When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 71

Ashley

My memory of leaving Noah's office was hazy, with the last impression being a dizzying spin. When I opened my eyes again, what caught my sight was the blinding fluorescent lights of the hospital room, the antiseptic smell burning my nostrils. Noah sat in a chair beside me, completely absorbed in his phone, his posture radiating indifference. When he noticed I was awake, he didn't even look up.

"Awake, huh? Good, that means you're fine. Test results are on the nightstand. You're pregnant. Rest for a few days before checking out, and don't forget to call Nathan." His tone was flat, like he was reading a grocery list.

My body went rigid. "What? I'm pregnant?"

Noah finally looked up, his eyes cold. "Why are you so shocked? You should know exactly what you've been doing."

Before I could respond, he stood up to answer a call outside. My mind raced wildly as I processed this bombshell. Pregnant? How was that possible? I reached for my purse on the side table, frantically searching for my phone to call the man I’d slept with.

As I unlocked the screen, a message from Emily caught my eye: [Good news for you, Ethan and Amelia are divorced.]

My heart nearly stopped. I couldn't believe my luck. Ethan was free now, and with this baby... I quickly slid my phone under my pillow as Noah returned.

"Noah, can you help me check out?" I called out, trying to sound pitiful. "Dad's waiting for my update."

He paused at the door, turning to face me with calculated calmness. "Drop the act, Ashley. Uncle Nathan is terrible at business. No matter how much we help, it's just throwing money into a bottomless pit."

A brilliant idea struck me like lightning. Without thinking, I blurted out: "The baby is Ethan's."

Noah's reaction was exactly what I'd hoped for—pure shock. "What did you just say?"

I averted my eyes, feigning embarrassment while hiding a smile. "The baby is Ethan's," I repeated softly.

Noah's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You better not be lying, Ashley. Not even God could save you if you are."

'Since everyone has abandoned me and my family is on the verge of bankruptcy, I must prepare a backup plan for myself.'

After Noah left, I immediately dialed a number I rarely used. It had to be from that night after the bidding conference.

"Hello," a gruff male voice answered.

"It's me," I said sharply. "I've run into some trouble and need money. Transfer five million to my account."

"Are you out of your mind?" the man hissed.

"No, I'm perfectly sane. Five million, today. Unless you want your wife finding out about our little arrangement."

There was a long pause, followed by a resigned sigh. "Fine. I'll transfer it. But after this, we're strangers."

I smiled as I hung up, refreshing my banking app until I saw the international transfer notification appear. Power always felt this good—immediate and absolute.

At the hospital reception, I put on my most polite smile. "Excuse me, could you tell me where Dr. Amelia Thompson's office is? The OB-GYN."

The receptionist gave me directions without questioning, and I made my way through the hospital corridors, rehearsing exactly what I would say.

I reached her office door and peered inside, spotting Amelia talking with another woman. Before I could step in, the other woman—whom I recognized as Olivia, that pretentious actress—noticed me.

"Can I help you?" Amelia asked.

When she looked up, her expression shifted to surprised recognition. Clearly, they knew exactly who I was.

"Well, if it isn't the famous Ashley Miller," Olivia said, not bothering to hide her disdain. "What brings Manhattan's most notorious socialite to our humble hospital?"

She called me Miller. The bitch.

I ignored her, focusing instead on Amelia. "Dr. Thompson, I need to speak with you. It's urgent."

Amelia crossed her arms, her white coat crisp against her simple blue dress. "This is a professional medical office, Miss. Do you have an appointment?"

I stepped into the office with confidence, closing the door behind me. "I don't need an appointment for what I have to say."

Olivia looked me up and down before asking, "Why are you looking for Amelia? This is an obstetrics department."

"That's precisely why I'm here," I replied, deliberately placing a hand on my stomach.

I glanced at Amelia, savoring the moment before dropping my bombshell. "I'm pregnant. With Ethan's baby."

Amelia let out a scoffing laugh while Olivia's face hardened.

"Excuse me?" Olivia said, stepping protectively closer to Amelia. "You've got some nerve coming here with that bullshit."

"It's after hours now," Amelia added coolly. "If you need a consultation, please make an appointment for tomorrow. Though I'd suggest finding a doctor who hasn't had personal contact with your... situation."

Amelia stood, gathering her things to leave. I quickly stepped forward, not wanting to lose my chance. "I'm sorry, Dr. Thompson. The baby happened after you two separated. Ethan didn't betray you."

"Is that what you tell yourself?" Olivia interjected. "That you waited until the appropriate moment before jumping into his bed? How considerate."

Amelia turned to me with a cold smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Wow, your pregnancy speed must break world records then. Our marital status only changed days ago, and you're already announcing his paternity?"

"That's not what I meant," I insisted, maintaining my innocent act. "I just wanted to express Ethan's apologies to you. He feels terrible about how things ended."

"So now you're his spokesperson too?" Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Fascinating how you've managed to become his lover, baby mama, and PR representative in such a short time."

"Miss," Amelia continued, her voice dripping with mock professionalism, "given the timeline you're suggesting, I'd recommend a comprehensive paternity panel. Your social calendar seems to have been quite... promiscuous."

"I've seen the tabloids," Olivia added with a smirk. "Wasn't there something about you and that finance guy from the bidding conference?"

Olivia burst into laughter beside Amelia, both of them clearly enjoying my humiliation.

My face burned with rage as the implications hit me. "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you mentally unstable? What are you talking about?" I stepped closer, finger pointed accusingly. "You think you know me? You know nothing about me or my relationship with Ethan!"

"Oh, but we do," Olivia said, her tone suddenly serious. "We know exactly who you are, Ashley. And more importantly, so does Ethan."

"Let me give you some free medical advice," Amelia said, gathering her purse. "Stress isn't good for pregnancy—real or imagined. I suggest you stop fabricating stories and focus on your actual health."

They didn't bother waiting for my response, simply walking past me and out of the office, leaving me standing there seething with anger and embarrassment.

"This isn't over!" I called after them, but the only response was the sound of their heels clicking down the corridor.

I returned to the ward, already scheming for revenge. I gently touched my still-flat abdomen, and amidst my anger, a faint smile appeared. This child—whether real or fake—would be my weapon, my golden ticket to win Ethan back.