Chapter 4

"There's no need to panic," the doctor said, looking over my chart. "This is just a classic case of severe physical exhaustion combined with a sudden emotional spike during early pregnancy."

"You've had a lot of stress today, haven't you? Your body is very weak."

The doctor turned to Christian, assuming he was my husband. "You need to take extra care of your partner. Given her medical history, conceiving this baby was a miracle."

Christian opened his mouth to correct the doctor, but I beat him to it, my voice trembling.

"Doctor... pregnancy? Are you saying I'm pregnant?"

The doctor gave me a sympathetic look. "Yes, dear. According to your records, you've been coming in for monthly checks. You're about eight weeks along. Did you really not know?"

For three years, Julian and I had planned our lives around this potential baby. And now, when the miracle had finally happened, my marriage was already dead.

Christian’s face went pale. The confident, stoic CEO looked utterly devastated.

"Doctor," I whispered, my hands shaking. "If I terminate the pregnancy... how dangerous is it for my body?"

Both the doctor and Christian stared at me in shock.

"Sera," Christian gasped, grabbing my hand. "What are you saying? I thought you wanted this more than anything. Is it because of the work? We can delay the training, I can—"

I let out a bitter, lifeless laugh. "It's not about the work, Christian."

The doctor cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses. "At eight weeks, a termination is surgically straightforward. But... given your severe fertility issues, if you abort this baby, the chances of you ever conceiving again are virtually zero. This might be your only shot at motherhood."

The doctor’s words hit me like a physical blow.

Christian helped me back to my private recovery room, but I refused to climb into the bed. I wanted to go home.

"Sera, you need to rest," Christian pleaded, his eyes dark with worry. "Should I call Julian? Let him know you're—"

"No," I cut him off.

Christian was smart. From my question about the termination, he had already guessed what was going on.

"Sera," he said softly, stepping closer. "Don't carry this alone. Tell me what happened. Let me help you."

I looked at him, my defenses finally crumbling. "Julian is cheating on me. I caught him. We're getting a divorce."

Christian’s face instantly darkened with a terrifying rage. He stood up so fast his chair screeched against the floor. "He did what? How dare he! After everything he promised—"

"It's fine, Christian," I said, putting a hand on his arm to calm him down. "I'm leaving him. It's not too late to save myself."

Christian’s eyes were bloodshot. I couldn't quite read the raw emotion in them, but his voice was thick with protective fury. "Whatever you need, Sera. I'm here. Just... don't let me see that bastard. I might actually kill him."

I knew he meant it. But this was my battle to fight.

When I got back to the penthouse, I expected Julian to still be wrapped up in Chloe's arms. Instead, the lights were on.

And on the entryway floor, next to Julian's Oxfords, was a pair of cheap, flashy red heels that definitely didn't belong to me.

From the living room, a sickeningly sweet giggle echoed through the quiet apartment.

"Oh, Julian, stop! We’re so bad doing this while your wife is away."

"You're the little devil who insisted on driving me home," Julian’s voice laughed, dripping with lust. "And since Sera's not here, why shouldn't we have a little fun?"

"Hmph. What if she actually gets pregnant? Are you going to dump me then?"

"Are you kidding? A baby would just be a headache. You're the only one who knows how to make me feel alive, babe."

Listening to their vulgar, shameless whispers, something inside me finally snapped. But I didn't feel sad. I felt... free.

Sometimes, realizing you married a monster takes only a single second.

Without a shred of hesitation, I pulled out my phone and sent a text to my doctor:

“I’ve made my decision. Please schedule the termination procedure for tomorrow morning. As early as possible.”

Then, I unlocked the front door and walked in.