Chapter 6

Jessica continued texting Noelle. "Oh, right. Take a look at this. It's a photo of my ultrasound scan—I'm pregnant."

She sent Noelle a photo. Noelle zoomed in and saw the words on the scan. "8-week embryo. Threatened miscarriage."

Jessica: "We did it on the rooftop countless times yesterday and tried all sorts of positions. Maybe it's because he was too rough with me, and now I'm showing signs of a miscarriage.

Jessica: "It's all his fault. He said there's no fun in sleeping with you because you're like a dead body in bed. He wanted to do something exciting with me.

Jessica: "The doctor said the baby's father needs to sign a form, regardless of whether we want to keep the baby. I had no choice but to ask him to join me. After all, his baby should be more important than your gastric issues, right?"

…

Noelle took a cab from the hospital and headed to a law firm. "Hi, I'd like to have a divorce agreement drafted."

Since she didn't want anything from Shawn, the lawyer didn't take long to prepare the agreement. In half an hour, she got the completed agreement.

"This agreement doesn't require your husband's signature," the lawyer explained. "It'll automatically come into effect once you two have lived separately for two years."

As she left the law firm with the divorce agreement, her phone rang with a call from Shawn. "Where are you, Elle?" he asked. "I couldn't find you after scouring every inch of the hospital."

"You took too long, so I went home," she replied.

"Alright, then. It's okay as long as you're home safe. I'm sorry about this, but I need to head to the company to deal with an urgent matter. I might also need to leave on a business trip for a few days, so take good care of yourself at home. I'll definitely clear out the whole of next week to be with you."

Noelle sighed heavily. No one would believe a lie once it had been told too many times. His words could no longer affect her emotions. "Alright, go ahead."

"You're the best, Elle. Be good, okay? I'll bring you your favorite freesias when I'm back."

"I'm the best, huh? Don't you like women who cling to you and act coquettish, Shawn? I'm boring because I'm too sensible, right?" Noelle asked.

Shawn was taken aback. "Why would you think that? I love you the most. Whichever type you are is the type I like."

"Will you fall in love with another woman, Shawn?"

"Of course not."

"I'll leave you forever if you fall for someone else."

He snorted. "Go ahead and try. I can put the airport and train station on lockdown. There's no way I'll let you leave me as long as your name is Noelle Anderson."

It was too bad the name on her passport was no longer Noelle Anderson. It was Aria Byrd.

Noelle said, "I'm serious, Shawn. I can find a way to leave you, and I can make it so that you can't find me."

Shawn laughed, sounding like he was teasing her. "Alright, then. Go ahead and run—I'll give you a three-day head start before I look for you. As I said, I'll find you as long as your name remains unchanged, no matter where you go. You're not getting rid of me."

Wasn't she?

Noelle laughed to herself.

She would try him, then.