Born Ditzy: Drunk Vows, Sober Goodbye Chapter 05

Born Ditzy: Drunk Vows, Sober Goodbye Chapter 05

Author: Echoes Everywhere
I was taken aback. An abortion?
I looked down at the medical folder in my hand, then up at Nolan’s ghost-white face.

Blood was seeping into the bandage on his left hand from when he’d torn himself free from Celia just now. The scrape on his forehead was still oozing, and paired with his bloodshot eyes, he looked like he’d just crawled out of a disaster zone.

The comments exploded.

[Lyra, can you please just say something?]

[Mr. Steele looks like he’s about to shatter.]

[Celia is literally smirking in the back. What a snake!]

[I’m losing it. The baby’s still around!]

I wanted to explain, but when I opened my mouth, a yawn slipped out instead. Between the morning sickness and getting my blood drawn, I felt lightheaded. My reactions were more than a beat too slow.

“I didn’t—”

I hadn’t even finished when Celia’s voice drifted over from behind us.

“Nolan, don’t get so worked up. You’ll reopen your wounds.” She walked forward, her tone gentle. “Ms. West… probably had her own reasons. You two are already divorced, and she doesn’t have to get your permission for anything she decides to do.”

Nolan swayed on his feet. Celia took the chance to steady him by his arm, softening her voice even more. “And look at the state she’s in. She must be weak after just getting a procedure done… Don’t push her like this.”

I blinked. I’d just gotten a procedure done? When?

The comments were furious.

[What nonsense is Celia spewing?]

[She’s clearly trying to steer Nolan into thinking the worst!]

[Certified manipulative behavior right here.]

[Lyra, please just say something! I’m begging you!]

Nolan stared at me, the light in his eyes dying out bit by bit. His lips trembled, and his Adam’s apple bobbed hard, like he was forcing something down.

“Lyra West, be honest with me,” he said, each word clipped. “Is the baby… still around?”

I parted my lips. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit me, and my vision went dark around the edges. I grabbed the wall for balance as the file slipped from my hand and hit the floor.

Nolan immediately reached out to catch me, but the moment his fingers brushed my arm, he jerked back like he’d been shocked. He thought I was weak from surgery and didn’t dare touch me.

Off to the side, Celia asked, “Ms. West, do you want to sit down and rest? Nolan, stop pushing her. Let her—”

“Shut up.” His head snapped toward her, his voice as cold as ice.

She flinched and stumbled back half a step under his gaze.

The comments went wild.

[Nolan finally snapped!]

[But he’s snapping at the wrong person…]

[Lyra, stop being this dazed!]

Once the dizziness passed, I bent down to pick up the file. I moved a little too fast, and my stomach lurched. I turned my head and dry-heaved.

Nolan’s pupils contracted hard. He stared at me as I retched, and every bit of color drained from his face.

“Is that morning sickness?” His voice shook. “Or… a post-op reaction?”

I straightened up, ready to say it was morning sickness, but Nolan didn’t give me the chance. He suddenly clapped a hand over his mouth and broke into a violent coughing fit. Blood seeped out between his fingers.

The comments went berserk.

[He’s coughing blood!]

[This is literally rage and grief made physical.]

[Someone get a doctor, now!]

Nolan pitched forward. On instinct, I lunged to catch him, and his weight dragged me down. My knees slammed into the tile, and the pain made me hiss.

I couldn’t care less about it, though. Nolan had collapsed in my arms, his face as white as a sheet. There was still blood trickling from his mouth.

“Nolan!” I patted his face. “Don’t pass out. I haven’t answered you yet!”

His eyelids trembled, and his consciousness was already slipping. I panicked and leaned in close to his ear, using all my strength to say, “The baby’s still here! I didn’t get rid of it! I’m here for a prenatal checkup!”