Dying to Love You

Chapter 11 The Baby Was His

　　James rushed back the moment he got Grace's call. She told him on the phone that Emily was at home trying to seduce Alex, doing something shady behind closed doors.

　　James freaked out as soon as he heard that and sped back. Just happened to catch the tail end of their conversation when he walked in.

　　Face dark as thunder, he barged in and shot a glare at Alex. “Next time you show up here without my say-so, I swear I'll break your legs.”

　　“Why can't I come back? This is the Mitchell house, not just your house!” Alex shot back, clearly ticked.

　　“Get the second young master out of here. And from now on, no one lets him in without my permission.”

　　James said flatly. A few bodyguards rushed in right after and dragged Alex out without a second thought.

　　Alex was livid. “James, you only know how to pick on women. That makes you a man?”

　　Still fuming, Alex was dragged out roughly. James turned toward Emily, staring her down. “Do my words just go in one ear and out the other with you?”

　　“No, Mr. Mitchell! I didn't mean to ignore you. I'm sorry—it won't happen again,” Emily said, head low, voice small.

　　He narrowed his eyes. “I know exactly what you're up to. Tried to seduce me and when that didn't work, you moved on to Alex? I already warned you, don't mess with him. Cross that line and you'll regret ever stepping into this house.”

　　Emily's shoulders trembled. “Mr. Mitchell, I know what I am. A woman like me—bitter and toxic—would never dare dream. Don't worry, I'd never drag Alex down with me.”

　　“Glad you get it.” James didn't buy her act though. Everything she said just rubbed him the wrong way, like she was doing it on purpose. He threw her a nasty glare and slammed the door on his way out.

　　Later that night, Emily woke up to stabbing stomach pain. She kept tossing and turning on the bed, curled up so tight it hurt. Eventually the pain got so bad that she started sobbing softly.

　　Her cries were loud enough to wake James and Grace next door. They knocked and pushed open the door to find Emily writhing on the carpet, drenched in sweat, clutching her stomach.

　　James was shaken. He scooped her up and rushed her to the hospital. The doctor came out and told him straight—she'd taken abortion pills and lost the baby.

　　James stood frozen outside the OR. He hadn't even known she was pregnant.

　　Seeing his stunned face, Grace gave a heavy sigh. “James, this is all my fault. If I had stepped in earlier, maybe none of this would've happened.”

　　“What do you mean?” he asked bleakly.

　　“Alex came to talk to Emily today. I overheard a few words outside. Sounded like she was with some other guy, got knocked up, and the two of them were planning to get rid of the baby and run off. I didn't catch it all. And with Emily's reputation on the line, I didn't want to stir things up. Thought I'd ask my mom to check in with her tomorrow. I never imagined it would blow up like this tonight.”

　　Her words hit James like a truck.

　　He remembered—Emily's first time had been in the memorial hall. With him. She hadn't been with anyone else since. That baby… it was his.

　　And now she'd gone and ended it. Without so much as a word.

　　His expression darkened, fists slowly clenching. The air around him turned ice-cold. Grace could feel it, and she instantly shut up, scared stiff.

　　James looked like he'd reached his boiling point. And deep down, Grace was thrilled. Emily, you're done for.