Chapter 3

Ethan took a day off to accompany me to the bridal boutique for our final fitting.

Because of the pregnancy, my body had filled out, and the dress measurements needed to be adjusted.

"Does this one look better, or the other one?" I asked, looking at him for feedback.

"Yeah, both are fine," he muttered, not even looking up. His fingers were flying across his phone screen, his brow furrowed in a deep frown.

"Ethan, this is our wedding fitting. Can you please put the work away for just one hour?" I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to suppress the hormonal rage bubbling in my chest.

He finally put his phone down and tried to focus on the dresses, but within two minutes, his phone rang.

"Don't panic, Chloe. Send me your location right now. I'm coming."

"Don't cry. I'm on my way."

Ethan hung up in a panic, already standing up to leave, completely ignoring me.

I grabbed his arm, my voice shaking with suppressed anger. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Chloe said there's a stalker following her. She's terrified. I have to go help her."

"Why doesn't she call the police? You aren't her bodyguard, Ethan."

"She's a young girl, Vivian! When people are terrified, they don't think straight. She panicked and called me."

"Ethan, please. Don't go. I need you here today," I pleaded, swallowing my pride, begging him with my eyes.

A flicker of hesitation crossed his face, but then his phone buzzed again with a frantic text. He shook his hand free from my grip.

"Vivian, when did you become so cold and heartless?" he said, his voice dropping to a freezing temperature. "You used to be the kind of person who wouldn't even step on an ant."

He left. He chose to play the hero for Chloe.

Later, I found out Chloe had clung to him, crying about how scared she was to go home. He spent the entire night at a hotel with her, claiming he couldn't leave a traumatized girl alone.

He didn't come home that night.

On the morning of our wedding, I received a text from an unknown number:

"If you want to see the private photos of Ethan and me, come to the second-floor utility room."

The utility room was empty and dark. I walked in cautiously, using my phone flashlight to guide my way.

"Slam!"

The heavy door shut behind me, and the lock clicked. I was trapped. Dust swirled in the air, making me cough violently. I checked my phone—no service.

I had been set up.

The ceremony was starting in ten minutes. I tried to calm myself down. Once Ethan realized I was missing, he would definitely search the venue and find me. This hotel wasn't that big.

But minutes turned into an agonizing half-hour. There were no footsteps, no voices calling my name. The silence was deafening.

A cold dread settled in my stomach. I pounded on the door with all my might, screaming for help until my throat was raw.

Finally, an hour later, a housekeeping lady unlocked the door. She gasped, horrified by my pale, sweat-drenched appearance.

"Oh my goodness, dear! What happened? Why were you locked in there?"

"The wedding..." I gasped, grabbing her arm. "Is the groom still upstairs? Is everyone panicked?"

The maid looked at me with confusion and pity. "The wedding? Honey, the ceremony finished half an hour ago. The reception is in full swing upstairs."

The words felt like a physical blow. I tried to convince myself it must be another couple's wedding.

But when I stumbled up to the grand ballroom, the scene before me shattered my soul.

On the decorated stage, Chloe was wearing my custom-made wedding dress, looking like a blooming princess, holding a bouquet of white lilies.

And honestly, she looked beautiful in it. So young, so flawless.

The ballroom was packed with high-society guests. Ethan was holding Chloe's hand, walking table to table, smiling and raising his glass. They looked like the perfect, golden couple.

A sharp, stabbing pain flared in my chest. It felt like an iron band was wrapping around my heart, squeezing until I couldn't breathe.

Suddenly, a violent cramp seized my lower abdomen.

"My baby... you regret coming into this family too, don't you?"

The operating room smelled strongly of disinfectant.

"Ms. Hale, you are twelve weeks pregnant. Are you absolutely sure you want to terminate the pregnancy?" the doctor asked softly, a hint of pity in her eyes.

I nodded slowly, lying flat on the cold table, staring at the ceiling as the anesthesia began to take effect.

When I finally woke up, the door opened.

It was Asher. Ever since he treated my burns years ago, we had remained close friends.

He looked down at me, his eyes filled with heartache. "Vivi... no regrets?"

I didn't answer. He reached out and gently wiped a tear from the corner of my eye.

"Doctor, is that the baby?" I turned my head, pointing to the silver tray nearby.

It was so tiny. Just a small, silent mass of tissue, but I could already trace the faint, delicate shape of a face. It looked just like Ethan.

I carefully wrapped the sterile container in tissue and placed it inside a small, elegant white gift box.

"Be good, sweetie. Mommy is going to take you to see your father and your grandparents."