Chapter 4

Yes, I'd had a child, though I couldn't carry it to term.

But I couldn't sympathize with Ruby.

In the end, she was still the other woman who destroyed someone else's relationship.

"Claire... Miles's surgery is scheduled for next week."

Aaron bit his lip:

"But the surgery and follow-up treatment require a huge sum of money. The company's liquid assets are all tied up in your new project..."

I looked up at him. "So?"

"I want to pause your project temporarily and... redirect the funds to Miles's treatment."

Aaron avoided my gaze. "This is a matter of life and death..."

That project was my blood, sweat, and tears—three months of all-nighters to help Hayes Group break into new markets.

I trembled with rage.

"Aaron, do you know what pausing the project means?"

"It means tens of millions in upfront investment down the drain!"

"Money can be earned back, but I can't watch my son die!" Aaron shouted.

"Enough!"

Everything went black. My chest felt crushed by a boulder, my blood churning.

That intense nausea and dizziness hit me again, more violently than ever before.

I clutched my chest. My body went limp and I collapsed.

When I woke up again, I was in the hospital.

Aaron sat by the bed, holding a document, his expression blank.

Seeing me awake, he jumped to his feet.

"Claire, you're awake?!"

He leaned closer. "Are you uncomfortable anywhere? Does your stomach... does your stomach hurt?"

I frowned and shook off his hand.

"Aaron, what are you pretending now?"

Aaron said nothing. He just handed me the document.

I took it and looked.

Intrauterine early pregnancy, six weeks.

I froze.

"The doctor said... your body is too weak. The previous miscarriage damaged your foundation."

Aaron's eyes reddened, his voice choking:

"This pregnancy wasn't easy. Just now, with the emotional stress, there were already signs of threatened miscarriage..."

"You must stay in bed to preserve the pregnancy. You absolutely cannot be upset again."

"This is a miracle... Claire, this is a miracle from heaven."

He was so excited he wanted to hug me but didn't dare touch me.

"If Grandpa finds out, he'll be thrilled!"

Watching him so overjoyed, I found it utterly ironic.

"Aaron, are you happy?" I looked at him coldly.

"Of course I'm happy! This is our child!"

"But I'm not happy."

I touched my stomach, my eyes cold:

"I don't want this child anymore."

I pointed toward the door:

"Rather than let him be born to face a father who plays favorites and an illegitimate half-brother who'll fight for the inheritance..."

"Better to terminate now."

"No!"

Aaron roared, his eyes bloodshot.

"This is my child! What right do you have to abort him? I won't allow it!"

"You won't allow it?"

I laughed. "Aaron, right now the child is in my body. I can keep it if I want, terminate it if I want."

"You want me to keep this child? Fine."

I sat up straight, my eyes sharp.

"Choose one. Either send Ruby and that child back abroad permanently, never to return or contact us again. Or I walk into the operating room right now and terminate this pregnancy."