Chapter 3
The moment I laid on the operating table, I suddenly felt the baby’s heartbeat–steady and strong.
Like he was begging me not to give up on him.
I hesitated for a long time, but eventually, I dialed Alexander’s number.
“Alexander, I’m at the hospital, and you-”
He cut me off with a scoff.
“You’re already there? Then hurry the hell up!”
“I’m telling you, this time you’d better get on your knees and apologize to Chloe, or don’t even think about getting my forgiveness.”
I swallowed the words that were about to leave my lips and ended the call.
I nodded to the doctor to begin.
“You’re sure about this?” the doctor asked.
“The baby’s healthy. Maybe talk to the father?”
“No need. He doesn’t care.”
I left the hospital and went back home to pack.
The place was still covered in wedding decorations.
Even the oversized “Mr. & Mrs.” banner was still taped to the wall.
Clearly, Alexander hadn’t been home since.
Otherwise, how could he stand to look at any of this?
While I was packing, my mom called.
“Emily, did you smooth things over with Alexander? Has he forgiven you?”
Chapter 3
Her voice was filled with worry–but none of it was for me.
I told her I wanted a divorce.
The line went silent.
Then came the usual rant–crying, blaming me for being immature.
Telling me to swallow my pride and hold the marriage together.
My tears fell on the screen, blurring everything until I ended the call.
I pulled myself together and returned to work.
Filed my resignation that same day.
When I got off work, Alexander was waiting outside.
In the ten years we’d been together, that was a first.
I tried to walk past him, but he blocked my way and shoved me into his car.
“It was just a wedding, Emily.”
“Did you really have to blow things up like this?”
“You’re not some naive twenty–something anymore.”
“Stop using divorce like it’s some kind of game to win attention.”
He reached into the glove compartment and tossed me a gift box.
Inside were a pair of wedding bands.
‘What is this?”
He kept his eyes on the road as he spoke, as if nothing was wrong.
‘Chloe didn’t like the original rings. She threw them out.”
“These are new–she picked them out for you.”
Chapter 3
Then, as if he’d just given me the world, he added,
“They’re way more expensive than the last set. You should be happy.”
I laughed, tossed the rings back at him.
“Then give them to Chloe.”
“I’m not interested in hand–me–downs.”
His face turned dark in an instant.
“Don’t be ungrateful, Emily.”
“If you weren’t pregnant with a Montgomery heir, do you really think you’d have ever made it into this family?”
He wasn’t wrong.
This marriage was nothing more than a pity arrangement because of the baby.
So why was I still clinging to something so hollow, just to let him stomp all over my heart?
I held back the tears welling up and turned my head toward the window.
“Then take it that I am ungrateful.”
“Let’s get the divorce paperwork done.”
“Tell me when you’re free.”
He slammed on the brakes.
The tires screeched against the pavement, and the car jerked to a stop.
“You wanna talk about ungrateful?” he snapped.
“You were the one begging at my parents‘ feet like a stray dog, begging them to let you marry into this family.”
“Who the hell are you performing for now?”
Chapter 3
Once upon a time, his words would’ve gutted me.
I would’ve cried and apologized just to keep the peace.
But now?
4
Now I didn’t even have the strength to fight.
Silence filled the car–until Chloe’s name popped up on his screen.
“Alexander, I’ve got a headache… Can you come be with me?”
I cleared my throat and said quietly,
“Let me out at the next corner.”
He looked stunned.
“You’re not mad?”
I shook my head.
I used to be, when I loved him.
Now?
There was nothing left to feel angry about.
He stopped the car, but the door wouldn’t open–it was still locked.
He grabbed my hand, something unreadable in his eyes.
“I’ll just check on her and come right back. Wait for me here.”
I smiled politely and pulled my hand free.
“No need. I can get my own ride.”
He hesitated, then finally unlocked the doors.
“You’re pregnant. Don’t take a cab–I’ll come back for you.‘
Chapter 3
I shook my head again.
He clenched his jaw.
“Do you really have to be like this?”
I actually laughed.
To him, I was the one who betrayed him.
“Yeah.”
с
He stared at me hard, like he was trying to memorize my face.
“Emily… you better wait and see.”
