Chapter 3

Right after Jeffrey left, I rushed to the hospital to get an abortion. Right before they gave me the anesthesia, I got a text from him.

[Ella, I was just mad when I said those things. Don't worry, I'll definitely marry you. I'll be back for sure on New Year's. Just wait for me.

[And about Sophie, just act like she's not there. I've talked to her, and she won't mess with our lives.]

I read his messages and just turned off the phone, feeling nothing.

Jeffrey had fought against our families' plans to get married because of Sophie not just once but many times over the last two years.

I was even ready to move to another country to let him be happy, but on the day I was supposed to leave, he came to the airport crying, begging me not to go.

We both got carried away that day, and that was how I got pregnant.

However, I did not find out until it was almost too late that Jeffrey had only come to the airport because the Graham family had used Sophie to threaten him.

Nothing and no one could change the marriage arrangement between the Blake and Graham families. So, even though Jeffrey loved Sophie, he had to marry me.

I could feel the warmth leaving my body. This baby was never meant to be.

When I woke up, I was already in a hospital ward.

By the time I heard from them, Jeffrey and Sophie were already at the beach.

Sophie had been bragging a lot, sending photos she had taken with Jeffrey. He was hugging her from behind, looking all sweet and gentle. He used to hug me like that, but now... it just made me feel sick to my stomach.

[Ella, Mr. Graham said you like the sea too. We should've invited you.

[Oh, and he's putting on a fireworks show for me. I'll send you the video!

[If I were you, I would've left a long time ago. Hanging on to Mr. Graham like that, you're just embarrassing yourself.]

I usually ignored her, but not this time. I texted back: [If you're so into Jeffrey, make sure you never let go.]

I wanted to see if Sophie would stick with him when he lost everything.

I was so tired that I just wanted to sleep, but then my phone buzzed.

It was Jeffrey, furious. "Ella, what's your problem? I said I'd marry you, so why are you being mean to Sophie again? I took her out for a nice New Year's, and you ruined it. Apologize to her, or you'll regret it on New Year's Day."

His voice was just noise to me. Annoyed, I hung up and blocked him without thinking twice.

…

The day I left the hospital was New Year's Eve. I went home and got rid of everything that reminded me of Jeffrey. Clothes, toothbrushes, even his books—into the trash they went.

The house was mine, and I did not want any trace of him left.

Then, I went to my family's old house for dinner.

I was lounging on the couch, half watching TV and half scrolling through my phone out of sheer boredom.

Out of nowhere, a fireworks show exploded to the top of the trending list. The initials 'JG' and 'SL' gave it away—Jeffrey had set up the fireworks just for Sophie.

Just like clockwork, Sophie sent me a video bragging about it.

[Listen up, Jeffrey made this show for me and me alone. So what if you were childhood friends? So what if you're pregnant? He doesn't love you.

[I guess your wedding isn't such a big deal. In the end, it's me he loves.]

Then, a message from someone with a black profile picture popped up on my screen. I smirked at their words.

Tonight was going to be the last blast for those two.

…

On New Year's Day, the Grahams had reserved a fancy private dining room to talk about the wedding.

However, Jeffrey, the man of the hour, was a no-show.

His dad, Anthony Graham, was fuming. "What's with Jeffrey? It's one thing to fool around during the holidays, but today? He's late on such an important day? You've spoiled him rotten," he scolded Jeffrey's mom, Wendy Swift, who just hung her head.

Everyone at the table had a sour look on their face because of Jeffrey's tardiness.

However, I knew he was just downstairs, waiting for me to say sorry to Sophie. He was late as a lesson for me.

I was waiting too—but for someone else.

I tried to calm both families while ignoring my phone which would not stop buzzing. Then, after half an hour of silence, the door to the room burst open. Jeffrey stormed over to me, his face a stormy shade of blue.

"Ella, I told you to say sorry to Sophie. Are you not seeing straight? This is your last chance. If you don't say sorry, forget about the wedding."

The room went dead quiet.

Anthony banged the table before shooting up from his seat, pointing at Jeffrey and yelling, "You're acting out, Jeffrey! What are you even saying? You show up late and now, you're picking on Ella? Say you're sorry to her, now!"

Dad's face was a picture of thunder, and he let out an icy huff. "Anthony, you sure did a great job raising your son. He doesn't care one bit about my daughter, does he?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Anthony looked really upset and kept pushing Jeffrey to say he was sorry.

However, Jeffrey would not budge. Just then, Sophie came running in, tears streaming down her face.

"Mr. Graham, don't be mad at me today. I can handle a little trouble. I've been doing it my whole life," she said through her sobs.

Jeffrey's expression turned even darker. He leaned in close and whispered a threat, "Ella, if you don't say sorry, we're not getting married. And if you have a baby without being married, let's see if your family will still welcome you.

"Then, I'll tell all the reporters to write about how the only Blake daughter had a baby without getting married. Don't you think that'll smear your family's name?"

I snapped my head up, staring at him like I could not believe what I was hearing.

Jeffrey smirked and tried to sway me.

"Ella, it's just an apology. Just say sorry and all this goes away. I'll even help set the wedding date today with both our families. You know what you should do, right?"

Even though my dad was steaming mad, he never once mentioned calling off the whole engagement.

Jeffrey's smugness grew by the second.

He stood there, sure I would cave in any moment.

However, just then, the door swung open, and in walked a tall figure that caught everyone's eye.