July Chapter 4

Posted by Admind, ? Views, Released on January 11, 2025

much better. You’ll find happiness again.” I

hadn’t planned on crying, but Chloe’s words

broke through my numbness. I covered my face

with a tissue, my voice thick with tears. “I made

an appointment for this afternoon. We need to go to the hospital.” Chloe gently touched my bump, her voice choked with emotion. “The baby…she’s almost five months along.” A sharp pain stabbed through my heart. Tears splashed onto my stomach. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry. Mommy can’t do this anymore.”

10.

At the hospital, after the examination, the doctor hesitated. “The baby is fully developed. Are you absolutely sure about this?” I barely whispered, “Yes,” afraid the baby would hear and be hurt. The doctor nodded and directed

<

needle slid into my spine, my consciousness

faded. I woke up in a recovery room, Chloe by

my side. She told me it was over. Even though

I’d prepared myself, touching my now–flat

stomach felt like a gaping hole had been torn

through me, a constant, icy draft chilling me to

the bone. I’d lost my baby. Five months old.

How could I not be in agony? It felt like a part

of me had died. I couldn’t even bear to think

about her. Every thought was a fresh stab of

pain, sending tears streaming down my face.

But, baby, I couldn’t give you the life you

deserved. Please don’t blame me. I hope in your

next life, you’re born into a loving family,

cherished and adored, and live a long, happy

life.

11.

Chloe handed me my phone. “Ethan called a

few times while you were in surgery. I didn’t

answer.” I nodded, my heart heavy and numb as

I blocked his number. Lying in the hospital bed,

my mind cleared. The baby wasn’t just mine.

<

Ethan had a right to know. “Chloe,” I whispered,

“please give Ethan the discharge papers, the

medical records… everything. And tell him…I

gave him back his Lily.” Chloe nodded, her eyes

brimming with tears. After a moment of

hesitation, she asked, “Should we…should we

give him…the baby too?”

My chest tightened, and tears welled up. “I just

want Ethan to live with this,” I whispered, my

voice thick with emotion. “But Lily… I want her

to rest in peace.”

12.

Ethan apparently spent a week in bed after

receiving the box. Then, he showed up at

Chloe’s, demanding to see me. Chloe opened

the door and told him to have at it. He stormed

in, all puffed up with righteous anger, but the

moment he saw me, his expression crumpled.

He looked at me, pale and fragile, his mouth

opening and closing like a fish out of water. He

took a few deep breaths, his jaw working as he

struggled to compose himself. “You hate me

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destroy yourself than have my child?” I simply

nodded, too exhausted for words. He turned away, unable to look at me. I remembered how Ethan used to be so excited about having kids. The day I told him I was pregnant, he’d swept me off my feet and spun me around. He, who never lifted a finger in the kitchen, started cooking me healthy meals from cookbooks. He’d scoured the internet for remedies for my morning sickness, patiently trying each one until I felt better. As my belly grew, he took me on walks every day, having heard it would make labor easier. I’d teased him, “What do you, a man, know about these things?” He’d just smiled and said, “Honey, you’re giving me the greatest gift. I’ll do anything for you. I’ll love you forever.” Forever turned out to be pretty short. Juliet showed up, and forever ended. The memories stung, but it was a dull ache, not a sharp pain. I knew those sweet words were just lies. Beautiful lies, but lies nonetheless. He had his Juliet. I had my life to rebuild. “I’ll send you