Chapter 3

3

Right after I sent the message, my phone rang, snapping me out of my thoughts.

It was Garrett, his voice commanding and cold.

"Come downstairs. We're going to Kylie's show tonight. Make sure you dress properly."

Before I could answer, he hung up.

Thinking I could use this chance to discuss the divorce after the show, I headed down.

When he saw me, Garrett handed me the half-used scar cream, his tone pretending to care.

"Here, I brought the cream back. Did you put any on your wound?"

"Yes, I'm fine now."

I didn't take the leftover cream Kylie had used, and Garrett brushed it off carelessly.

"Good. You brought this on yourself by insisting on getting that surgery anyway."

My breath caught, but I managed a faint smile. "Yeah, it was rough."

Back then, my right leg was burned beyond recognition, covered in deep, uneven scars.

The pain of skin grafting and scar revision on such a large area was no less agonizing than the fire itself.

Skin being cut and stitched again made the healing process excruciating.

Yet I had hidden my pain from Garrett, not wanting him to worry.

To him, my suffering was just me making trouble for myself.

As he drove, Garrett casually explained what had happened with Kylie earlier.

"That Braden really is a piece of trash. Thankfully, Kylie exposed him!"

"She was terrified, though, so I stayed by her side a bit longer. You don't mind, do you?"

I scrolled through my phone and replied smoothly, "Yeah, he sounds terrible."

"Of course I don't mind. You're her boss, it's only right that you support her."

Hearing my calm response, Garrett shot me an unreadable look.

He said nothing, checking his phone as Kylie texted him again.

He pulled over to buy drinks, returning with several iced sweet bobas and pastries.

Noticing my gaze, he passed one to me. "Didn't forget yours."

I stared at the label that read extra sweet with regular ice, about to say I couldn't drink it.

Misinterpreting my hesitation, Garrett pushed the straw in himself.

"Stop being dramatic. Drink it."

I forced myself to take a small sip, but my stomach began to cramp shortly after, so I stopped.

At the venue, Kylie rushed up to Garrett, whining about how nervous she was.

Garrett raised the pastry box, looking at her with pure tenderness.

"Don't worry. I brought your favorite sweet treats to help you relax. Let's go inside and eat."

Watching them, the tiny flicker of warmth I felt earlier vanished completely.

It turned out Kylie was the one who used sweets to calm her nerves before a show.

Tonight's theme was a swimwear runway, and the show hadn't started yet.

Garrett told me to wander around, but the sharp pain in my abdomen grew worse.

Unable to bear it, I found the two of them flirting in the lounge.

My face was pale as paper. "Garrett, can you take me to the hospital?"

Annoyed by the interruption, Garrett scowled. "What kind of drama are you pulling now?"

"Kylie's walk is about to start. How could I possibly leave!"

The fashion show was hosted at a secluded mountain resort, and I was in no condition to drive.

I took a deep breath and pleaded, "I'm pregnant, and my stomach hurts really bad..."

Kylie chimed in, tears brimming in her eyes as she forced a frail smile.

"Garrett, take her to the hospital first. It's okay if you miss my show."

Seeing her cry, Garrett wiped her tears lovingly and roared at me.

"Gwen, have you lost all your shame? You're making up lies like this now?"

"You couldn't get pregnant for years, and now you're suddenly pregnant right when I ask you to watch a show?"

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