Chapter 6
A bone-deep chill crept up from the soles of her feet.
Chloe instinctively hid in the blind spot of their vision, trying to hear their conversation.
"Arthur, I was terrified when I started bleeding," Avery said pitifully.
Chloe could imagine Avery nestling happily in Arthur's arms.
"Thankfully the doctor said it was just some spotting. The baby is still healthy."
"But the doctor said you should spend more time with me, otherwise this little troublemaker will keep acting up."
Avery gazed at Arthur. Though his face remained cold, he allowed her to guide his hand to her stomach.
All men were fickle. She believed that as the baby grew, his feelings for her would deepen.
And if Chloe kept causing trouble, Arthur would tire of such an immature woman.
Standing in the corner, Chloe clenched her fists. The movement pulled at her sore arms, reminding her of the suffering she was enduring for Arthur's child.
Chloe stroked her stomach and whispered, "Baby, we can live just fine without a father, right?"
The fetus wasn't developed enough to respond with a little kick.
Thinking of the doctor's warning that she would need all her strength to keep this baby, a wave of pain washed over her.
Preserving this pregnancy would come at an enormous cost. She had been a caged canary in a cage for so long—adapting to the outside world would take considerable effort.
Arthur wouldn't be by her side anymore.
Even if he were willing, she wouldn't want her child to endure the same hardships she had experienced.
Chloe blinked back tears and spoke with determination, "Baby, we don't need a father. We'll be fine on our own."
"Mommy will give you everything she has."
Chloe felt her eyes burning as a mild cramping sensation spread through her abdomen.
Just as she was about to leave, Avery's saccharine voice rang out, "Chloe? What are you doing here?"
Chloe had no choice but to turn around and meet their eyes.
Avery leaned against Arthur, triumph gleaming in her gaze.
Arthur steadied Avery, his face dark as coal, his sharp eyes fixed on Chloe.
"Chloe, don't be angry. I sent that message so you'd know how I'm doing," Avery said, stroking her belly, her voice dripping with sweetness. "I know you're upset about the baby, but this child isn't just mine—it's Mr. Williams' baby."
"You love Mr. Williams so much. Shouldn't you consider what's best for his child?"
Using her feelings for Arthur to manipulate her?
"When I asked for a divorce, our relationship was already over," Chloe said steadily, looking at Avery.
Hearing Chloe's words, Avery felt a surge of triumph.
She hadn't even needed to push—Chloe had already surrendered.
If she could deliver this baby, securing her place in the Williams family was just a matter of time.
With this thought, Avery leaned further into Arthur's embrace, not noticing his slight step backward in disgust.
"As for your competitive games, don't try them with me. They won't work," Chloe said coldly. "Since childhood, you've taken everything from me by playing cute and clever. It's pathetic."
"Chloe, what are you saying? I'm just trying to help Mr. Williams. Are you blaming him?" Avery countered.
Chloe looked at Arthur.
Arthur's gaze locked onto her face. "Chloe, Avery's baby is important to both of us. Don't be foolish. If anything happens to this child, I'll be very upset."
Chloe stiffened, feeling as if ice water had been poured over her from head to toe.
"Are you suggesting I'm here to harm your child with Avery?"
How laughable, truly absurd!
"Why else would you be at the hospital, saying such things to Avery?" Arthur frowned.
"I've already compromised—Avery will leave the country after giving birth. You won't have to see her. Isn't that enough? Chloe, if there were a better option, I wouldn't have made this choice. You're smart—don't you understand?"
"Yes, I understand you," Chloe smiled sadly, her eyes no longer showing the dependence and affection they once held. "Arthur, you don't need to send Avery abroad anymore. I'll remove myself from the equation."
Chloe turned to leave.
Every second spent with them felt toxic.
"Chloe, wait."
A sharp pain shot through her arm.
Arthur's grip was powerful. Beads of cold sweat formed on Chloe's forehead as she whispered, "Arthur, you're hurting me."
Arthur came to his senses and released her wrist, guilt flashing in his eyes. He lowered his voice, "Come back with me. You can continue being Mrs. Williams. When this child is born, I'll announce that we've adopted it. No one will threaten your position."
"We've been through so much together, Chloe. You don't want to let go either, do you?"
"When the Williams family wanted to take you back and separate you from your mother, do you remember how you felt when you came to me, Arthur?" Chloe pulled her arm away and looked up at him.
Arthur's body tensed at her words.
Years ago, being forced to separate from his mother and return to the Williams family had been his deepest wound.
"Arthur, I don't want this child to experience that same separation. Let the baby's real mother take the position of Mrs. Williams."
"Let's get divorced."
After saying these words, as if she had used her last ounce of strength, Chloe pushed Arthur away.
Arthur's face contorted with pain. "Chloe, I'm thinking of the bigger picture—our future. If you leave me, what was the point of everything I've done? Besides, this child's situation is different from mine. I'll make sure they become a legitimate heir to the Williams family."
A legitimate heir to the Williams family.
"Arthur," Chloe's eyes welled with tears as she tilted her head back to keep them from falling. "Do you remember why I can't get pregnant?"
Arthur's gaze clouded momentarily, his eyes showing pain.
"To win that jewelry design contract, I went horseback riding with the Miller Group executives. Falling from that horse is why I can't have children."
By the end, Chloe's voice was choked with emotion.
She still remembered the horse's hoof striking her abdomen, the overwhelming pain that engulfed her.
She also remembered waking up in the hospital, Arthur promising that even without children, he would stay with her forever.
Time had passed, and those promises had become worthless.
Now he stood holding Avery, who carried his child, talking about the bigger picture.
Chloe smiled. "I don't regret our past. Let's end this with dignity."
"Jacob, take Avery away. I need to speak with Chloe."
Jacob nodded and led Avery away.
Avery left reluctantly, looking back repeatedly.
Once Avery had disappeared, Arthur pulled Chloe into his arms, just as he had countless times before, pressing her head against his chest.
The pain of the last few days and her aching arms blurred Chloe's vision.
Arthur's hand caressed her cheek, gently wiping away her tears.
"Chloe, just one year. In one year, after this child is born and I secure the inheritance, I'll give you anything you want. Okay?"
"During this year, if you'd like, you can travel the world. Didn't you always want to study in Milan? I'll book your tickets right away..."
In Arthur's warm embrace, Chloe felt as if she were trapped in a cold cellar.
"Arthur, are you saying that as long as I behave, everything will be just like before?"