Chapter 2

The intense abdominal pain made me instinctively reach out to Chloe.

Begging her to take me to the hospital.

She squeezed my hand and assured me.

I was fine, just 'over-pained'.

It wasn't until my consciousness faded, and I couldn't respond to Chloe's frantic shouts, that Eleanor realized something was seriously wrong and called 911.

When I regained consciousness, it was to the doctor's somber tone.

My small intestine had necrosed due to excessive electric stimulation and had to be surgically removed.

At the same time, I had also lost my fertility.

Hearing this, I clenched my fists and pleaded with the doctor not to reveal this information to anyone outside.

The doctor expressed understanding.

"Ethan, tomorrow morning at 8 AM, at the Grandview Hotel."

"If you're not there on time, we're over!"

The dial tone snapped me back to reality.

Before I was discharged from the OR, Chloe had confirmed with the doctor.

That by 8 AM tomorrow, the anesthesia might not have fully worn off.

She was intentionally trying to keep me from going, so she could break up with me smoothly.

And then she could turn around and blame me.

Saying I skipped the engagement party and humiliated her.

Chloe had brought me to this point, how could I let her get what she wanted?

The next day at 8 AM, Chloe was visibly surprised by my punctual arrival.

"Ethan, you... came?"

I smiled, walked over, took Chloe's hand, and said softly, "It's our engagement party, how could I not be here?"

Then, still holding Chloe's hand, I walked up to Eleanor and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Eleanor, for agreeing to let Chloe marry me."

Eleanor offered a forced smile.

"You passed our Jenkins family's evaluation, so of course, I would agree."

No sooner had Eleanor finished speaking than a meddling relative chimed in.

"Chloe, you're so lucky to have found such a considerate man."

"Exactly! Anyone who knows you'd think he cherishes our Chloe; otherwise, they'd think Ethan couldn't find a wife and latched onto her."

"Haha, an orphan like Ethan, finding a girlfriend like our Chloe, he must be desperate to cling to her."

"Still,"

The relative deliberately glanced at me, then lowered his voice.

Yet his words still echoed throughout the private room.

"What do you think Chloe sees in Ethan?"

"No need to ask, he's handsome!"

"So, he's just a pretty face."

Suddenly, the entire room erupted in laughter.

Out of the corner of my eye, Chloe looked completely unconcerned, even a little smug.

I stood up and glared fiercely at the gossiping relatives.

"Thank you for your kind words, relatives, but..."

I deliberately let my gaze fall on Chloe, making her, who was enjoying the show, involuntarily sit up straight.

She tugged at my sleeve, signaling me to sit down quickly.

Seeing I didn't move, she anxiously stood up and whispered a threat in my ear.

"Ethan, don't make a scene. Sit down. Otherwise, don't blame me if I cut you off completely."

Even at this moment, Chloe still thought she had me wrapped around her finger.

Any last trace of love I had for Chloe vanished at that moment.

I smoothly put my arm around her shoulder and announced to everyone.

"The reason we're getting engaged is because Chloe is pregnant."