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Forty minutes later, when I finally arrived at the hospital, the baby was already gone.
After emergency surgery, I was wheeled out at 4 a.m. Til then the doctors still couldn’t reach anyone in my family.
My parents were traveling; flights were grounded in the typhoon. I didn’t want to scare them—they’re old, elders can’t handle shocks.

With no choice, I called Ethan’s parents, telling them he was with Sophie, and that I had miscarried alone, and couldn’t reach him.
Ethan, why should I endure this pain alone? You should face it too!
His parents panicked, rushing over by 6 a.m. I didn’t know what they said to him.
Ethan didn’t show up until 10 a.m. Even when he did show up, Sophie was with him.
Seeing me, he scowled, “What happened? You couldn’t even keep a child at home!”
His mother, furious, slapped him.

“You knew things were at risk, and she was on bed rest! Where were you last night? If you’d stayed, would this have still happened?”
Hearing this, Sophie said timidly, “Auntie, it’s my fault. I had a cold, no water at home, so I asked Ethan to come over. It’s on me!”
Slap! His mother gave her a slap too.
“Sophie Lane, don’t you have your own parents? In this weather, you sent my son to fetch water and care for you while his wife’s in the hospital?”

Sophie sobbed, “I didn’t mean to! How could I know?”
“Get out! Stay away from my son!”
Sophie stomped, covering her face with her hands, and ran off crying.
“Sophie!”
Ethan wanted to go after her but was stopped by his father. “Step out, and I’ll break your legs!”
Ethan stayed. I felt a slight sense of relief.
But seeing him, my heart stayed cold.
His parents sent him to check with the doctor and buy food and drinks.
“I’ll pay the bill,” his mother said. “Dear, get hot water!”
Then she turned and said to me, “Emily, wait here. I’ll be back in a second.”
I nodded, comforted. At least there was some people who stayed seasonable.
His parents longed for this baby. We had struggled to conceive, finally succeeding after treatment, only to face miscarriage risks.
Losing the child, I now had no hope left.
I clutched my stomach. Hours ago, a life, my own blood was here. Now gone.
Ethan, how could you say those cruel words?
I needed to rethink this marriage over again.
Thirty minutes had passed, no one returned.
Ethan might be busy, his mom might be delayed, but his dad fetching water shouldn’t take this long.
Post-surgery, I was weak but could still move. Clutching my stomach, I stuggled to the door.
At the end of the corridor, I saw a familiar floral dress—his mom.
I approached to call her but overheard, “You promised not to contact with her anymore! One sweet word and you couldn’t think straight!”
“Now the Harpers will complain!”
She fumed, “Emily’s so weak. We opposed this marriage in the first place, but you insisted. Now you don’t cherish her, and she can’t even keep a child!”
“Ethan, I’m warning you, one more time, and I’m done! Married this long, no kids—end it with her!”
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