Chapter 4

The maid's screams hadn't even stopped when Julian kicked open the bathroom door.

He scooped up the semiconscious Chloe and ran towards the door.

"Mr. Peterson, get the car! To the hospital, fast!"

I suddenly understood what Chloe had meant in her texts when she said she'd get me kicked out.

Her strategy was truly brilliant.

If she had just tried those typical manipulative schemes from web novels, she might have been caught.

But self-harm... that's a whole different ballgame.

I needed to pack my things.

I turned and went back to my room, pulled out a suitcase, and neatly folded all my valuables inside. For the larger items, I paid extra for movers to take them that night.

Another sleepless night.

When I closed the suitcase, it was already 9:30 AM.

I instinctively touched my lower abdomen.

This baby... I couldn't keep it.

After a long sigh, I picked up my phone and scheduled an abortion for tomorrow afternoon.

After doing all that, I was just about to open the door and head downstairs to get something to eat.

Click.

Julian was back.

He seemed utterly exhausted, his voice thick with fatigue.

"Aurora, Chloe's emotional state is very unstable right now. The doctor said we need to avoid any triggers."

"This mansion... you can't stay here anymore."

With that, Julian habitually reached for his checkbook in his pocket.

"I'll give you a sum of money. You can move out for a while. Later, when..."

"No."

It was the first time I had ever refused Julian's money.

His hand, poised to tear the check, froze. He looked up at me, startled. Then he frowned, impatiently increasing the offer.

"Not enough?"

"I'll add another two million. Just be good, don't..."

I reached out and stopped his hand before he could write again.

"No."

"Julian Thorne, what I mean is—let's break up."

"Break up?"

For the first time, Julian looked at me with a strange, unfamiliar gaze, as if mocking my presumption. He scoffed.

"You're willing to do that? Willing to give up my money?"

"Alright, stop messing around. Did you see something new you want? A car, a house, or maybe a designer bag or jewelry? Just be good, and I'll..."

He hadn't finished speaking when I grabbed my suitcase.

And for the first time, I met Julian's gaze head-on and pushed back.

"I know that the good life I've had was really thanks to Chloe, because I looked like her. Now the real woman is back, and she's gone to such extremes. I can't really... push her over the edge, can I?"

"More importantly, Julian Thorne, I don't want to be treated like a plaything anymore."

"I want to reclaim my humanity."

With those words, I pulled my suitcase and walked towards the door.

Julian, probably never having been defied or dismissed by me like this before, roared with anger.

"Aurora Stone, you dare to refuse me? What right do you have?"

"Do you have any idea how many people would kill for the chance to stay by my side? I'm giving you one last chance. Come back! Take the check. I can pretend I didn't hear any of that crazy talk."

"Don't make me say it again."

I stopped, completely ignoring Julian's hostile tone.

Instead, I smiled.

"Julian Thorne, thank you for these past years. I truly liked the new name you gave me."

"Wishing you 'peace every year,' Julian. Goodbye!"

With that, I left the mansion without looking back.

Julian, predictably, didn't try to stop me. Instead, he stormed back to the hospital.

In the hospital room, Chloe was propped up on the bed, clearly pleased that I had been "sensible" enough to break up.

However, seeing Julian looking so absent-minded, she was a little displeased.

She opened her mouth to complain of pain, wanting to draw his attention back.

Just then—

Knock, knock, knock.

The hospital room door was gently tapped. It was a strange doctor.

He seemed very savvy, smiling obsequiously at Julian.

"Mr. Thorne, it's like this. I'm Dr. Evans, Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at our hospital."

"Ms. Stone's last prenatal check-up appointment expired. Since you're here today, I rushed over to ask if you'd like me to rebook one for her. I assure you, we'll get her the best obstetricians in the city!"

Julian froze, as if he hadn't understood what the doctor was saying.

He instinctively asked,

"What?"

Dr. Evans realized his slip and quickly smiled, congratulating him.

"Oh dear, my big mouth. She probably wanted to surprise you, and I accidentally let it slip. This is wonderful news! During her last check-up, Ms. Stone was found to be pregnant, so she booked a comprehensive prenatal check. Don't worry, everything looks good."

"Congratulations, Mr. Thorne, you're going to be a father!"

"The baby is six weeks old!"