eyes shut, a fresh wave of tears burning. My voice was a hoarse whisper. "I know." The tears escaped, tracking down my temples. Even though I'd expected it, the grief was suffocating. A nearby nurse tried to offer comforting words, but nothing could touch the pain. This baby… it had meant everything to both of us. When Ethan first found out I was pregnant, he was overjoyed, doting on me constantly. But ever since Jessica came back into the picture a few months ago, everything changed. So much for true love being constant. He didn't care that I was obviously pregnant. He was willing to force alcohol down my throat for Jessica. The doctors had called the police when they found me. Soon after I woke up properly, detectives arrived, showed me their badges, and got straight to the point. "Ms. Peterson, sorry to bother you. Can you remember where the incident happened last night, or where you woke up?" I closed my eyes, my head throbbing. Fragments of memory surfaced – the street name, the alley. I told them what I could recall. As they left, I overheard a younger officer speaking in the hallway. "Pregnant and out drinking! See? Asking for trouble. Now look what happened. I told you she was probably…" "Shut your mouth! How dare you talk about a victim like that? What have I taught you?!" An older officer cut him off sharply. Their footsteps faded down the corridor. A fresh wave of misery washed over me. I silently finished the young cop's sentence in my head. Pregnant and out drinking, she deserved it. Yeah, maybe falling for a man like Ethan meant I did deserve this. Suddenly, my phone rang on the bedside table. It was Ethan. I answered, and his voice immediately hit me like a slap. "Chloe, where the hell are you?!" 2 "So I made you have a couple of sips, and now you're throwing a tantrum and running away from home? Seriously? Running around town while pregnant! Do you even care about me, about this baby?!" Ethan launched into a tirade when I didn't respond immediately. I felt bone-weary, utterly exhausted. I finally spoke, my voice raspy. "Ethan, so you do remember I'm pregnant. Then why did you force me to drink?" He clearly heard the hoarseness in my voice and paused, surprised. Before he could reply, Jessica's voice piped up in the background, dripping with fake self-blame. "Oh, Chloe, I knew you left because of that! It's all my fault. I just thought since you were further along, a little drink wouldn't hurt, but I had no idea you'd…" "Jess, what are you talking about? It has nothing to do with you!" Ethan interrupted her impatiently, any flicker of concern for my weak voice instantly gone. "It's all Chloe, just being dramatic! I've never seen a pregnant woman run off just because she had a little alcohol. She's just spoiled and sensitive!" Listening to him, my heart felt like a dead weight in my chest. My eyes were empty. Ethan got back on the phone, his tone now harsh and demanding. "Chloe, I don't care where you are. Get back here right now and apologize to Jessica. She's just a sweet girl; how could you bully her like that!" Bully her? Sweet girl? I was actually six months younger than Jessica. I stayed silent, realizing it wasn't about age. It was simply because he didn't love me anymore. My silence seemed to infuriate Ethan further. This was probably the first time in years I hadn't immediately folded or apologized, and it stoked his anger. "Chloe! Are you deaf?!" Ever since Jessica reappeared, I'd tried talking to him about his neglect, argued about her constant presence. Every time, he accused me of being petty, of imagining things, and then stormed out. And like clockwork, Jessica would post something on social media, clearly meant for me to see. "No, I'm not deaf." A moment later, a notification popped up. A short video clip from Jessica. In it, she was wearing something skimpy, steam filling the bathroom, and through the haze, I instantly recognized Ethan's silhouette under the shower. She retracted the video almost immediately, sending a voice message instead. "Oops, sorry Chloe! Sent that to the wrong person! You didn't see anything, did you?" Her voice oozed false apology. It was such a blatant power play, asserting her claim. I felt nothing but cold emptiness. I held the phone close to my mouth and managed a dry chuckle. "Yeah, I saw it. Hope you two have fun." She didn't reply, but I knew she'd read it. The surgery and the emotional trauma had taken a huge toll. I'd barely managed a night of restless sleep when I was jolted awake by shouting outside my door the next morning. "Sir! You can't go in there! The patient needs rest! Sir!" "I'm here to see my girlfriend, who the hell are you to stop me?! Which department are you from?" I opened my eyes just as Ethan shoved the nurse aside and stormed into the room. He froze for a second when he saw my pale face, then sneered. "Well, well. No wonder I couldn't find you anywhere. Hiding out in here, huh?" 3 I frowned, wondering how he'd found me so quickly. Then it hit me – the hospital probably called the emergency contact number linked to the payment card I'd used last night. His number. Before either of us could say more, the click-clack of high heels echoed from the hallway. Jessica walked in, dressed to the nines, makeup perfect. She immediately started fussing over me with fake concern. "Chloe! Oh my god, what happened? Why are you in the hospital? Why didn't you tell Ethan or me?" Before she could finish, Ethan pulled her protectively to his side. He looked me up and down. The blankets must have been too thick; he couldn't see my now-flat stomach. He scoffed. "Jess, why are you wasting your sympathy on her? She's faking it. That pale face? All an act to get my attention. There's nothing wrong with her!" "Really, Ethan? But she looks…" Jessica feigned surprise, her face a mask of innocent concern. Seeing the contrast, Ethan seemed even more convinced of my supposed malice. He looked at me with utter contempt. "It can't be alcohol poisoning. She used to hold her liquor just fine. She can't fool me." I closed my eyes, a bitter memory surfacing. Back when he was starting his business, I'd gone with him to countless dinners and networking events, drinking alongside him. I couldn't really handle alcohol, but I forced myself whenever potential clients or investors tried to humiliate him by making him drink excessively. I'd always step in, taking drinks for him. I’d always sneak away to throw up afterward, hiding the countless nights of nausea and stomach pain because I didn't want him to worry or be distracted. Five years wasted on the wrong person. I had well and truly learned my lesson. After this, there wouldn't be a shred of feeling left for him. "You're already in the hospital," Ethan continued impatiently. "So, spit out whatever drama you're trying to pull, and let's go home. Stop embarrassing yourself here. Are you some college kid fresh out of graduation?" "Who is disturbing my patient?!" A stern voice cut through the tension from the doorway. I looked up; it was the head of the department. The nurse must have fetched him after Ethan barged in. Ethan and Jessica froze. Ethan let out a derisive laugh. "Wow, hired actors now? Going all out, aren't we, Boss Lady Chloe?" "Actors?! Who are you people? Get out! Leave the patient alone! She just had a D&C procedure yesterday after a miscarriage! She's weak and needs rest!" the doctor snapped, furious. The young nurse behind him nodded in agreement. "Like anyone believes that! Chloe, if you're going to fake something, at least make it believable…" Ethan's expression didn't change, glancing dismissively at the doctor before turning back to me. He was still talking when I threw back the covers, revealing my flat stomach. My voice was ice. "Does this look believable enough for you, Ethan?" He stopped mid-sentence, mouth still hanging open, looking utterly ridiculous. A tremor ran through him. Panic finally flickered in his eyes. His voice cracked, disbelieving. "...Chloe, you… you got an abortion?!"
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