---- Chapter 14 Nicola halted her steps and turned to look at Lachlan. His face was already bruised and swollen, but he seemed oblivious to his injuries and focused solely on her. "| know I'm not worthy of your forgiveness. | deserve this. | let you down. But | won't do that again. | can't live without you... | promise I'll do that again. Just come back to me, and I'll do anything you want. The baby is still so young. It's our precious baby. Can you bear to let him be born without a father?" His words were sincere, filled with desperation. Hearing his plea, Nicola chuckled derisively. "The baby? I've already had an abortion." "What? That's impossible." Lachlan was stunned, and his gaze was fixed on her abdomen intensely. Being early in the pregnancy, Nicola still had a flat stomach. The folds of her long dress concealed any signs of pregnancy. She had anticipated Lachlan's reaction and gestured for a servant, who promptly handed over a document. Nicola handed it to Lachlan. "Take a look." ---- Lachlan took the paper and read it. Then he realized that it was a medical report of an abortion. The name on it was Nicola's. The procedure date was a week ago, the same day he had last spoken to her on the phone. Lachlan's legs gave way, and he collapsed onto his knees. Nicola looked at him emotionlessly. "You were right last time. Biologically, you are the baby's father, no matter whether we're married or we still love each other. But we will be entangled forever if | give birth to this baby. | no longer love you, and | don't want us to be tied together because of a baby. So | had the abortion." Tears welled up in Lachlan's eyes as he stared at the report. "Nicola, do you despise me so much that you'd act so coldly? This was our baby. How could you have the heart..." "Did | act coldly?" Nicola chuckled as if she'd heard something amusing She had thought she could face Lachlan indifferently, but tears streamed down her face silently. Her gaze turned icy. "Lachlan, what right do you have to accuse me of being cold-hearted? Have you forgotten you betrayed our marriage? When you were fooling around with another woman, did you not think you were being heartless? When you kidnapped me and allowed Cassie to slap me, did ---- you not think you were being heartless?" Lachlan's face turned pale. His lips trembled as he looked at her. Finally, he raised his hand and smacked his face. The force was so strong that a bright red handprint appeared on his face. He continued murmuring while slapping himself,"| was wrong..." Slap! Slap! Slap! One after another, Lachlan's face quickly became swollen. Nicola remained unmoved as she just watched him coldly. "My family pulled the Begum Group back from the brink of bankruptcy. I've dedicated myself to helping your family's business in the past years, but you were ungrateful. Just a few words from others made you think your pride was wounded. Now you don't really love me. You just faced setbacks and realized that your mistress couldn't help you. That's why you remember me. Lachlan, you're always so selfish. How could you think that | would always be there waiting for you? But | don't love you anymore. A single betrayal means you're forever untrustworthy. "I will never forgive you!" Jerold stood nearby. He watched Nicola's tearful face and felt sorry for her. He sternly said to the bodyguards, "What are you waiting for? Throw him out now." ---- Lachlan reached out desperately toward Nicola. "Nicola, Nicola... We can have another baby. Please don't leave me..." Nicola sidestepped his reach and walked straight into the house. The bodyguards grabbed Lachlan by both arms and dragged him out. Lachlan tried to resist, but he was too weak after Jerold had beaten him a moment ago. He was helpless as the bodyguards threw him out. He only watched Nicola disappear inside the house and out of his sight. Nicola's emotions were turbulent, and her chest heaved. Her abdomen ached slightly, and she couldn't help but put a hand over it. Jerold quickly reminded her, saying, "You're still pregnant.Calm down and take a deep breath." Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. 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