Backup Girl No More: Adios To My V-Card and My First Love
Chapter 45

Chapter 5 .

Chapter 5 Atlas glared at me , his anger burning hot and unwavering .

But he didnt see the redness blooming across my cheek , the sharp sting left behind by Ivys slap .

I lifted my head , meeting his gaze with a calm , almost eerie stillness.

The one who should be apologizing isnt me , I said quietly .

Its Ivy .

His brows furrowed , irritation flickering in his eyes , but I continued before he could interrupt .

She brought up my father , Atlas .

Dont you think you owe me an apology for what happened back then ? For a split second , something flickered across his face something unreadable .

Then it was gone .

If it werent for me , your father would have died even sooner , he said , his voice cold with certainty .

Celeste , I promised your father Id take care of you for the rest of my life .

But that promise came with a condition you wouldnt hurt Ivy .

I stared at him , and then laughed .

A quiet , hollow sound .

How foolish of me to think , even for a moment , that he might finally see me .

Just as the edges of my vision darkened , the room tilted violently , and then nothing .

When I woke up , the sterile scent of disinfectant filled my nose .

A nurse stood by my bedside , gently removing the IV from my arm .

Congratulations, she said with a kind smile .

Youre pregnant .

My breath caught .

You need to be extra careful , she continued .

Your body is weak you cant afford too much stress .

Try to rest , eat well , and keep your emotions stable .

My hand instinctively drifted to my stomach .

For five years , I had wanted to have a child with Atlas .

I had dreamed of it , longed for it .

And now , at the worst possible moment , life had given me one .

19.00 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 34.4 % Chapter 5 .

* Buzz .

* My phone vibrated against the hospital sheets : Atlas .

His message was short , direct .

[ The doctor said youll be fine as long as you rest .

] A second message followed .

[ When you apologize to Ivy , Ill come pick you up .

] A cold , bitter laugh slipped from my lips .

I turned off my phone .

The nurse returned , her expression hesitant .

Miss Laurent , the doctor has scheduled another test .

Please follow me .

I nodded and trailed after her .

But instead of leading me toward the examination rooms , she stopped near the stairwell .

I frowned .

Something felt wrong .

A familiar voice confirmed my suspicion .

I heard youre pregnant .

I turned to replace Ivy Monroe standing behind me , her arms crossed , an unmistakable smirk playing at the corners of her lips .

She took a slow step forward .

I underestimated you , Celeste , she mused .

Youre more stubborn than I thought .

I said nothing .

She tilted her head , studying my face like a cat playing with its prey .

Do you know why you never got pregnant in the last five years? My fingers curled instinctively against my stomach , an invisible chill creeping up my spine .

Ivy leaned in , her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper .

Because I told Atlas I didnt want you to have his child .

The world seemed to slow around me .

And he listened , she continued , her words like knives carving into my skin .

Every morning , when he handed you your vitamins , he was actually giving you birth control .

Ivy smiled sweetly , waiting , expecting to see devastation on my face .

34.6 % Chapter 5 I didnt give her the satisfaction .

I met her gaze, my voice eerily calm .

I see .

Her smirk faltered slightly , as if my lack of reaction unsettled her .

I stepped past her , reaching for the door , but I didnt make it .

A sudden force slammed into my back .

My balance was ripped from beneath me .

The world tilted violently as I tumbled forward , my body colliding with cold , hard steps .

Pain exploded through me white hot , unbearable .

Then a sharper , deeper agony bloomed in my abdomen .

I barely managed to turn my head before I saw it a crimson stain spreading beneath me .

The pain didnt register immediately , but the realization did .

I was losing my baby .

When I woke up , I was back in the hospital .

It was over .

The life inside me was gone .

Without a word , I reached for the divorce papers I had prepared weeks ago and placed them on the bed .

Then , I walked out of the hospital , out of Atlass life .

I got into a taxi , heading straight for the airport .

As I reached the gate , just seconds before boarding , my phone buzzed one last time .

A message from Atlas .

[ Celeste , I cant believe youre still causing trouble for Ivy .

Apologize and stop pushing me .

]