CH006: Hot and Cold

~LORETTE~

“I don’t think that’s possible, Michael.” Nate says into the phone, his voice low and uncertain.

He keeps staring at me, as if expecting my face to betray the truth. I hold my breath, heart hammering hard in my chest.

“I have the evidence here, sir…” Michael’s voice suddenly pauses. The silence stretches.

“What’s going on, Michael?” Nate’s tone grows impatient. “Where’s the evidence?”

“Uh… sir…” Michael stutters, clearly confused. “I just refreshed the page and… I can’t find the record anymore. It’s gone.”

Nate frowns deeply. The heavy tension in my chest loosens slightly. I can finally breathe again.

Lucas.

He must have had the records deleted before we left the hospital after I told him I wanted to keep it a secret from everyone.

“What the hell are you saying?” Nate snaps, irritation clear in his voice.

“My apologies, sir. I think I made a mistake. I’m truly sorry.”

Nate exhales deeply, looking visibly relieved, then ends the call.

The once pale, shocked expression on his face is now replaced with a sarcastic sneer.

“Of course it was nonsense,” he says, scoffing. “A miscarriage? When you and I have barely shared a bed in five years?”

His words twist bitterly in my chest. He doesn’t even remember that night two months ago.

After that torturous sex, I had quietly cleaned him up afterward and led him back to his room, terrified he would wake up and accuse me of taking advantage of him.

Fortunately, he never remembered. And I never told him, except for today that I’d planned to tell him about the baby.

But look where we are now.

Still, a stupid question slips from my lips before I can stop it.

“What if it were true?” I ask quietly. “What if there really was a baby?”

Nate eyes me from head to toe with pure disgust.

“Then that would mean you actually managed to get pregnant. But that’s impossible. I’d rather die than get you pregnant. You’re already evil and despicable enough. I don’t need a mini version of you running around. The thought of touching you makes my skin crawl with disgust.”

Even though his words hit me like a train wreck, a small, bitter smile touches my lips. For the first time, I’m glad I lost the baby.

At least she won’t have to grow up in this cruel house, treated like a second-class child while Ava’s baby becomes the prince.

Just then, the bedroom door suddenly opens.

My jaw slackens in disbelief as Ava walks in like she already owns the place.

“Baby, I’ve been waiting downstairs for so long!” She whines dramatically, pouting like a spoiled child. She presses her body against Nate, completely ignoring me at first. “You said you were only getting my soup. What’s taking so long?”

I cross my arms over my chest, staring in disbelief. Of course, I knew he planned to move her in, but I didn’t expect her to have the audacity to barge into our matrimonial bedroom.

Finally, Ava’s eyes shift to me just then. A fake, overly sweet smile spreads across her lips.

“I’ve heard so much about you,” she says sweetly. Then she blinks her eyes like a baby and pouts again. “I hope you’re not mad that I showed up here without your awareness. You know, I got into a car accident today and Nate has been taking care of me since we’re old friends. I hope you’re not upset and uncomfortable? Please, don’t blame Nate. He’s just being kind.”

I bite my tongue hard to stop myself from firing at her.

I know exactly what game she’s playing. Acting like the sweet, innocent girl while rubbing salt into my wounds to see if I’ll break.

But I refuse to give her the satisfaction.

“Sweetheart…” Nate’s voice turns soft and tender as he wraps his arms around her, as if I’m not even in the room. He stares deep into her eyes lovingly. “I’m sorry, I got held up by something unimportant. Just wait for me outside, okay? I’ll join you shortly.”

The words sting like acid. I am the ‘something unimportant’, huh?

“Okay.” Ava nods, then turns to me again, waving as she starts to move away. “See you soon, Lorette.”

I don’t miss the subtle, victorious smirk on her face as she walks out through the door.

Once she’s gone, Nate turns back to me with hardened, ice-cold eyes.

If one didn’t know him, they’d think he had bipolar disorder with how fast he switches from warm to freezing the moment he has to deal with me.

“You stay in this house and wait for me to return this evening,” he orders, pointing at me like I'm a disobedient child. “As for that stupid divorce nonsense you mentioned? I’ll pretend I never heard it. You’re not going anywhere.”

Then, without waiting for my reply, he storms out of the room and slams the door behind him.

Deafening silence swallows the space. I stand there for a long moment, replaying his words.

He still thinks I’m not serious. He still believes he can control me. Well, he’s in for a ton of surprises.

Grabbing the handle of my suitcase tighter, I open the door, and walk out. As I descend the staircase into the grand living room, I take one final look at the luxurious villa I had lived in for five painful years.

This house had never been my home.

Exhaling deeply, I step outside.

Lucas is already waiting, leaning against his black car. The moment he sees me, he straightens up, concern written all over his face.

“Can we drive me somewhere important before you take me home?” I ask, pushing down the heaviness in my heart. “There’s something I must do.”