Chapter 2

Early the next morning, I went to the hospital. Just after paying and settling in to wait for my appointment, I saw Ethan carefully helping Chloe out of the ultrasound room. They sat down on some chairs, looking over the ultrasound printout. Chloe was pointing at something on the printout, and Ethan was listening intently, occasionally making notes on his phone.

Seeing this scene, my hand instinctively moved to my own belly. My eyes stung uncontrollably. I didn't want to face them and bring more pain on myself, so I turned to leave. But Ethan looked up and spotted me.

Ethan stood up, frowning. Annoyance colored his voice. "Are you following me?"

Before I could answer, Chloe tugged on his sleeve. She sounded flustered. "Eth, has Luna misunderstood something? I should go explain it to her. We can't have this hurting your marriage." She started to get up and move towards me.

Ethan immediately pressed her back down onto the seat. "You're pregnant! Stay put. I'll talk to Luna."

I had no interest in watching this heartwarming scene they painted. I turned away again to go. Ethan grabbed my wrist, jerking me off balance so I almost fell. Regaining my footing, I looked up into his furious face.

"Luna," he said, voice tight, "I explained everything to you very clearly last night. Why haven't you understood? Did you really follow us to the hospital?"

I yanked my arm out of his grasp; my wrist was already red and sore. "Sorry, I don't have the time or energy to follow you. You're imagining things."

Ethan clearly didn't believe me. "Then why are you here?"

I held up my payment receipt calmly. "To see a doctor."

He frowned deeper. "You're sick? Why didn't I know?" He reached out as if to snatch the receipt from me.

But Chloe suddenly stepped forward. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched my hand. "Luna," she wept, "after Nathan left, I've been so alone. I just wanted a child to keep me company. That's why I asked Eth for help. I never meant to ruin things between you and Eth!"

If Chloe simply wanted a child, she could have easily used a sperm bank. But she specifically used Ethan's. And her choice of intimate nicknames spoke volumes. Once you finally see clearly, all the ignored details become painfully obvious. I hid my contempt, quietly extracting my hand.

Chloe gasped dramatically and stumbled backwards. Ethan instantly lunged forward, catching her protectively in his arms, his face full of fear. "Chloe! Are you alright?"

Chloe clung to Ethan's neck, tears welling in her eyes. "Eth, I'm okay... I just... I didn't expect Luna to..." She trailed off, implying harm.

Ethan's temper exploded. He glared at me, eyes burning with rage. "Luna! Chloe is pregnant! Don't you know that? How could you be so vicious!"

I hadn't expected Chloe to resort to such a dirty trick. Even less had I expected Ethan to believe her without question. I stared back at them coldly. "I didn't push her."

My denial only enraged him further. "I saw it with my own eyes, and you still deny it? Thank god I caught her in time! If anything happened to Chloe because of you, I'd never forgive you! I was actually going to wait and take you home after your appointment, but now? Go back alone! I'm taking Chloe home!"

He wrapped a protective arm around Chloe and turned to leave, treating her like fragile glass. Watching the stark worry etched on Ethan's face for her, I suddenly called out to him.

"Ethan," I said, my voice strangely clear.

"If I told you I am pregnant. That I came here today for an abortion. Would you stay?"