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Had he discovered the pregnancy?
I took a steadying breath.
No, I'd been careful, if he finds out, I'm gonna lose my child!
I answered the call.
Ethan's voice was heavy.
“Liv. Grandpa's dying.”
After hanging up, I frantically searched the news.
I'd been avoiding San Francisco society gossip for months.
There it was, from two weeks ago, ETHAN GRANT'S AFFAIR! NEW FLING PREGNANT?
A photo showed Ethan helping Evelyn from a private clinic. Protective. Smiling.
Their upcoming wedding had been major society news. This scandal was pure tabloid gold.
Ethan had issued a clarification, they were divorced when it happened.
The article noted that Grandpa Grant had collapsed after the news broke. He'd been in the ICU ever since.
Now, doctors said he only had days left.
I touched my bump. Torn.
Going back risked everything.
But Grandpa had always loved me. I owed him a goodbye.
After days of internal debate, I bought a plane ticket.
I wore a loose, flowing white sundress and checked my reflection in the full-length mirror.
The bump was concealed. It felt safe enough.
I flew back and went straight to the hospital.
I knocked softly on the door. From inside, I could heard weak crying inside.
A woman's voice, sharp and annoyed, snapped, “For God's sake, he's still alive! Stop it!”
The crying instantly stopped.
I knocked again.
Ethan opened the door. A flicker of light in his eyes quickly faded when he saw it was me.
He looked thinner, worn down by stress.
Inside the room were Mrs. Grant and Evelyn.
Evelyn's eyes were red-rimmed. She kept her head down.
I ignored her and went to the bedside.
Grandpa Grant ay there, an oxygen mask over his face, looking impossibly frail.
Just months ago, he had been so robust. Now he was a ghost of himself.
Tears pricked at my eyes.
Ethan whispered near my ear, “Liv, you should go rest. I'll call when he wakes.”
I shook my head. “I'll wait.”
Mrs. Grant came over and patted my shoulder. “That's a good girl. Grandpa always adored you.”
Felt my bony shoulder. Frowned. “Liv, you're skin and bone!”
Ethan and Evelyn both looked over at her exclamation.
A wave of panic hit me. “It's just… adjusting to the new city.”
Mrs. Grant sighed. “Come back to the house. You're still family.”
Evelyn visibly stiffened. Ethan's posture tightened.
Before Evelyn could form a retort, Mrs. Grant added, “I'm sure Evelyn won't mind.”
I cut in quickly, “I'm fine now.”
Ethan started to say something, but Grandpa stirred faintly in his bed, cutting him off.
