Chapter 5
Snapping back to reality, gave Colin‘ s social media post a casual like before promptly blocking both him and Siena. Out of sight, out of mind.
I made sure to live in comfort, staying in the most luxurious private hospital room, hiring a personal caregiver, and even securing a high–end nutritionist. If I had to heal, I would do it in style.
For days, Colin didn‘ t visit. I knew he was waiting for me to cave, to admit fault and beg him to come back. But I had no intention of feeding his ego anymore. In the meantime, I had my lawyer prepare two copies of the divorce papers. With a pen in hand, I signed them both and felt a sharp satisfaction as I neatly tucked them away.
Just as I was waiting for my lunch to be delivered, the door creaked open.
Nurse Nicole entered, looking uncomfortable. “Ms. Cromwell, the hospital just informed me that this room has been reserved for another patient. I’m afraid you” Il have to relocate.”
I blinked in surprise. “Didn’t you say this was the last private room available? Where do you expect me to go?”
“The only room left is a six–person ward.” She sighed.
A heavy silence filled the air.
Then, the nutritionist entered, looking just as uneasy. “Ms. Cromwell, I apologize, but someone has offered me ten times the amount to care for another patient. Even though I don’t want to do this, my family depends on this income… I m sorry.”
He handed me a bowl of soup, guilt evident in his eyes. “This is your lunch. Since I’m breaking our contract, I won’t charge you for it.”
My expression darkened. Gritting my teeth, I intoned coldly, “I’ll pay you twenty times. Focus solely on preparing my meals and ensuring my health.”
His eyes widened in shock.
Before he could respond, Colin‘ s mocking voice echoed from the hallway. “Eloise, with how sturdy you are, do you really need all this extra nutrition?”
He sauntered into the room, his face twisted with arrogance. “Siena‘ s always been delicate, and now she’s pregnant. Don‘ t make this harder than it needs to be.”
Siena followed closely behind, cradling her belly with a sickeningly sweet smile. “Colin, it’s fine. Don’t argue with Eloise,” she purred, though the challenge in her eyes was clear as she glanced at
- me.
Her gaze shifted to the bowl of soup. “This looks good.”
Like a well–trained pet, Colin grabbed the bowl from the nutritionist and handed it to Siena without hesitation.
Something inside me snapped, and before I knew it, I had pushed myself up, fury surging through my
veins.
“Colin, that’s mine! Give it back!”
It was just soup, a trivial thing I could easily replace, but the principle burned deep. This was my space, my boundary, and I wouldn’t let them trample over it.
Colin didn’t even spare me a glance. ‘Siena s pregnant. Do you want to fight over a bowl of soup? Have some decency!”
Then, as if offering me a magnanimous gift, he added, “But if you move out of this room, I’ll consider letting the nutritionist stay on to care for you.”
“Even if you end up in the shared ward, I’ll make sure someone looks after you. After all, you‘ re still my wife. I won’t let you suffer too much.”
His words were a slap in the face. My nails dug into my palms as rage welled up inside me. My chest tightened, and I began coughing violently, my face flushing red.
Nicole, unable to stand it any longer, shoved Colin aside. “How dare you ask what’s wrong? Are you blind? Can t you see you‘ re the reason she’s like this? You heartless bastard!”
She faced him with fire in her eyes. “Who’s your real wife here? You haven’t checked on Ms. Cromwell once since she’s been here, but you ve been doting on Ms. West like she’s the
queen.”
You’ve taken her doctor, now her room, her nutritionist… Anyone looking from the outside would think Siena’s your wife!”
Colin s face flushed with anger and embarrassment, but he stubbornly defended himself. “Siena s pregnant. Isn’t it natural that I take care of her?”
Nicole s voice shook with fury, her eyes welling up with tears. “Pregnant, pregnant, pregnant. Is that all that matters to you?
She paused, the weight of her next words heavy. “Your wife is pregnant too, Mr. Colin. How can you not notice that at all? And yet, you bring your mistress here to bully her. Do you have any conscience
left?”
Colin froze, his eyes wide as if the weight of Nicole’s words finally hit him. His lips parted, struggling to form a response, but nothing came out.
I could see the cracks forming in his usual confident facade.
After a long while, his gaze turned to me, a flicker of hope crossing his face.
“Is it true?” His voice cracked. “Are you really pregnant?
I looked at him, unable to stop the bitter laugh that escaped my lips. The irony was too perfect.
“Yes, Colin,” I said, watching as his eyes lit up. But before he could celebrate, 1 delivered the final blow. But the baby is gone.”
I let the words sink in, twisting the knife. “Your child is dead.”
ghastly pale, and the last remnants of strength seemed to drain from his body.
