Chapter 5
When I opened my eyes again, it felt like I was reborn again.[]
I stared at the stark white ceiling, confused for several minutes before the memories crashed back.
My hand instinctively moved to my belly, finding it completely flat.]
The pregnancy bump that I’d sometimes complained was uncomfortable—was gone.
I thought I wasn’t crying, but something felt off on my face. I reached up to touch it, surprised to find my fingers came away wet with tears.
Barbara, Axel’s mother, returned from outside the hospital room. Seeing me awake, she quickly called for a nurse.]
She gently took my hand, her voice filled with sympathy. “Ember, you’re both still young. You’ll have other children someday.”
I stayed silent, but pulled my hand away–my feelings crystal clear.]
Barbara’s expression tightened.
We’d always gotten along well, but she was still Axel’s mother.
Noticing my coldness, she sighed
“Ember, I know you’re hurting terribly.”
You two have been together for over five years–I’ve watched your relationship grow. Now, you’ve had your wedding. That’s rare and special these days.”
“I’ve always thought of you like the daughter I never had. None of us wanted this to happen.”
“Axel crossed a line this time. When he gets here, I’ll make him apologize properly, okay?“]
I kept staring at the ceiling, silent.
After a long pause, I finally spoke.[]
“You say you see me as a daughter. If you actually had a daughter and her husband did this to her, would you forgive him?
“If my parents were still alive and saw how Axel treated me, they would never forgive him.“]
“Can you honestly understand that?”
My directness left her speechless.]
To be fair, if she really did have a daughter… she certainly wouldn’t push her to stay with someone like her son
A man who abandoned his pregnant girlfriend and unborn child to care for his first love.
A man who still hadn’t bothered to show up at the hospital.
Thinking about Axel’s behavior, Barbara became furious. She pulled out her phone and called him.
“Where the hell are you? I told you Ember was in the hospital and needed you
Axel replied casually: “Layla hurt her foot. I took her to get it checked out.“]
“It’s not like Ember’s dying or anything. What’s the rush?”
rage.[]
His attitude sent Barbara into a rage
here!”
“Ember lost the baby! You’re out with someone else while she’s here? Get your ass over here now!“]
“Lost the baby? That’s impossible. Mom, you’re kidding, right?”
Axel sounded like he’d just heard something mildly amusing.
“Whatever, Mom. I’ll come by later, First Derek, now you–what kind of crap has Ember been feeding everyone?”
He hung up, still muttering.
Another hour passed before he finally showed up.
But he wasn’t alone–Layla trailed behind him.
She wore a pink floral dress and, upon seeing me, immediately cowered behind Axel like a startled rabbit.[]
“Axel,” she whispered, “the way she’s looking at me… it’s scary.“]
Axel immediately turned into her bodyguard, shooting me a vicious glare.
“Jesus Christ, Ember! How many times do I have to say it? Layla is sick. Can you stop being such a bitch to her for five goddamn minutes?”
