Chapter 3

However, the official reason given was that everything had been staged by me - I had brought this upon myself.

It was because I was jealous, they claimed, that I had deliberately triggered the avalanche.

Not only did it waste public resources, but it also implicated innocent people.

It even tarnished the good reputation of the rescue team.

While claiming to smooth things over, every word pointed the blame at me.

To add credibility, they even released my marriage certificate with Granger.

How could a husband not save his own darling?

This move completely nailed me to the pillory of shame.

The online backlash, originally aimed at the rescue team, swept towards me.

My explanations were drowned out by the curses of internet users.

They even tracked down the hospital where I was staying and sent me a room full of white chrysanthemums.

Even the medical staff's looks towards me turned hostile.

As soon as my paid fees expired, they politely but firmly asked me to leave.

Faced with all this, I endured it silently, without much explanation.

Only on the day of my discharge did I unblock Granger and send him a message.

"Let's go to the registry office tomorrow and finalize the divorce."

He seized the moment my message was sent successfully and called me back.

"What? Finally can't take it anymore? You've got some nerve showing up! I'm telling you, I warned you long ago. You didn't listen to me, and now even if you beg me, it's useless!""If it weren't for Scarlett pleading on your behalf, and considering you're still pregnant, I would've called the cops on you already! Divorce? Don't you dare regret it later when the kid's crying for their daddy! Don't come begging me then! It'll be your fault if he grows up to be a fatherless bastard!"

Before I could speak, I had already hung up the phone.

Silently, I opened the local files on my phone and copied the recording from that day with Scarlett.

In my past life, I lost my phone in the chaos. This time around, with no one watching me, I managed to keep the evidence.

Early the next morning, I packed my things and headed straight to the registry office with my documents.

But when the time came, it was Scarlett who showed up.

"I told you before, you can't beat me. Your dear husband only loves me."

Looking at my flat stomach, she feigned surprise:

"Where's the little bastard gone? Poor thing, killed by its own father in the last life, and now killed by its own mother in this one..."

"You're really unlucky to be stuck with her. Even if it had been born, it probably would've been short-lived anyway."

So she was reborn too?

Before my brain could process this, my hand had already grabbed her collar.

Seeing this, Scarlett shoved me hard.I've just had a miscarriage, and my body is so weak I barely have any strength. Her push sent me stumbling back several steps before I could barely steady myself.

By the time I came to my senses, I realized Scarlett had already fallen to the ground.

"Scarlett!"

Granger rushed past me from behind, running straight towards Scarlett.

He bumped into me, causing me to lose my balance and fall down the steps, aggravating old injuries and adding new ones.

The wound in my lower body was also torn open, causing me so much pain I couldn't straighten up.

Granger held her in his arms, then suddenly seemed to remember something and looked sharply at my belly.

Seeing my now flat abdomen, his face turned deathly pale.

"Where's the baby?!"

I struggled to my feet, my movements as stiff as rusty metal.

I turned slightly to block his view, my eyes full of mockery as I looked at him:

"The baby? Well, well. You're holding another woman in your arms, yet you can still think about a fatherless bastard. How touching. No wonder you're such a great captain of the rescue team."

"Granger, they don't call you the internet's most enviable good man for nothing. Too bad though, the baby's gone. It happened the day of the avalanche."

"Oh, and congratulations by the way. You two really are a 'match made in heaven'. Love prevails in the end, doesn't it?""I don't know how many more good days you'll have left, so cherish them while you can. Before long, your beloved woman will only be able to see you through iron bars!"

Granger's face contorted at my words, his eyes filled with fury.

"Felicity, can't you think before you speak? As the rescue team leader, not only did I not blame you for deliberately causing the avalanche, I also saved Scarlett for you, helping you avoid prison time. Instead of being grateful, you're turning this around on me?"

"Search your conscience and see if you have any right to speak to me like that!"

With trembling fingers, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number she knew by heart. As the line connected, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead.

"Mom," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "I've got something to tell you."

The pause on the other end of the line felt like an eternity. Emily could almost hear her mother's breath catch, sensing the weight of the words to come.

"What is it, sweetie?" her mother's concerned voice finally broke through.

Emily closed her eyes, letting the sounds of the city wash over her. The honking of taxis, the chatter of passersby, the distant wail of a siren – all seemed to fade into the background as she focused on this moment.

"I'm... I'm pregnant," she finally said, the words tumbling out in a rush.

The silence that followed was deafening. Emily's heart pounded in her ears as she waited for her mother's response. She could almost picture her mom, sitting in their family home back in Ohio, processing this life-altering news.

"Oh, Emily," her mother's voice was soft, a mix of surprise and concern. "Are you sure?"

Emily nodded, forgetting for a moment that her mother couldn't see her. "Yes, Mom. I took three tests. They were all positive."

Another pause, this one shorter. "And the father?"

Emily's throat tightened. This was the part she had been dreading. "It's... it's complicated, Mom. I don't want to talk about him right now."

She could hear her mother's sigh, could almost feel the worry radiating through the phone. "Alright, honey. We don't have to discuss that now. How are you feeling? Have you thought about what you want to do?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. Emily found herself at a loss for words. She hadn't thought that far ahead yet, her mind still reeling from the discovery itself.

"I... I don't know, Mom," she admitted, her voice breaking. "I'm scared."

"Oh, sweetheart," her mother's voice softened, filled with love and understanding. "It's okay to be scared. This is a big thing. But remember, you're not alone. We're here for you, no matter what you decide."

Emily felt tears welling up in her eyes, a mix of relief and gratitude washing over her. "Thanks, Mom," she whispered.

As she ended the call, Emily looked up at the sky, the setting sun painting the clouds in shades of pink and orange. The city around her continued its relentless pace, oblivious to the life-changing moment she had just experienced.

She placed a hand on her still-flat stomach, a small smile tugging at her lips. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever decisions she would have to make, she knew one thing for certain – she wasn't alone. And for now, that was enough."Also, what's really going on with the child? Don't try to lie to me, it won't work! I'm not going to start caring about you just because of a few words you say!"

"Are you wearing a corset? Does the child know how his mother is treating him? I'm the child's biological father, you can't hide anything from me!""I will not fight you for custody even if the child is born!"

I never imagined that after being married for so long, this is how he saw me in his heart.

This marriage was simply ridiculous and absurd.

After throwing those harsh words at me, Granger carefully helped Scarlett up, intending to come over and check on my belly.

Scarlett let out a timely cry of pain, immediately making him stop in his tracks.

"Scarlett, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself somewhere? Let me take a look."

"I told you already, your body hasn't fully recovered yet. You should have stayed in the hospital to rest, but you insisted on coming to help me persuade her."

Scarlett blinked, tears of grievance rolling down her cheeks one by one, like a frightened rabbit.

"I'm fine, don't blame your Felicity. I shouldn't have gone with her to the ski resort that day. It's all my fault."

"I've always known she doesn't like me. I shouldn't have appeared in front of her to be an eyesore. It's all my fault, boo-hoo."

Granger immediately became so distressed that even his hand trembled as he wiped away her tears.

The intimate display between the two of them, completely disregarding my presence, made me feel nauseous.