Suddenly, Lila’s sweet voice rang out at the door as she cheerfully threw herself into Ethan Campbell’s
arms.
“Baby! You’re gonna be a dad!”
She held up her ultrasound report, smiling brightly.
“I’m pregnant.”
Ethan froze, every muscle locking mid–motion.
“You’re so shocked you can’t even move?” Lila pouted, tapping his chest. Her smile faded, and her eyes welled with tears.
“Or is it… you’re not happy I’m pregnant? Are you still thinking about her?”
“No, no. Of course not,” Ethan snapped out of it, fumbling his words.
“I’m just–surprised. I’m gonna be a dad…”
He lifted her into his arms, eyes turning red from emotion. His overwhelmed expression looked almost
childlike.
Ashley Whitmore had never seen Ethan like this.
Her hand instinctively went to her stomach. She remembered the disgust on his face when he thought she
was pregnant–and the pain tore through her like a dull blade, shaking her to the core.
His love–the glaring absence of it–had never been clearer.
Thank God she didn’t love him anymore.
“Let’s go,” Ethan said, unable to hide his excitement. “We’ll head back to Arlington Heights and tell our
families.”
He carried Lila out without sparing Ashley a glance.
Lila leaned on his shoulder, casting a smug look back at Ashley.
Alone in the empty hospital room, Ashley stood frozen, tears silently spilling down her cheeks.
That very day, she made an appointment to terminate the pregnancy.
She couldn’t bring an unwanted child into this world–not when she couldn’t even trust Ethan and Lila to
Chapter 6
30.00%
IHABLAY CONECTATE POR VIDEO EN
Tango- Live Stream, Vide…
11.92m) | Tango
Learn More
be decent people.
“I’m sorry, baby,” she whispered.
“Mommy can’t let you be born into a life like this.”
Ashley’s procedure was scheduled for three days later. She requested an early discharge–just a few days
left before leaving the country, and she had things to wrap up.
First, she submitted her official resignation to the clinic. Then she returned to her apartment and began
packing.
That tiny one–bedroom once brimmed with traces of their life together. Everything came in pairs–from toothbrushes to slippers. Even though he hadn’t been back in a long time, his presence still lingered in
every corner.
Ashley packed up his belongings and threw them out.
Then she began dismantling everything that held meaning.
She took down the custom wedding puzzle. She loved puzzles, and Ethan had once ordered a jigsaw of
their wedding photo from SnapPuzzle. They had spent three sleepless nights putting it together–only to
discover one piece missing.
That missing piece? The part over his heart.
Maybe it was fate. A silent sign that his heart was never hers.
She burned the scarf Ethan had knitted for her. Back when he’d lost his memory and had no job, he’d taken
to knitting scarves to pass the time.
He made ninety–nine of them.
Ashley had once thought it was for her.
But seeing Lila wearing the exact same design later on, she realized–Ethan had been perfecting his stitches for Lila all along.
Two full days passed before Ashley finally cleared out the apartment.
The day before her procedure, she received a call from the clinic. There was a case handoff that required
Chapter 6
30.00%
IHABLAY CONECTATE POR VIDEO EN
Tango- Live Stream, Vide…
(1.92m) | Tango
Learn More
her presence.
When she arrived, she was greeted by the last people she wanted to see: Ethan and Lila.
Lila had originally been her patient. Now, she insisted Ashley finish her treatment plan.
“I’m so sorry, Ms. Whitmore,” her coworker whispered, nearly in tears.
“I know you resigned, but they’re demanding it… If you want, I’ll quit. I don’t care anymore.”
“It’s alright. I’ll handle it,” Ashley forced a smile. This colleague had always supported her–offering flexible work when she needed extra money. Besides, proper resignations required proper handoffs.
She brought in two cups of warm water and entered the consultation room, putting on a professional
smile.
“Mrs. Campbell. How can I assist you today?”
Lila sat smugly, one hand resting on her still–flat belly.
“My contract’s not over yet. You’re obligated to continue my sessions. Starting now, I want 24–hour
emotional care. Pregnancy stress relief. Personal support.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Campbell,” Ashley replied evenly.
“That request is outside my professional scope.”
“I don’t care!” Lila turned to Ethan.
“You promised she could be my dog!”
Ethan’s face twitched. Ashley hadn’t even looked at him since entering, and for some reason, that irritated
him.
He hated how indifferent she was now.
“Then have the clinic change its service policy. Or none of these people will work in this industry again.”
His words stabbed straight into Ashley’s heart.
She knew all too well–Ethan would do anything to please Lila.
Ashley remained silent.
Ethan pulled out his phone and dialed.
Chapter 6
t
HABLAY CONECTATE OR VIDEO EN
Tango- Live Stream, Vide…
(1.92m) | Tango
30.00%
Learn More
“Shut down Whitestone Counseling Center-”
“T’ll do it!” Ashley snapped, her palm turning red from how tightly she clenched it.
“Please, Mr. Campbell… spare the clinic.”
Ethan smirked and hung up the phone, satisfied.
And just like that, Ashley followed Ethan and Lila back to Arlington Heights.
Chapter 6
