Chapter 9
Ethan Vance’s gaze lingered on her face.
She was calm.
Since everything happened, she hadn’t made a scene with him even once.
Compared with Lana Reed, she was the complete opposite—
always calm, always gentle.
Something in Ethan’s chest tightened as he met her restrained gaze.
He couldn’t help wondering—had he gone too far with her…?
After all, she had saved his life.
Out in the hospital corridor, Claire Lane steadied herself against the wall as she walked.
Passing the VIP ward, she heard a girlish laugh from inside.
Through the half‑open door,
Ethan Vance was bent over, tying Lana Reed’s shoes.
“Honey, you’re so good to me.”
“Of course. I’m only good to my wife.”
He kissed the slight, still‑flat curve of Lana’s belly.
On the whiteboard in their room, a pregnancy checklist was written out:
-
Remind Lana to take her pregnancy‑stabilizing meds every day.
-
Walk with Lana every day.
-
Do prenatal bonding with Lana every day.
A loving mom and dad, and a baby already showered with anticipation.
Their happiness stabbed at Claire’s heart.
A cramp seized her lower abdomen.
As if the child inside already knew it wasn’t welcome.
Ethan’s love—and indifference—couldn’t have been clearer.
Fortunately, she didn’t love him anymore.
Lana turned and spotted Claire at the door and wore the proud smile of a victor.
Claire quickened her pace past their room.
Before she realized it, tears were streaming down her face.
She’d decided—she didn’t want this baby.
An un‑wanted child.
A child without a whole family.
She wouldn’t bring him into an imperfect world.
She stroked her belly.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
She immediately scheduled a procedure with the doctor.
The surgery was set for a week later.
After discharge, Claire went to the small apartment to pack.
That one‑bedroom place was crammed with memories of her and Ethan Vance.
Everything in pairs.
His life left traces everywhere.
She boxed up his things and threw them out, then started on her own.
She was going to emigrate and could take very few things with her
For two straight days she cleared it all.
At last, the apartment stood empty.
The hospital called Claire back for a work handover.
She didn’t expect to run into Lana Reed and Ethan Vance there.
Lana insisted Claire was her attending physician.
No one at the hospital could manage her.
“Dr. Claire, we know you’ve resigned, but…”
“This patient refuses other doctors and demands you continue treating her.”
When Lana saw Claire, she stroked her flat belly with one hand.
“You should attend me twenty‑four seven.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Vance. I can’t do that.”
They had smashed her necklace.
She had no leverage left, no reason to stay.
“I don’t care. You’re just a dog I picked. You’ll listen.”
She looked to Ethan, waiting for him to take her side.
His expression shifted.
Claire wouldn’t spare him a glance, and somehow that irritated him.
He didn’t like her indifference—her disregard.
“If you want your whole department laid off, go ahead and refuse.”
Silence slammed down.
Colleagues turned pleading eyes toward her—as if to say, “Claire, please—help us.”
Guilt rose hot in Claire’s chest.
Her colleagues were being dragged into this because of her.
Ethan would do anything for Lana.
Seeing Claire say nothing,
Ethan took out his phone and dialed.
“Terminate the OB department at Yue Kang Hos—”
“Wait.”
Claire gritted her teeth and nodded.
“I’ll do it.”
Only then did Ethan hang up, satisfied.
Claire followed Ethan and Lana back to the mountaintop villa.
