He Promised Me Forever, Then Chose Her

Chapter 7 She Chose to Leave

Vivian was rushed to the Vale Private Medical Center, the Vale family's private hospital. Adrian stayed by her side the entire time, with Lucas never leaving her.

When Julian arrived at the Vale Estate to find Elara, she had already finished an entire bottle of whiskey. She was clearly drunk, letting out a bitter, self-mocking laugh. Just as she reached for a second bottle, Julian caught her wrist.

"Don't drink anymore," he said softly, his voice carrying a trace of concern.

"You've misunderstood me," Elara replied, her voice unsteady. "I'm not drinking for him. I'm drinking for my son." Her eyes were red and swollen, as if she had already cried herself empty.

"I understand," Julian said in a low voice. "I really do."

"No, you don't." Elara shook her head and stepped back. "Do you know what Lucas said to me just now? He told me to get lost. He said I took his father away, that I was the reason Vivian got hurt."

Lucas's weak yet cutting words echoed in her mind like a curse. "If anything happens to Vivi and her baby, I'll never forgive you. You're a terrible mother."

It felt like a nightmare she couldn't wake up from. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't escape it. The fear was suffocating.

"Elara," she whispered, her voice breaking, "what did you do wrong? Why is everyone abandoning you?"

"You did nothing wrong. It's them," Julian said. He could no longer hold back his emotions. He pulled her into his arms, holding her as if she might break apart at any moment.

"I'll help you," he said, his voice trembling. "Just listen to me, leave this place."

After a long silence, a tear slipped down her cheek. She finally nodded.

"I want to leave," she said softly. "Julian… help me. Help me get out of here. I never want to come back."

******

In the days that followed, Adrian was completely overwhelmed. The doctors confirmed that Vivian was pregnant.

But now, he hesitated. That was his child. Yet keeping the child meant leaving behind undeniable proof of his betrayal.

His thoughts drifted back to that night when he had carried Vivian out in front of everyone. At the time, it had been an emergency. He hadn't had time to think. But now, he realized Elara must have seen everything.

And he had no idea how to explain it to her. What frustrated him even more was that Elara hadn't called him once, not even to ask a single question.

He was so agitated he felt like smashing his phone. Did she really have nothing to ask? Was she not even a little jealous? Not even curious who that woman was?

Countless questions filled his mind, yet his pride kept him from reaching out. And so, the two of them remained in a silent standoff, neither willing to make the first move.

In the end, Adrian asked Julian to tell Elara that he would be away on a business trip for several weeks.

Elara simply replied that she understood, and nothing more, which only made Adrian even more irritated.

Vivian remained unconscious for nearly a week. During that time, Adrian could have hired someone to take care of her; but in his stubborn mood, he didn't return home.

Instead, he stayed at the hospital with Lucas. He kept checking his phone over and over again. Every time it lit up, he would open it instantly. But it was never her. Disappointment settled heavily in his chest.

Finally, a doctor knocked and entered the room cautiously. "Mr. Vale," the doctor asked, "are you still planning to terminate the pregnancy?"

Adrian let out a cold laugh. "No," he said. "Keep the child. Take good care of her."