Chapter 21

He let go of his hand, not exerting any force. However, I felt a searing pain extending from my chin all the way to my heart.

Even my toes were curling from the pain.

I had not yet recovered from getting drenched in the rain. The sudden confrontation and him abruptly letting go of me made me slump into his embrace.

His strong arms from the years of fitness training held me steady. I could clearly feel his muscles flexing as I leaned into his embrace. My energy was running low, and I did not wish to be entangled in a fight with him. So, I closed my eyes.

"Well, someone's gotten bolder. You even know how to play dead now!" His mocking voice rang in my ears. The anger in his tone was still apparent.

He tapped my cheeks repeatedly, and it was by no means gentle. However, I did not feel well and kept my eyes closed.

Perhaps he had regretted his actions, he carried me and brought me back to the bedroom after noticing that I did not respond.

After he put me on the bed, there were no discernible movements.

I thought he just could not be bothered with me. However, after some time I heard him calling Jared.

This sounded like he was asking Jared to come take a look at me.

So, he's not that heartless after all.

After about ten minutes, I fell asleep from the drowsiness. Still in a daze, I heard Jared talking.

"Ashton, you'd better think how you want to deal with the baby."

"It's getting late. You'd better head back and get some rest." Ashton sounded quite exasperated.

Sometimes I actually pitied Jared. He was a renowned doctor after all. How did he actually feel about being at Ashton's every beck and call?

I was all tuckered out from running around the whole day, so I fell asleep for good.

In the middle of the night, I could feel someone scooping me in an embrace. I tried to open my eyes but to no avail. I was just too tired.

The next day.

After I woke up, Ashton was no longer at the villa. It did not require a genius to guess that he had gone to visit Rebecca.

I had made an appointment with Caleb the day before and headed straight to the hospital after washing up.

Martha had been waiting at the hospital entrance after she had gotten the news about my appointment today. At the sight of me, she asked in a worried tone, "Are you sure about aborting the baby? Aren't you going to discuss it with Mr. Fuller first?"

I knew she was just looking out for me. Smiling, I entered the hospital together with her. "It's going to be okay. Don't worry about me."

Caleb had arranged a doctor for the surgery. I did all the basic prior checkups for the surgery. After getting the green light, I got into an operation theater.

Martha was worried sick, and she had not given up on advising me against the abortion. "Mrs. Fuller, even though you're young, this is going to take a toll on your body. Have you thought it through?"

I nodded. It was time for the surgery. I patted her arm and comforted her, "It's going to be alright."

I followed a nurse into the operating theater. The doctor was a middle-aged woman, and she tried to calm my nerves. "Mrs. Fuller, we're going to go with general anesthesia here. You're going to be unconscious right after, and there's going to be no pain. Don't worry!"

I nodded. Everything was just as she said. It did not take me long before I drifted off.

I was on a hospital bed when I woke up.

Ashton was giving me the dead eyes again. His thin lips were pursed. The temperature in the room and his cold, hard gaze were sending chills down my spine. The hint of fury in his eyes did not help either.

I had never seen him like this and my heart sank. Subconsciously, I reached out to him but he flung my hand away forcefully.

I parted my lips to say something but could not bring myself to say it. Averting my gaze from his death glare, I closed my eyes and decided to keep quiet.

"Scarlett, you're really heartless." He turned around to leave afterward.

This was the best way for things to end. I sighed as I watched his silhouette getting out of my sight.

"Aren't you afraid of Mr. Fuller hating you for this?" A deep voice came from the door. It was Caleb. He had my medical records in his hands, checking on my condition. "I mean, he is the child's father after

all. You can fool him once but you can't fool him forever. The cat will be out of the bag sooner or later."

I smiled and sat right up on the hospital bed. Taking the medical records from his hand, I glanced at my stats. Everything seemed fine to me. "No more next time. Thank you for keeping up the act up for me."

I prepared to get off the bed after keeping my medical records. However, I was stopped by Caleb. "Why don't you keep your story consistent? When have you ever seen a woman up and running not even half an hour after having an abortion?"

Well, he was right.

I lay back down on the bed and said, "Well, Ashton is a careful person, and he's likely to send someone to check on my medical records, as well as to keep an eye on me. I'd appreciate your help then, Dr. Ludwick."

His wrinkled face curled into a smile. Helplessly, he said, "Youngsters these days. Why do you guys have to come up with things like these? But since I've agreed to help you out with this, I'll make sure the rest of the story ties together."

I nodded and thanked him. "I believe that you will come up with something for Martha too." It was best not to let too many people in on the truth.