Eventually, the forum was shut down… but two days later, the rumors resurfaced online, even worse.
I couldn’t take it anymore—I filed for a leave of absence.
When I returned home, Robert Brooks, my father, threw my suitcase out the door.
“Don’t you dare tell people you’re my daughter. I won’t have my name dragged through the mud!”
That night, I dragged my suitcase to the riverbank.
Staring at the surging current, I tossed the suitcase into the water.
That’s when Adrian stopped me just in time.
“Layla, I know everything online is just lies. I believe you’re not that kind of person.”
If he hadn’t shown up that night, I might’ve ended my life.
I trusted him. Depended on him.
Only to learn in the end—it was him who destroyed me.
My thoughts snapped back.
My phone buzzed twice on the table—it was a money transfer from Adrian:
“Work’s busy. I can’t make it to your prenatal check-up. Thanks for going on your own, babe.”
At the same time, my computer lit up with another synced message:
“We’ll talk later. Bella cut her hand. I’m taking her to the hospital.”
I dug my nails into my palm so hard I broke the skin.
The pain snapped me back to reality.
Fighting the nausea in my throat, I backed up all the messages to my computer.
Then I called the hospital to schedule the abortion.
After setting everything in motion, I couldn’t hold it in anymore—
I ran to the bathroom and threw up.
In the gynecology exam room, I stepped down from the operating table, my face pale.
The doctor wrote out a prescription while scolding me right in front of everyone.
“Next time, use protection.”
“Only twenty-one and already getting an abortion—did you think about today when you were enjoying yourself?”
With every word, the people in the room looked me up and down.
My hands tightened at my sides, and I grabbed the medicine before fleeing in embarrassment.
On my way out, I bumped into a male doctor.
He glanced at the scattered report on the floor, then looked me over from head to toe.
I couldn’t take it—I snatched up the report and ran.
The moment I stepped out of the hospital, the first thing I saw was Adrian Scott.
Next to a black sedan, Adrian was opening the door for a woman in a wheelchair.
She tilted her head up and kissed him on the lips.
Adrian leaned down, ruffling her hair with gentle affection.
...
I knew that woman.