Chapter 4

After returning from his office, Ethan slept like a log. But he guarded his phone like a hawk.

"What are you looking for? First you track me, and now you want to go through my phone? Chloe, are you going through early menopause or something?"

He shoved his phone under his pillow and turned his back to me.

I said nothing. I just stared at his back.

In the past, whenever I tossed or turned, he would instinctively pull me into his arms.

Now, there was an invisible wall between us.

In our past arguments, as long as I gave him an out, cooked him a nice meal, or acted sweet, things would blow over.

But this time, I wasn't going to let it go.

A week later, a celebration dinner was held for Ethan's promotion to Vice Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.

It was also our wedding anniversary.

A double celebration. Normally, he would proudly walk me into the room.

At three in the afternoon, while I was still at work, Ethan sent me a text.

"The office is having a dinner tonight to celebrate my promotion. You should come."

I replied with a single word: "Okay."

After work, I went to the mall and bought a new dress, a forest-green velvet gown paired with a pearl necklace.

It was elegant and hugged my curves perfectly.

This was the style Ethan loved most, classy, sophisticated, and dignified.

When I arrived at the private dining room of the restaurant, everyone was already seated.

Aside from his staff, there were several wealthy political donors and district representatives.

Ethan sat at the head of the table, looking incredibly pleased with himself.

Lily was sitting right next to him.

Tonight, she wore a red slip dress, with Ethan's suit jacket draped over her shoulders.

That vibrant red stood out starkly against the sea of men in black, grey, and navy.

When I pushed the door open, Ethan's eyes flashed with temporary admiration.

"Why are you so late? Everyone's been waiting for you."

He pointed to the only empty seat at the table.

Meanwhile, Lily sat firmly in the seat next to him, the seat reserved for the spouse.

"Chloe is here! Sit, sit!"

Marcus stood up awkwardly, trying to offer me his seat to smooth things over.

But Ethan held Marcus back.

"Don't make her sit there. It's right under the AC vent, and she hates the cold. Sitting by the door is fine."

Actually, I had poor circulation and hated drafty areas.

Ethan knew this.

Yet, not only did he relegate me to the drafty seat by the door, but he also let Lily wear his jacket.

I said nothing. I simply smiled and sat down by the entrance.

A platter of spicy, steaming fish was brought to the table. The heavy chili scent filled the room.

"Ugh..."

Lily suddenly covered her mouth, gagging.

Everyone's eyes immediately locked onto her.

Ethan instantly turned and patted her back, his face tight with concern.

"What's wrong? Is your stomach upset?"

Lily looked up, her eyes watery.

"I can't stand the smell of fish... it makes me want to throw up."

A young staffer made a careless joke.

"Lily's reaction... it looks exactly like how Chloe was when she was pregnant with her first. Don't tell me..."

Before he could finish, the guy next to him elbowed him hard, and he shut his mouth.

I looked at Ethan.

Upon hearing those words, his instinctive reaction was to shield Lily's stomach with his arm.

That single movement pierced my heart.

We once had a child.

Three years ago, because Ethan had pushed a controversial immigration bill that angered an extremist group, we were targeted. I was attacked, and I lost the baby.

The doctor said my uterus was severely damaged, and it would be nearly impossible for me to conceive again.

Ethan had carried that guilt for years, swearing he would devote his life to making it up to me.

Now, he was protecting another woman's womb right in front of my face.

Lily seemed to realize what she had done. She waved her hands in panic.

"No... no! Don't say things like that! I just have a stomach bug!"

As she spoke, she shot a timid, guilty look at me.

"Chloe, please don't misunderstand..."

I knew that reaction all too well.

I picked up my wine glass and stood up.

"Since Lily isn't feeling well, let's have them take the fish away."

"Ethan's promotion is a blessing, and Lily has a 'stomach bug.' What a double celebration."

Ethan glared at me, his eyes fierce and warning.

"Chloe, cut the sarcasm. Sit down!"

I slowly tipped my glass, pouring the red wine directly onto the carpet.

"A toast. To Representative Vance's bright future, and to Lily's... stomach bug."

I set the empty glass down and turned to leave.

Behind me, Ethan's furious roar echoed through the room.

"Chloe! If you walk out that door tonight, don't you dare think about coming back!"

I paused, turned around, and pulled a thick manila envelope from my purse.

Ethan's face went pale.

The entire room gasped.