His Secretary Takes Charge

Chapter 4

Before leaving, the young woman turned back to Ethan with a grin.

"I'll always support you two. You have to get married!"

As soon as they were gone, Ethan looked over at me and scooped some ice cream onto my plate like nothing had happened.

"Sweetheart, don't take it to heart," he said casually. "Chloe's Instagram series, The Boss Falls in Love with Me, is going viral. It's great PR for the company. Chloe's over the moon about it. If I ruin her fun in private, she'll sulk for days."

I didn't even flinch.

"You don't need to explain. I don't care."

Right then, a sharp, twisting pain ripped through my lower abdomen. I gripped my stomach, my face going pale.

On the drive home, Ethan's phone rang. It was Chloe.

"Mr. Carter," she cooed through the speaker, "could you come pick me up from the pool? I'm in kind of a... revealing swimsuit, and it's awkward trying to grab a cab. Please? Pretty please?"

Ethan chuckled, entertained.

"Alright, alright. I'm on my way."

After hanging up, he reached over and brushed his lips against my hand.

"Let's go together, baby. That way you won't overthink it."

"Ethan," I said through gritted teeth, "you can't go. My stomach, it's really bad. You need to take me to the hospital. Now."

His face tightened with irritation.

"Grace, seriously? Can you stop being so dramatic? I thought letting you tag along would help your paranoia, but now you're pulling the sympathy card again?"

"This isn't an act!" I cried. "I'm in pain!"

"Oh, come on," he snapped. "It's not even convincing."

Then I felt it, a warm, wet sensation between my legs.

"I'm pregnant," I said, panicking. "And I'm bleeding. Ethan, this could be a miscarriage. Please. We have to go to the hospital now!"

His hands gripped the wheel. His eyes, cold and disbelieving.

"Pregnant? Are you really trying to use that now?"

"In four years of marriage," I said breathlessly, "have we ever used protection?"

"And yet, nothing happened! But now, just when I'm supposed to pick up Chloe, suddenly you're pregnant?" he shouted.

Furious, he slammed on the brakes.

"Get out."

I stared at him.

"You're throwing me out? In this condition?"

"You want the hospital so bad? Walk. I'm done wasting time, Chloe's waiting."

"Fine," I whispered, reaching for the door. But before I could open it, he grabbed my arm.

"I've been too soft with you. You're completely out of line."

I looked him dead in the eyes.

"Let's get a divorce, Ethan."

He froze.

"…Divorce?"

I nodded.

"Emily's already drafted the papers."

His grip loosened, and he stared at me like he didn't recognize me anymore.

"You're serious?" he muttered. "You really think anyone else would want a manipulative, pretentious woman like you?"

"I've thought it through. Goodbye, Ethan."

I reached for the door again, but this time, instead of stopping me, he stomped on the gas.

The sudden jolt threw me from the car.

I hit the pavement hard, pain crashing through every nerve as horrified screams echoed around me. Blood pooled beneath me, vivid and red, like spider lilies blooming from the concrete, spreading in slow, merciless waves.

And Ethan?

He walked away without so much as a glance back.

When I opened my eyes, I was lying in a hospital bed.

Emily stood by my side. Ethan's parents were there too, but not Ethan.

Mr. Carter was trembling with fury.

"I raised a monster," he growled. "How did my son become… this?"

Mrs. Carter's eyes were red and puffy.

"Why won't he answer his phone? Grace is in the hospital…"

Emily, quiet but firm, spoke up.

"What Ethan did wasn't just cruel. It's attempted murder. Grace, we should report him."

Mrs. Carter immediately rushed to my side, brushing my hair gently.

"Sweetheart, we're family. Every couple has their ups and downs. Ethan's a good boy, he'll come to his senses and apologize."

Before Emily could snap back, I stopped her.

"Emily… could you grab me something to eat? I'm starving."

She nodded and left the room, leaving me with Ethan's parents.

I sat up slowly, every movement aching.

"Mom, Dad," I said, voice low but steady. "I'm divorcing Ethan."

They both gasped.

"Grace… no," Mrs. Carter whispered, nearly collapsing onto the chair. "You can't. If the media finds out, "