Chapter 4 On the third day of taking the medication, I had to stay at the hospital for observation. I went back to the house Ken- neth and I shared a day early to pack my things. At the front door, I instinctively entered my birthday as the code, but a cold, mechanical voice replied, "Incorrect password." I froze, tried again-three times in a row-still locked out. So, after just a few days away, the passcode had already been changed. On a whim, I tried Nicole's birthday. Sure enough, the lock clicked open. A bitter laugh escaped me. I'd been waiting for Kenneth to explain, to apologize, to beg me to come back. But he'd already made up his mind, replaced the code, and shut me out. Inside, I immediately saw our wedding portrait propped against the wall by the door. The spot where it used to hang was now filled with a photo of Kenneth and Nicole at 18. On the fridge, the "Mr. Garcia & Ms. Crawford's House Rules" had my last name crossed out in thick marker. The rules themselves were scribbled over and changed into something unrecognizable. It felt like all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room-I could barely breathe. I packed my clothes from the closet into suitcases. Every little personal item went into boxes. Slowly, the room lost every trace that I'd ever lived there. When I finished sealing the last box, the door beeped. Two people stumbled in, pushing and shoving. Nicole immediately pinned Kenneth against the wall, reaching up for a kiss. He turned his head away. "Stop it..." But she didn't back off, undoing his shirt buttons one by one. Kenneth repeated in a low voice, "I said stop, okay?" Nicole's expression darkened. She dug her fingers into his wounded hand. 0.0% 12:02 Chapter 4 Kenneth cried out, doubling over in pain. She glared at him. "I told you, if I'm not happy, you won't be either." Kenneth was sweating, struggling to stand. Only then did he notice the suitcases-and me, standing beside them. He looked rattled. "Lucy? What are you doing?" I kept my face blank. "Sorry for ruining the mood. It won't happen again." Kenneth grabbed my arm. "Lucy, you've got it wrong. Nikki's just here to pick up her things. She doesn't live here. This is your home-where are you going?" "I got it wrong?" I pointed to the wedding portrait on the floor, forcing out a painful smile. Kenneth glanced at the photo. "Nikki, you-" Nicole spoke up, her voice light. "Kenneth, she doesn't want you anymore. I told you ages ago-she cares more about what people think than she does about you. Your relationship is so fragile." I knew she was provoking me, but I couldn't help myself-I raised my hand. But before I could slap her, a heavy blow knocked me to the ground. My ears rang. Stunned, I looked up at Kenneth. He was kneeling beside me, his face ashen. A sharp pain shot through my abdomen. I clutched my stomach as darkness closed in. Before I lost consciousness, I heard Kenneth's desperate voice. "Lucy, don't do this. I'm begging you..." It felt like I was falling into endless darkness, utterly alone, beyond saving. For a moment, I felt warmth draining out of me, bit by bit. I wanted to cry out, to scream, but no sound came. Cold crept into my limbs as I struggled to open my eyes. Kenneth was holding my hand, pressing it to his lips. His face was ghostly pale, his shirt soaked with sweat. 50.3 % 12:03 Chapter 4 "Lucy..." His voice was shaking. "Are you... pregnant?" 98.3 % Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!