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I shoved through the crowd to the bathroom,vomiting violently.
Was I pregnant?
A day earlier,I'd have been thrilled.A day later,I'd have get rid of it without hesitation.
Why today.
Ethan stood at the door."Brought you out once,and you're all fussy."
Coughing,I said,"Ethan,I think—"
"Whatever.Get home yourself.I'm going out later."
He cut me off impatiently,eager to leave.
Walking home in the cold alone,I opened the door,balloons with "Happy 8th Anniversary" written on them floating toward me.
Ethan texted:Not coming home tonight.
I bought a pregnancy test and took down the decorations.
I did by myself every year,but today felt strangely exhausting.
As I finished,Ethan returned.
"Phone.Let me see your phone."
I froze,thinking he knew the decorations were pricey and wanted to pay.
"No way.Why?"
I hid in the bathroom,test stick and phone on the counter.
A strange number sent a video.
The blonde was leaning on Ethan."I'll teach you how—say you want her phone.If it's clean,slip something dirty into it yourself.Guaranteed breakup."
Ethan laughed."No wonder they say blondes are gorgeous and clever—perfect for a gilded cage."
My mind blanked,but I was calm.
The test showed one line.
Not pregnant.
I felt like I'd been rescued from deep water,gasping for air.
Leaning on the wall,I handed Ethan the phone.
"Look.When you're done,we're over."
Everything was settled,except—
I looked down at my flat stomach.
Dazed,I arrived at the hospital per the text,only to be asked,"Ethan didn't come?"
I'd forgotten I meant to skip it.
But I was here now,and money was already spent.
"We broke up,"I said calmly."Just give me a normal checkup."
The doctor,embarrassed,completed my check up faster than ever."You're definitely pregnant."
Shock hit.My heart raced,but I thanked her politely,taking the report.
Funny—I had tried so hard for Ethan yet never succeed,but Noah...
I gave a bitter laugh,heading home.
Noah texted from a new number.
Girl,you at the hospital?
Something wrong?
No one there to care for you?
I'm coming.
My head pounded.I saw Ethan,agitated,outside my home.
I texted Noah:Just a routine checkup.Don't come.
He replied with a screenshot of a flight ticket.
My call back to him only showed he had turned off his ohone
Rubbing my temples,I tried sneaking past,but Ethan strode toward me.
"We had just broken up,and you're out partying?"
"Am I in your way?"
His hoarse voice felt distant,but his obsessive gaze was unchanged.
Like if he caught me,I'd never escape.
Once,I was enchanted.Now,I was calm.
"We're done.Why're you here?"
Ethan's lips tightened,staring at me like a judge.
"Getting my stuff."
"I paid half for this house.Why can't I come?"
He didn't know I was pregnant.
Relief washed over me.
"What'd you left behind?I'll grab it for you."
"As for the house..."
"Every girl you've had an affair with gets a share.If you think my eight years don't earn me half a co-owned house,send me the bill."
"I'll buy it."
