Chapter 3

"Water."

Ethan handed me a bottle of warm water. "Drink slowly."

I took the bottle and took small sips. The car was dead quiet, save for the soft hum of the AC.

Suddenly, my phone started vibrating like crazy.

It was Austin. Call after call, like he had completely lost his mind.

I glanced at it and shut my phone off.

Ethan glanced at me and said calmly, "Trash like him isn't worth ruining your mood for."

He paused, then added, "That girl, Hailey. Her past isn't clean."

I was surprised. "You investigated her?"

"Just a casual search." He kept one hand on the steering wheel, his voice indifferent. "Three ex-boyfriends, two current flings. The child she's carrying is highly unlikely to be Austin's."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

I knew that ultrasound looked fishy.

"Don't tell Austin yet."

"Why?"

"It’s much more fun to let him find out on his own."

Ethan didn't say anything, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward.

A month later, my morning sickness got incredibly severe.

Every morning, the first thing I did was run to the bathroom and throw up until my stomach felt completely empty and tears filled my eyes.

But I couldn't stop working on our corporate projects.

I grit my teeth, put on light makeup, and wore a loose blazer to cover my waistline.

In the conference room, I successfully secured a five-hundred-thousand-dollar contract.

The client shook my hand, showering me with praise.

"You're incredibly talented, Chloe."

I smiled politely, but all I could think about was going down to the convenience store to buy some crackers.

At the end of the day, my colleague Sarah came over to gossip.

"Chloe, did you know? Your ex-husband is having a miserable time."

I packed my things and asked casually, "What happened?"

"His mistress is throwing tantrums every single day." Sarah lowered her voice. "She’s demanding expensive organic foods, designer bags... your ex's salary can't keep up with her spending at all."

"And she keeps claiming the pregnancy is unstable, making him run around like crazy."

"A few days ago, he even posted on his Snapchat story complaining about the stress, saying he's getting gray hair."

Hearing this, I just wanted to laugh.

He deserved it.

"Oh, by the way, he’s waiting for you downstairs right now," Sarah pointed out the window.

I walked to the window and looked down.

Austin was standing by the entrance, holding a paper bag, looking around anxiously.

I pulled back, grabbed my purse, and walked out.

As I exited the lobby, Austin saw me and immediately rushed over.

"Honey..." He paused, correcting himself, "Chloe."

I looked at him blankly. "Is there a problem?"

"I... I bought you some pastries." He handed the bag to me, offering a pleading smile. "The ones from that bakery you love. I took a thirty-minute detour just to get them."

I didn't take the bag.

"Austin, we’re divorced."

"I know, but..." He scratched his head, looking incredibly embarrassed. "With Hailey... I've realized she’s a bit..."

He hesitated.

I waited for him to finish.

But after a long silence, he only managed to squeeze out:

"Can you lend me some money?"

I laughed out loud.

So he was here to beg for money.

"No."

I tried to walk past him.

He chased after me, blocking my path.

"Just five thousand dollars. Or even three thousand. Hailey is pregnant and needs prenatal supplements. My salary isn't enough."

Looking at him, I felt like I was looking at a complete stranger.

When we were married and I got sick, he never even bought me medicine.

Now, for Hailey, he had the nerve to beg his ex-wife for cash.

I snatched the bag from his hand and threw it straight into the trash can next to us.

"Austin, let me make this very clear." I said every word slowly. "We have absolutely nothing to do with each other anymore."

"Never contact me again, and stay away from my sight, or I will call the police."

I turned to walk away.

Behind me, his voice drifted over.

"Chloe... did you gain weight?"

My footsteps paused.

My hand instinctively moved to protect my belly.

Right then, Ethan walked out of the office building. He wrapped his arm around my waist, looking at Austin with a freezing glare.

"Still not leaving?"

Austin stared at us, his eyes dropping to my slightly rounded belly.

"You..."

"None of your business," Ethan cut him off coldly. "Stay away from her."

He guided me to his car.

The moment the door closed, I saw Austin's face go completely pale.

**Chapter 4**

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