Chapter 2The Fire That Saved Me

I sighed, cleaned up the scattered chocolates, and texted a lawyer about divorce proceedings.

I printed two copies of the agreement. Knowing Ethan’s stubbornness, I wasn't sure how to get him to sign. I packed up and went to sleep in the guest room.

The next morning, I was woken up by Ethan’s phone call.

"Get ready. I'm coming to pick you up."

I was confused. "Go where?"

"Where do you think? I remembered today is the final IVF appointment! Do you want this kid or not?"

I opened my mouth to tell him I definitely didn't, but he hung up. "Garage. Five minutes. Hurry up."

I sighed. I didn't even change out of my pajamas. Maybe it was better to do this at the hospital.

I got in the car. Ethan frowned at my appearance. "You're going to the hospital dressed like that? People will think you're the cleaning lady, not the patient!"

His naked disgust shattered whatever self-esteem I had left. I quit my job to focus on this pregnancy. I took hormones that wrecked my body. I managed his entire life. I didn't have the energy to dress up.

Instead of gratitude, I got shame.

He tossed a Chanel jacket from the backseat at me. "Put this on."

It obviously wasn't my size, nor my style. It smelled like Chloe—that overpowering rose perfume.

Nauseous, I put it on. As I did, a sheer lace thong fell out of the pocket. It was damp.

Ethan glanced at it, panicked, and snatched it away. "Stop rummaging! Chloe changed in my car after the water park last week and forgot her things."

I opened my mouth but said nothing. His acting was pathetic. He never allowed me to leave anything in his precious car. He detailed it daily. Without his permission, Chloe wouldn't dare leave something so intimate behind.

We arrived at the clinic. The doctor looked relieved to see us. "Great, you're both here. Just sign the papers and we can proceed."

Ethan looked confused. "Proceed? I thought we already agreed on the implantation?"

The doctor paused and looked at me.

I looked down, trying to find the words. Ethan looked suspicious and grabbed the clipboard.

My heart hammered in my chest. Just as he was reading the header—Termination of Treatment—his phone rang with a special, cutesy ringtone.

He threw the clipboard down and answered immediately. "What's wrong, princess?"

The doctor took the opportunity to whisper to me, "Mrs. Miller, since you're terminating, there's a test result you need to see..."

But before she could finish, Ethan grabbed my arm, his grip bruising. "This is all your fault! If anything happens to Chloe, I’m holding you responsible!"