Chapter 2

2.

When I came to, Chase was sitting by the bed, looking incredibly tense.

Seeing me open my eyes, he scrambled to call the doctor.

Hearing the genuine panic in his voice made me feel a bit dazed.

Since Lana reappeared, I hadn't seen him worry about me like this.

The doctor finished the examination and spoke in a professional tone.

"Since you're pregnant, you need to avoid overexerting yourself. Rest is key. No major emotional swings. Family members need to..."

I tuned out the rest. All I could think about was that I was pregnant.

My hand instinctively moved to my stomach. There was a little life inside me.

Maybe God saw how miserable I was and sent me a little gift.

After the doctor left, a smile actually touched Chase's face.

"Skye, I'm going to be a father!"

It suddenly hit me that if I divorced him, the baby would grow up in a broken home.

I grew up with a single parent, and I didn't want that for my child.

Looking at Chase's expectant face, my resolve to leave began to waver.

But right then, Lana's custom ringtone went off.

When he answered, her panicked voice leaked through the speaker.

"Chase, my heart is racing so fast. I'm scared."

Chase bolted upright, ready to run out the door.

At the threshold, he paused, his voice tight with urgency.

"Lana isn't feeling well. I need to go check on her."

"But I need someone here too, Chase..."

Before I could finish, he cut me off with an impatient groan.

"You have doctors and nurses here! Lana is all alone at home. Stop using your pregnancy to be dramatic!"

Seeing his irritation, I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"I get it."

Chase actually looked stunned for a second, his brow furrowing.

"Skye, what kind of game are you playing now?"

I looked at him calmly, my voice flat.

"Lana shouldn't be alone. Go to her."

Chase gave me a long, searching look before spinning around and leaving the room.

That night, the doctor came by for rounds and asked where my husband was. He said I shouldn't be left alone.

I stared blankly for a few seconds before saying, "That man isn't my husband."

Between me and Lana, Chase's scale would never tip in my direction.

I should have learned this long ago. I was just stubborn, refusing to let go of six years of history.

Chase returned the next morning while I was packing my things to discharge myself.

He set a bag of takeout on the table and waved me over.

"Lana had nightmares all night. I couldn't leave her. Try to understand."

I gave him a simple, "Okay."

Chase walked over, took my hand, and led me to the table.

"Stop acting out. Eat some breakfast. If you won't eat, the baby has to!"

I looked at the greasy bowl of beef noodles topped with chili oil. A wave of nausea hit me instantly.

"Chase, get that away from me!"

Seeing my reaction, he quickly moved the food, looking confused.

"Is this morning sickness? Lana said her sister craved beef noodles when she was pregnant, so I went out of my way to get this for you."

I wiped a stray tear from the corner of my eye and said coldly, "Thanks for the thought, but I can't eat it."

With that, I grabbed my papers and headed to the billing desk.

Chase took the forms from me, telling me to sit and rest while he handled it.

I hadn't slept well and was exhausted, so I let him go.

But I sat there for over an hour, and Chase never came back.

I pulled out my phone to call him, but he didn't pick up.

That's when I saw a post Lana had made ten minutes ago.

"You are forever my rock."

The photo showed Chase wearing an apron, chopping vegetables in her kitchen.

I calmly tapped the heart icon on the post and called an Uber to take me home.