Chapter 4

I looked down.

It was the "Blue Starry Night" diamond ring. It had been auctioned off for $35 million to a mysterious buyer. I never expected that buyer to be Ethan.

He bent down to pick it up, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Chloe must have dropped it in my car by accident. I'll give it back to her another day."

He probably thought I didn't recognize it.

But I studied jewelry design in college, and I always kept an eye on the high-end luxury market.

"I understand. Young girls are always clumsy," I replied half-heartedly. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen.

I wanted to leave, but he dragged me toward the restaurant.

"I want to go home first."

"Clara, stop throwing a tantrum. You just said you understood. What are you mad about now?"

"My stomach hurts..."

My face was pale from the pain. If Ethan had cared even a little bit, he would have noticed.

I forced myself to finish the meal, then begged him to take me home immediately.

"You're such a buzzkill. Eating with you is like being rushed to a funeral. Is your time really more valuable than mine?"

Halfway home, his phone rang. It was Chloe.

"Ethan, where are you? I was shopping with my friends, and now I can't get a cab. It’s so hot out here. Can you come pick me up? I'm going to get sunburned."

A fond, indulgent smile appeared on Ethan’s face. "You little troublemaker."

His voice was incredibly gentle. "Wait for me. I'm on my way."

Seeing Ethan about to make a U-turn, I grabbed his wrist to stop him. "Don't go."

"Clara, what is wrong with you now?"

His face darkened, his eyes burning with anger.

"I'm keeping you with me precisely so you won't misunderstand. I'm being completely transparent, yet you're being so petty."

"When will you ever be as sensible as Chloe?"

He slammed on the brakes. "If you don't want to come, get the hell out of my car. Stop wasting my time."

"Take me to the hospital first. After that, you can do whatever you want. I won't care."

I could clearly feel warm blood trickling down my inner thighs. "Chloe won't die from a sunburn, but I might!"

"Clara, enough is enough! You used to use your chest scar to get my sympathy, and now you’re threatening me with death? I'm going to pick up Chloe today no matter what. Let’s see if you actually die!"

Tears filled my eyes out of pure terror. The bleeding was getting worse. I screamed in absolute desperation, "Ethan, I'm begging you! I'm pregnant! I'm bleeding out! Please take me to the hospital!"

"Pregnant?" He sneered. "Wow, you're amazing. You can get pregnant whenever it's convenient for you, huh?"

"You really will do anything just to stop me from seeing Chloe."

"Get the hell out of my car. I don't want to see your face."

Ethan pointed at the door, roaring at me, "Bleeding out? You look perfectly fine to me. Don't ruin my leather seats!"

Numb with pain, I was about to open the door when he suddenly locked it.

"Are you sure you won't come with me to pick up Chloe?"

"No!"

"Fine! If you don't come today, we are getting a divorce. If you can’t accept the people around me, then get the hell out of my life."

"Divorce?" I hadn't even brought it up yet, and he was the one demanding it over something so ridiculous.

I caught my breath. "Fine. Since you want a divorce so badly to be with Chloe, I’ll give you what you want."

"I've already had my lawyer draft the papers. I'll have them sent to you."