Chapter 4 "You're the principal's wife. If you don't show up, people might give Chloe a hard time." The next day, Lucas dragged me to Chloe's award ceremony. The moment we walked in, nasty whispers hit my ears. "That's her. What a slut!" Lucas's buddies let their sleazy stares crawl all over my waist and hips. My face burned red as I turned to leave. "Hey Mrs. Grant! Pregnant chicks get super horny, right? Since Lucas is too busy to hang with us, you must be loving it!" "Ha! Those photos were so creative, Eva! You're wasted on teaching English-should be teaching performance art!" Lucas acted like he didn't hear anything. Just stayed silent. Chloe linked her arm through Lucas's, deliberately raising her voice: "Ms. Mitchell, so glad you could make it! I was worried those photos would make you too ashamed to show your face." The maintenance guy jumped right in: "Hey, why's Ms. Mitchell even wearing clothes? Seems pointless! It's not like we haven't seen everything!" Everyone burst out laughing. Suddenly a sharp female voice cut through: "That's her! That's the shameless bitch who seduced my son!" Before I could react, the woman slapped a diary page across my face. Teacher made me touch her during tutoring at her house... I can't sleep at night] Chloe gasped, covering her mouth: 'Oh my God! Isn't that Tommy's handwriting? He's Ms. Mitchell's student!" The woman grabbed my hair, yanking hard. "My son is only 16! Are you that desperate?" I stared at Lucas, shaking with rage. "It wasn't me!" He knew I never did private tutoring at students' homes. One word from him would clear this up... But he looked away, no intention of defending me. My heart went completely cold. Chloe glanced at Jake, who nodded slightly. Suddenly, sticky moaning sounds exploded through the banquet hall! My voice, Al-processed into a mess, mixed with the whistles from Lucas's crew. I lunged desperately for the speak "I don't believe Ms. Mitchell would do something so disgusting!" Right after Chloe shouted this, she started convulsing and fell backward like she'd been attacked. "Ah! Ms. Mitchell, why did you push me!" Without hesitation, Lucas spun around and caught Chloe. When he looked back at me, the guilt in his eyes was gone. "You ruined Chloe's award ceremony with your sick behavior!" "You know she has a heart condition! When she wakes up, you better apologize!" Lucas carried Chloe out, telling Jake through gritted teeth: "Handle this." Jake smirked, blocking my path and gesturing to the angry parent. My hair was yanked painfully as tears poured down my face. They dragged me while my buttons scattered across the floor. "Principal Grant said to leave Ms. Mitchell some dignity." Jake played with his lighter, flames licking at my dress hem. "Dignified... public humiliation." "I heard she even had sex toys delivered to school. Total disgrace to teaching!" Lucas's buddy egged them on: "Strip her down! After playing around so much, why act innocent now!" Seven or eight hands pinned me down, tearing at my clothes, sharp nails digging into my skin. As I struggled with everything I had, someone shoved me hard from behind. My stomach slammed into an iron flower stand. Agonizing pain shot through my whole body as warm liquid ran down my thighs. "Lucas!" I called for him instinctively, only to realize in despair-he was long gone. "She's bleeding!" Screams echoed as my consciousness faded. When I woke up, the nurse told me the baby was gone. My nose stung with tears. I'd actually scheduled the abortion for today anyway. I guess the baby didn't want to be born into an unhappy family either. My phone buzzed with over a dozen messages from Lucas: [Eva, where are you? Someone said you had a tantrum and broke stuff. You're pregnant! Don't you know to control your emotions? Chloe's not feeling well, I have to take care of her. Wedding's still on tomorrow, just show up.] The last one from thirty minutes ago: You're ignoring my calls? Know your place. I'm willing to give you this wedding-don't push it!] deleted everything and called Daniel: 'I'll be on tomorrow's flight. I'll be there." On the wedding day, Chloe wore that crystal-covered bridesmaid dress, mingling with guests like she owned the place. Lucas kept checking his watch, face getting darker. Guests started whispering-where was the bride? His buddies shared knowing smirks. Hey Lucas, after the ceremony, can the bros have some fun too? Your wife in that wedding dress would be so hot." Lucas's face darkened. "Cut the crap! After today she's my wife. Never mention the past again!" As some guests got restless and started leaving, excitement flashed in Chloe's eyes. Lucas, if Eva's this late to her own wedding, she clearly doesn't want to marry you. Let me be the bride instead!" she headed straight for the bridal waiting room. ucas opened his mouth to stop her but got interrupted by his phone ringing. he hospital. After answering, Lucas asked excitedly: "What? My mom's really awake?"