Chapter 2
Aubrey's POV
For the next two weeks, I blocked all of Connor Blake's contacts and locked myself in my new apartment, living on takeout like a walking corpse.
Until that morning that changed everything.
I hunched over the toilet, dry-heaving as my stomach churned violently. Strange, I haven't eaten anything bad lately... and I rarely get sick.
A terrifying thought flashed through my mind.
No way...
When I tremblingly picked up the pregnancy test, the world went silent.
Two red lines.
No... this can't be...
I tested again, twice, three times... Each time showed the same result. The bright red lines seemed to mock my naivety.
"Oh my God..." I collapsed onto the cold tiles. "At a time like this... what should I do?"
He's already chosen her. I can't become a clingy woman. But this child... this innocent child...
Meanwhile, Connor Blake was experiencing the craziest two weeks of his life.
"Have you found her?" Connor roared into the phone, having gone 48 hours without sleep.
Private investigator Dave Miller's voice came through: "I'm sorry, Mr. Blake. She seems to have completely vanished. We've checked everywhere she might go."
"KEEP LOOKING!" Connor slammed his desk, making his coffee cup jump. "I don't believe she disappeared into thin air! Turn Chicago upside down if you have to!"
"Yes, sir."
Connor hung up and collapsed onto his sofa. His mansion felt eerily empty, every corner reminding him of Aubrey's shadow.
Why did she block all my contacts? I just wanted to explain... explain why I said what I did that night...
DAMN IT! He gripped his hair violently. In that instant seeing Evelyn hurt, his first instinct had been protecting her. Years of habit made him forget about the more important woman beside him.
Why did I speak that way? Why did I humiliate Aubrey in front of everyone?
But it was too late now. She wouldn't even give him a chance to explain.
A week later, I finally found courage to visit Chicago General Hospital.
Maybe... maybe I should end this. Start over.
But when Dr. Sarah Wilson reviewed my test results, her expression turned serious.
"Miss Sterling, I must tell you something very important." Dr. Wilson removed her glasses. "Based on your condition, terminating this pregnancy would not only prevent future pregnancies but could threaten your life."
What?
"Your uterine wall is much thinner than normal—a condition called uterine wall thinning syndrome. Forced termination carries extremely high bleeding risks."
I felt dizzy. This means... I have to have this baby?
Leaving the office, my mind went blank. In the hospital lobby, I suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Aubrey Sterling?"
I turned to see the last person I wanted to encounter—Eleanor Blake. Connor's mother, the socialite who'd always disapproved of me.
She wore an expensive black cashmere coat, carried a Hermès bag, radiating arrogance.
"Mrs. Eleanor..." I forced a smile.
Her sharp gaze swept my body, stopping at the hospital papers in my hand.
"Obstetrics exam?" she asked incredulously. "You're pregnant?"
I'm screwed.
"I..."
"Come with me." Eleanor's tone brooked no argument.
In the hospital café corner, she elegantly stirred her coffee while I sweated nervously.
"Connor's child?" she asked bluntly.
I nodded—no point denying it.
Eleanor set down her cup, disgust flashing in her eyes. "I knew women like you wouldn't let go easily. Using a baby to threaten him now?"
"I'm not threatening anyone," I struggled to stay calm. "I haven't even told him."
"Good." She sneered. "Then never tell him. I want you to abort this child immediately."
"No." I refused without hesitation. "The doctor said my condition won't allow it—it could be life-threatening."
Eleanor's expression grew colder. She signaled her assistant, who within thirty minutes had drafted documents and respectfully placed them on the table.
"Then I'll make another proposal. I'll let you have this child, but you must leave Chicago and never return."
"What if I refuse?" I met her eyes directly.
She pulled out her phone, opening a folder. "Your father Robert Sterling's construction accident killed two workers. So far, it's only civil compensation. But..." She paused. "I can make it criminal. Negligent homicide—at least ten years."
What? I felt my blood freeze.
"How... how can you do this?"
"For my son's future, I'll do anything." Eleanor sneered. "Evelyn is the right woman for Connor—she has breeding, background, ability. And you..." She looked at me contemptuously. "You're just an accident."
My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palms.
"Here's the agreement." She pushed over the thick document. "Sign it, take one million dollars and leave. Refuse, and your father gets arrested tomorrow."
I tremblingly opened the agreement, each clause stabbing my heart:
"Party B (Aubrey Sterling) promises never to reveal the pregnancy to Party A's son Connor Blake..."
"Party B promises to leave Chicago and not appear before Connor Blake..."
"Party B relinquishes all rights and claims to the Blake family..."
"You have one hour to decide." Eleanor stood, looking down at me. "Remember, this is your only choice."
An hour later, Connor sat moodily in his home study. The fireplace burned, but couldn't warm his inner coldness.
Mother Eleanor elegantly entered with a teacup.
"Connor, I have something to tell you."
"Mom, I'm not in the mood for anything right now." Connor didn't look up.
"It's about Aubrey." Eleanor sat on the opposite sofa. "She's gone."
Connor's head snapped up. "What do you mean?"
"She took the money and left." Eleanor produced a bank transfer record. "One million dollars. Seems that's your worth to her."
"IMPOSSIBLE!" Connor practically jumped up, grabbing the document. "She's not that kind of person! Aubrey would never..."
"Bank records don't lie, Connor. Can't you see what kind of woman she is? She was only with you for money from the beginning."
Connor stared at the transfer record showing clearly: Recipient: Aubrey Sterling.
"How... how could I misjudge someone so completely?" His voice carried painful disappointment. "Three years... three whole years..."
Eleanor watched her son's anguish with hidden satisfaction.
"At least Evelyn's back," she said softly. "She's the woman who truly suits you."
