Chapter Four
690 Words
Rain poured heavily outside the apartment windows.
Elizabeth sat quietly on the couch while Ethan cooked in the tiny kitchen as rain poured heavily outside the apartment window.
Ethan was making noodles. The smell of instant noodles filled the room. The dish was simple, ordinary but somehow carried more warmth than the mansion she had left behind.
“You should eat properly now, you're pregnant,” Ethan said while placing the bowl before her.
Elizabeth slowly wrapped both hands around the warm bowl and dug into it. As she ate, Ethan noticed the emotions on her face.
“You still love him,” he asked.
Elizabeth was quiet. Ethan smiled bitterly.
“I honestly hate that guy,” he added.
That almost made Elizabeth laugh.
“He’s not completely terrible.”
Ethan looked at her like she lost her mind.
“Elizabeth, the man who divorced you.”
“Yes.”
“He publicly embarrassed you for years.”
Elizabeth stayed silent.
“He emotionally neglected you.”
Ethan exhaled heavily.
“And somehow you’re still defending him.”
Then finally whispered:
“Because loving someone doesn’t suddenly disappear overnight.”
The room went silent again as Elizabeth continued her meal.
At the Smith Estate, Richard entered the master bedroom. The room felt different. Elizabeth’s favorite books were gone from the shelf.
Her perfume scent had faded slightly. Even the flowers she normally replaced every week were beginning to die.
As he loosened his tie, his eyes landed on the dressing table. The framed wedding photo was missing.
“Aaron.”
The head servant rushed in instantly.
“Yes, sir?”
“Where’s the photo?”
Aaron hesitated nervously.
“Madam took it before leaving.”
Richard stared at the empty space for several seconds. That photo mattered to Elizabeth more than anything. Even during their worst fight, she protected it carefully.
“So why take it now? She really left…”
The words came out quietly before he realized it.
Aaron lowered his head silently. After years serving the couple, he knew something was wrong now.
Richard walked toward the closet, Elizabeth’s side was completely empty.
“You can leave.” he dismissed Aaron.
As he dismissed Aaron, his phone rang suddenly.
It was his mother.
“What now?”
“Tomorrow night,” Mrs. Smith said firmly. “The Harrison family will attend dinner. Selena will also be there.”
“I’m not interested.”
“You need to move on publicly before gossip starts.”
“I said no.”
“That girl has already embarrassed this family enough.” His mother’s tone sharpened.
“Elizabeth never embarrassed anyone.”
There was silence on the other side of the call .
“So now you’re defending her?” Mrs. Smith laughed coldly afterward.
Richard ended the call without another word.
Why would everyone not stop talking about Elizabeth? Why the insult all the time?
The next morning, Elizabeth stepped out of the clinic after another check-up. She held the ultrasound image carefully in her hand.
Suddenly, a black luxury car stopped near the sidewalk as she walked down the road.
Elizabeth froze immediately. Her body recognized that car before her mind could process it. It was Richard's car.
Richard stepped out of the car as the door opened slowly.
“Where have you been? I've been hell worried about you.”
Elizabeth’s fingers tightened around the ultrasound image as she shoved it behind her back.
“What’s that?” Richard asked as he noticed her awkward movement.
“What are you hiding?”
“Nothing.”
“Elizabeth.”
The way he called her name made tension rise instantly.
He noticed the hospital logo on the file she was holding as he stepped closer.
“You’re sick?”
“I’m fine.” Elizabeth quickly shook her head.
“Then why are you here?”
She stayed silent.
“I asked you a question.” Richard’s patience snapped out immediately.
Elizabeth looked up at him and, for the first time in her life, she talked back at him.
“You don’t get to question me anymore, Richard.”
- Writer
