Chapter 4 The next day, I clutched my medical report and called my best friend. Just as I hung up and looked up, I suddenly saw Austin. Our eyes met, and for a moment, we both froze. I thought he’d come looking for me, and I was about to speak, but then I caught sight of the person behind him. I couldn’t help but laugh at myself for being so naive. A flash of panic crossed Austin’s face, but he quickly composed himself and stepped in front of Kayla, his expression sour. “So now you’re following me? Throwing tantrums at home wasn’t enough for you?” Before I could respond, Kayla stepped forward and wrapped her arm around his, her voice sweet and pleading. “Austin, don’t be so angry. Look at Eloise—she’s so pale. Maybe she’s sick. Don’t misunderstand her. “Eloise, I haven’t been feeling well, so Austin came to take care of me. You’re so generous, I’m sure you wouldn’t make a fuss over something so trivial, right?” Her innocent look made it seem like she was explaining herself, but I knew she was trying to provoke me. I didn’t care anymore. My tone was calm, almost detached. “Why would I be upset? Isn’t it your job to take care of her, Austin?” I smiled, showing no sign of anger, but Austin’s face suddenly darkened. He stared at me, as if trying to read my mind, but I wasn’t bothered in the least. I walked right past them, heading to the pharmacy to pick up my medication. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.” I hadn’t gotten far when Austin caught up and blocked my way, his eyes fixed on the report in my hand. “What’s wrong with you? When did this start? Why didn’t you tell me?” I ignored him and tried to keep walking, but he grabbed my arm. I shook him off, my voice cold. “It’s nothing. It doesn’t concern you.” But Austin wouldn’t let me go, his tone tense, almost pleading. “Eloise, I know I’ve been neglecting you lately, but it’s not just my fault. You’ve been unreasonable from the start. “And as your husband, you shouldn’t keep it from me when you’re sick.” He reached for the report, but before he could grab it, a pair of hands shoved him away. My best friend, Mindy Siebert, rushed over and stood protectively in front of me. “What do you think you’re doing? Eloise, how could you marry such a jerk? I’m not letting him get away with it today.” Austin stumbled back, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. Mindy had always been fiercely loyal, her temper short and fiery—she had never liked Austin. Her relentless tirade quickly clued everyone in to what was happening. “What the hell? His wife just had a miscarriage, and now he’s forcing her to donate blood to his mistress?” “Scumbag. He’s trash. Guys like him don’t deserve a family.” Austin’s face turned ashen, humiliated, and his anger boiled over. “Crazy. No wonder you two are friends—just a pair of lunatics, biting anyone who gets close.” In the chaos, Kayla was shoved and slammed into the wall with a shriek. Seeing his precious girl hurt, Austin snapped and kicked out at Mindy. “Bitch! How dare you touch Kayla!” Seeing what was about to happen, I rushed forward to shield Mindy, only to take the full force of Austin’s kick in my stomach. I gasped from the pain. Agony twisted through my abdomen, and I curled up, clutching my belly. The pain was so intense I nearly blacked out, and blood began to pour out. The crowd panicked, shouting for a doctor. Even Austin abandoned Kayla and rushed over, frantic. “Why did you get in the way? Why are you bleeding…?” I could barely breathe, the emotional and physical torment of the past days pushing me to the brink. Ignoring the hands trying to help me, I forced myself to shove Austin away, slamming the medical report into his chest. I couldn’t hold back my scream. “You wanted to know what’s wrong with me? Look for yourself! Open your damn eyes and read it!” “I had a miscarriage! Do you see it now?” Austin stared at the report, eyes wide, disbelief etched across his face. His voice broke with desperation. “No, no, that can’t be true. Babe, tell me it’s fake. Tell me this isn’t real!” “That’s just something Mindy made up, right? It can’t be true!” “Honey, please, tell me…”
Letting Go Of You
Status: Ongoing
