Chapter 4
When the butler arrived, I was already unconscious.
He sighed helplessly and quickly called for an ambulance.
I woke up the next day.
The bedside was empty, and my phone screen showed a message from Henry:
“Sorry, I thought you were pretending… Taking Chloe for her prenatal checkup today. I’ll definitely come see you tomorrow.”
I took a deep breath and called the butler, instructing him to send my important documents back to the Everly family.
I would never set foot in that place again.
A nurse entered with CT scans, hesitating before speaking: “Dr. Leila, you have a mild concussion and need to stay for observation. I heard you had your wedding yesterday? What happened?”
A bitter smile tugged at my lips. “Got hit by a rabid dog.”
The image of Henry protecting Chloe like a wild beast guarding its territory sent a sharp pain through my heart.
Fighting back the ache, I sent my parents a brief message to let them know I was okay.
Scrolling through Instagram, I saw Chloe had just posted a nine–photo grid.
Eight sweet wedding photos, centered around a bouquet of red roses glistening with morning dew.
The caption read: “Loving someone isn’t just words–it’s proven through actions.”
I couldn’t help but like the post.
Those words stabbed into my heart like a knife–I knew all too well how much Henry loved her.
Chloe loved red roses most, and for the past two years, Henry had sent her a bouquet every week without fail, regardless of weather.
They video–called daily. Henry found this perfectly normal, as if they were just ordinary friends chatting.
Every Christmas, he’d fly to London to keep her company, afraid she’d be lonely.
Valentine’s chocolates, Thanksgiving turkey, limited–edition Easter candy… holiday gifts never missed.
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He Chose His Pregnant Ex.1 Instantly Made My Brother’s Friend My Groom
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Chapter 4
When I questioned him, Henry always adopted a lecturing tone: “Leila, even after marriage ends, we still have responsibilities. It’s a commitment–our bond lasts a lifetime. This has nothing to do with love.”
But without love, what man would willingly shoulder such responsibility?
Once, I accidentally overheard a voice message from Chloe, her voice thick with tears:
“Henry, can’t you just not get divorced? You still love me–why agree to this engagement?”
Henry sighed softly: “Grandfather gave me an ultimatum. He owes the Everly family a life debt and insists I marry Leila to repay it.”
“He despises broken promises. If not me, it would be another Sinclair family member. But then I’d be permanently exiled from the family.”
Chloe asked timidly: “Then… do you like Leila?”
After a long silence, Henry’s voice was terrifyingly calm: “No.”
I hid by the door, my heart bleeding.
Actually, I’d long suspected he didn’t love me.
But whenever I asked, he’d look at me with that strange expression:
‘Leila, can’t you feel how I treat you? Do I really have to spell it out? Fine–you’re the love of my life.”
Looking back now, “love of my life” was just hollow words devoid of warmth.
As I wallowed in painful memories, my phone buzzed–it was James calling.
He was my brother’s best friend, and yesterday, I had agreed to marry him over the phone.
I took a deep breath and answered.
ames’s voice came through, excited yet nervous:
‘Leila, the wedding preparations have started. We’re getting married in a week–don’t you dare back out!”
Before I could respond, he added threateningly: “If you back out, I’ll move into your hospital, hire you as my private loctor, and keep you so busy you’ll never marry anyone else!”
I couldn’t help rolling my eyes: “James, you’ve had a sharp tongue since childhood, but when have you ever followed through?”
‘Leila, don’t be stubborn. After we’re married, I’ll show you who’s boss!”
‘Bring it on!”
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He Chose His Pregnant Ex.I Instantly Made My Brother’s Friend My Groom
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Chapter 4
“You asked for it!”
We hung up almost simultaneously.
The next second, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Only one week left.”
It was time to end this ridiculous farce.
Henry, I’m marrying someone else.
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