Chapter 4

I pulled out my phone and snapped a photo of the scene.

I didn't storm over to confront them. Instead, I walked back into the lounge as if nothing had happened, where everyone had already moved on to another topic.

*Mark, I originally planned to use this baby to secure my future with you, but it looks like I won't need to anymore.*

I sat there for a long time, but Mark never came back. The party was winding down.

Friends began trickling out in small groups.

Mark's friend, reeking of alcohol, gave me an apologetic look. "Hey, let me call you an Uber."

"No need, Mark will be here to pick me up soon." I turned my phone face down, hiding the dozen unanswered calls on the screen, and smiled as I covered for him. "His battery died, but he told me earlier he was already on his way."

I sent him off, settled the bill at the front desk, and stepped outside the venue, sinking weakly onto the curb.

"Look at you, hitting rock bottom already, Serena." A tall silhouette blocked the glow of the streetlamp above, standing right in front of me.

"Boss, I already resigned, and I still can't escape your sharp tongue, can I?" I tried to joke with him, but the smile wouldn't form. It felt hollow and bitter.

"Before I was your boss, I was your mentor from law school. Even if you quit, you can still ask me for help." Logan lowered his gaze to look at me.

"Fine. Help me get to the clinic first." I looked up with a wry smile, meeting his eyes.

Logan drove me to the emergency clinic. The doctor frowned at me in disapproval. "Don't you know you're pregnant? Why are you drinking so much? Do you not want this baby?"

"No, I don't," I said flatly.

The doctor didn't pry any further, writing a prescription to help stabilize the pregnancy and telling me to pick it up.

Logan helped me to a bench in the hallway, then handled everything himself—paying the bill and picking up the medication.

Finally, he sat beside me, holding the pills and a bottle of water.

He showed more care for me than Mark ever did as my husband.

"Why don't you want the baby anymore?" Logan asked. "Didn't you just get your marriage license today?"

I stared at the Instagram post I had made that afternoon. The photo of our marriage certificate now looked completely ridiculous.

"Logan, do you take cases? A guaranteed win."

Logan dropped me off at home and left.

Mark didn't come back all night, and his phone stayed turned off.

I, on the other hand, slept peacefully.

The next morning, Mark returned with heavy dark circles under his eyes, carrying the faint scent of hotel body wash.

"Babe, a client flew in last night, and I had to host him."

Mark gently turned me over and kissed my forehead. Catching the smell on him, I wrinkled my nose in disgust.

"Why are you running a fever? Let me take you to the hospital." A flicker of panic flashed through his eyes as he scrambled to find a jacket for me.

"I took some fever reducers last night. It's just a low-grade fever now." I reached out and squeezed his palm. "I'm a little hungry."

"What do you want to eat? I'll go buy it." Mark acted extraordinarily attentive, eager to take care of everything.

"I want some of the oatmeal Elena made."