Chapter 50

Alexander barely spared her a glance, his expression unreadable. "Stand up for you? I'm merely protecting the Whitmore family's honor."

His cold gaze then shifted to Ethan. "So, when exactly are you planning to announce the wedding date?"

Ethan seemed lost in his own thoughts, barely registering the question.

His mind was numb. He was supposed to be the groom, yet there was no excitement, no anticipation—just a heavy, suffocating exhaustion.

Vanessa gently tugged at his sleeve. "Ethan, Uncle Alexander is speaking to you. He wants to know when we should set the date so preparations can begin..."

A sharp surge of irritation shot through him. He snatched a cigarette from Nathan and clenched it between his teeth.

"You decide. I need air."

Before Vanessa could protest, he was already striding away, the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders.

The hospital corridors buzzed with activity as Evelyn Carter guided Claire Dawson toward the gynecologist's office.

Claire's grip on Evelyn's arm tightened as they stepped inside.

When they emerged, Claire's face had lost all color.

Evelyn frowned. "What's wrong? What did the doctor say?"

Claire exhaled shakily. "I'm pregnant. Less than a month."

Meanwhile, Vanessa Hart floated through the Whitmore Manor, her heart light with triumph.

Today was not a day for doubts.

Alexander Whitmore's distant demeanor would have wounded her on any other occasion, but not today.

Not when she was about to become a Whitmore.

Men never cared for wedding details anyway. She understood that.

Her fingers flew across her phone screen, checking dates.

"Alexander," she said brightly, "how about the eighth of next month? It's an auspicious day."

For a family like the Whitmores, a month was more than enough to arrange a grand wedding.

Her future was set.

Nothing could ruin this moment.

Not even the shadow of uncertainty in Alexander's eyes.

Evelyn gasped in shock.

Claire's emotions erupted as she sank to the floor in the corridor, fingers tangling in her hair. "I'm filing for divorce from Lucas, and now this? Pregnant? This has to be some cruel joke."

In their two years of marriage, Lucas had rarely shared her bed.

Yet now, just as she was ready to cut all ties, fate decided to drop this bombshell.

Evelyn hesitated before murmuring, "Maybe... this baby could change things. It might give you and Lucas a second chance."

Claire's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "But his heart belongs to someone else. What kind of life would this child have? Using a baby to trap a man—would that ever lead to real happiness?"

Evelyn fell silent, absorbing Claire's words.

After a heavy pause, she whispered, "So... what are you going to do about the baby?"

Claire pushed herself up, jaw set. "I'm not keeping it. I'll schedule the procedure immediately. The sooner, the better."

Evelyn's eyes widened. "You're not even going to tell Lucas?"

Evelyn hesitated, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap.

The weight of her decision pressed heavily on her chest.

"Claire, he's still the father," Evelyn said gently, her voice laced with concern. "Don’t you think Lucas has a right to know?"

She understood the turmoil in Claire’s heart—the lingering feelings for Lucas, the fear of regret.

"Even if you choose not to keep it, you shouldn’t carry this alone while he walks away untouched," Evelyn continued, her tone firm.

"How can you be okay with this? You’re sacrificing everything for them, and he doesn’t even know this child exists?" Her voice cracked with frustration. "This isn’t fair."

"In the end, you’re the one who will suffer—physically, emotionally. Claire, is this really what you want?"

Evelyn’s words hung in the air, sharp and unrelenting.

"What about the two years you gave him?"

"And now he’s with someone else, yet he still came to you? That doesn’t mean he’s serious about her."

Claire’s breath hitched, her vision blurring with unshed tears.

Evelyn’s words had only tangled her thoughts further.

Her hands trembled as she pressed them to her face.

"What do I do now?" Claire whispered, her voice breaking.

Vanessa's voice was firm as she spoke. "First, go home tonight. Find the right moment to tell Lucas about the pregnancy."

She leaned closer, her eyes sharp with determination. "If he agrees to terminate it, then he needs to take full responsibility—the medical appointments, the procedure, and your recovery. That’s the bare minimum a man should do."

Her lips curled in disdain. "Did he think he could just walk away after having his fun? As if he’s untouchable?"

Vanessa’s grip on Evelyn’s wrist tightened. "Make sure he never forgets. He had a child, and because of him, it’s gone. That guilt should haunt him for the rest of his life. Every time he closes his eyes, he should remember what he took from you."

The words hung heavy in the air, laced with bitterness.

Evelyn swallowed hard, her fingers trembling.

Vanessa wasn’t finished. "And if he hesitates? If he tries to convince you to keep it?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Then you make him regret that too."

A cold shiver ran down Evelyn’s spine.

This wasn’t just advice.

It was a warning.