Chapter 4 Bittersweet News

Ella's heartbeat quickened, with both shock and joy.

She slowly raised her hand and rested it over her abdomen, rubbing it gently,her expression turning calm and serious at the same time.

Even if Austin was no longer by her side, she could raise this child on her own.

"Doctor, what should Ella be aware of regarding her current condition?" Sarah asked, standing beside the hospital bed after recovering from her initial shock.

Ella immediately jumped in with her own question. "Can I leave the hospital today?"

The doctor's face grew solemn as he lowered his gaze to the medical report in his hand. 

He answered Ella first, then instructed Sarah. "There aren't any major issues preventing discharge, but her body is in a very weak state. She needs proper rest. There's a significant risk of miscarriage at any time."

Sarah gave a small nod, silently accepting the responsibility placed on her.

After the doctor left, Sarah assisted Ella with the discharge paperwork.

When they stepped out of the ward, Sarah supported Ella, her eyes filled with worry. "Are you certain you don't want to stay in the hospital a few more days?"

"No, I can't stand being cooped up in that room. The antiseptic smell is suffocating."

Sarah continued to support her as they walked slowly down the corridor, her brows drawn together in concern. "Does Austin know you're pregnant?"

She had heard how Austin had pressured Ella relentlessly about getting pregnant.

As Ella's friend, she couldn't help but feel protective.

Still, when Ella chose to marry Austin back then, Sarah had been powerless to change her decision.

"You were right, Sarah. Austin and I were never right for each other," Ella said.

The advice Sarah had given her years ago, which Ella had dismissed, now felt painfully prophetic after experiencing the harsh reality firsthand.

She finally understood how naive she had been.

Sarah stopped walking, looking at her friend with concern. "Ella?"

After taking a deep breath, Ella looked at her, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm filing for divorce."

Sarah froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Divorce? Did Austin hurt you again?"

Ella did not respond.

"You know what I'm feeling right now? It's like following a book to what you think is going to be a happy ending, only to discover the author completely ruined the final chapter. I always thought that even if you weren't in love, you and Austin would at least have a comfortable life together."

Sarah's heart tightened as she looked at Ella’s thin and fragile figure. 

It was clear she had suffered greatly in this marriage.

Ella lowered her eyes, letting out a bitter sigh. "It's over now. He'll go his way, and I'll go mine. We're finished."

"Let me confront him and set things straight!" Sarah said, fuming with anger on Ella's behalf.

Ella grabbed her hand and shook her head. "I don't want to involve you into this complicated situation."

"This marriage has tormented you for so long, and divorce will bring even more pain. Are you certain about this?" Sarah asked, squeezing Ella's hand reassuringly.

She nodded firmly, her gaze unwavering.

"All right. No matter what choice you make, I’ll stand by you completely."

Sarah's immediate support warmed Ella's heart. 

Having a friend like her was something she deeply cherished.

As evening fell, darkness slowly spread across the sky, and a bright moon hung in the sky.

Ella entered the security code—0623—to unlock the mansion door. 

Austin had never changed the code, always using these four digits.

She had often wondered what they meant, but whenever she asked Austin, he never giving a clear answer.

She hesitated before pushing the door open, finding the interior empty. 

Moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting shadowy tree silhouettes across the floor.

Had Austin not come home yet?

The household staff was also absent.

After glancing around, she chose not to stay any longer.

She had only returned to gather her belongings.

Ella went upstairs to the master bedroom, which contained all her personal items and everyday clothes. 

Since she had already made up her mind to separate, she wanted to leave without anything tying her down.

Entering the bedroom, she saw the familiar king-sized bed.

Ella opened the closet and saw Austin's clothes.

While the housekeeper typically handled household chores, Ella had always insisted on doing them herself.

After staring at the closet for a few seconds, she quickly began packing her clothes.

There was nothing worth lingering over.

She packed her clothes, skincare products, jewelry, and makeup into two large suitcases.

Once both suitcases were filled, Ella placed the prepared divorce agreement neatly on the bedside table.

Perhaps from her years as Mrs. Raymond, she had become capable of managing everything with precision,from daily household matters to electrical issues, broken appliances, garden maintenance, and financial reports. 

She had arranged everything within a single day and left it all behind for Austin.

This was her farewell.

Worried that Austin might overlook the divorce papers, she decided to inform him directly.

While waiting for her rideshare outside the mansion, Ella called Austin.

He answered before the first ring had finished.

"I've prepared the divorce papers and detailed records of various household matters. They're on the nightstand. When you have time, please sign them."

There was only a faint crackling sound on the line, followed by a silence that stretched on endlessly.

Ella thought the call had disconnected and checked her screen.

Seeing it was still connected, she continued, "I hope you can sign them soon so we can make a clean break."

The man on the other end cleared his throat, his voice unexpectedly softer than usual.

"You went to the hospital?"

Ella froze for a moment.

He rarely showed concern for her. Why would he suddenly ask about this?

She didn't answer his question, instead pressing on. "Austin, I'm trying to discuss something important."

"You need to take better care of yourself. I've given you so many supplements, yet you're still so weak."

Austin continued speaking, almost as if he were talking to himself rather than to her.

Her patience was wearing thin, and she was on the verge of ending the call.

"There's a gala event. You'll attend as my companion."

His voice was calm but carried a tone of command rather than a request.

It was clear he wasn't asking for her agreement but expecting her compliance.

Perhaps in their relationship, Austin had grown accustomed to her countless compromises.

He assumed she had no reason to refuse.

Ella remained silent, thinking about how to reject him.

"We'll set aside the divorce for now. I have work to deal with. We'll discuss it when I return."

He hung up abruptly.

Ella found it darkly amusing.

Even their divorce seemed to require his permission and timing.

A heavy sense of suffocation settled over her.

Her hand fell weakly to her side, feeling drained.

Eventually, Ella decided to attend the gala after all.

She left her luggage at Sarah's place since she didn't have any suitable formal wear of her own.

Considering she would be attending as Austin's wife, she couldn't embarrass him.

After careful thought, she applied makeup and wore a gown Austin had previously bought for her before heading to the event.

When the car came to a stop, the grand hotel ballroom came into view before her.

Luxury, grandeur, and an unmistakable aura of wealth and high society emanated from every corner.

Ella glanced at her reflection in the car window..

Her gown was a runway custom piece, and the gold tassel earrings complemented her golden spaghetti-strap dress perfectly. 

The metal chain draped across her chest highlighted a sense of refined elegance.

Taking a steady breath to calm herself, she strode forward.

As her high heels clicked against the marble floor, Ella noticed Austin in the center of the lavish hotel, holding a glass of red wine, engaged in conversation.

Just as she was about to approach him, a graceful, petite figure blocked her view, slipping her arm with Austin in a gesture of extreme intimacy, her face radiant with joy.

Ella came to an abrupt stop, her expression stiffening.

It was Judith.