My Fiancé Chose His Friend’s Pregnant Widow And Lost Me Forever Chapter 04
I Stop Waiting for Him
I spend the rest of the night trying to cover Dad’s medical costs.
I call friends.
I max out a credit card.
I ask my company for an advance.
By morning, I’ve pulled together enough to keep everything moving.
That’s when I meet Dr. Ryan Carter.
He’s part of the team handling Dad’s case.
After reviewing the tests, he tells me Dad’s condition is serious, but they’re moving quickly.
“We’ll take care of him,” he says.
I nod.
“Thank you.”
That’s all I have the energy to say.
Ryan doesn’t ask about the wedding video everyone has seen online.
He just walks me through Dad’s next tests and what the doctors need from us.
A few hours later, Dad’s condition stabilizes.
Mom finally sits down.
I get her coffee and tell her to sleep for a while.
Ethan arrives just before sunrise.
He’s still wearing the shirt from yesterday.
“Claire.”
I look at him.
“How’s your dad?”
“Stable.”
His shoulders drop.
“Thank God.”
He steps closer.
“I’m sorry about last night. Sophie was having contractions. The doctor thought she might go into premature labor.”
I say nothing.
“I know I should’ve transferred the money back sooner.”
Still nothing.
“I’ll put everything back today.”
I look at him.
“Ethan, do you know what I did last night?”
His face tightens.
“I called everyone I could think of. I used my credit card. I asked my company for an advance.”
“Claire—”
“Because the money we saved for my father’s medical care was paying for Sophie’s private maternity clinic and postpartum doula.”
“I’ll pay it back.”
“That’s not the point.”
He reaches for me.
I step away.
“Then tell me what the point is.”
“Claire.”
“You left our wedding because Sophie needed you.”
“You let her move into our home because she needed you.”
“Claire, please.”
“You took my father’s medical money because she needed you.”
“I screwed up. I know that.”
“No. You always know afterward.”
He doesn’t speak.
“You don’t love me less,” I say. “You just love me like I’m always the one who can wait, forgive, and understand.”
“That’s not what I—”
“I don’t want to understand anymore.”
“Claire.”
“We’re done.”