She shook her head in despondence, then located the lawyer previously recommended within the group, intending to stay at Sarah's house for a while.

Her luggage was still stored there.

Just then,a car appeared in her line of sight.

The window rolled down, and Austin looked at her, his gaze commanding.

Ella gritted her teeth and refused to get in,instead striding forward.

Austin followed her in his car, maintaining a short distance.

"Get in," he ordered.

"I've called a ride," she replied coldly.

Austin stopped the car, opened the door, and strode over to grab her arm."

Are you done with this tantrum?"

"Let go of me!"

Despite Ella's fierce struggle, Austin lifted her and placed her forcefully in the car.

When Ella tried to escape, the door slammed shut.

"Austin!"

She turned to face him as he got into the car, her eyes blazing with anger.

Austin sat silently for a moment, then leaned over to fasten her seatbelt."

We're going home."

Ella grabbed his hand forcefully, her nails digging into his skin, leaving bloody scratches and marks.

The more she struggled. the more Austin pressed her down. "Ella!"

She glared back. "Let me out!"

"No."

His temple pulsed visibly with anger.

"Austin, I already told you about separating."

"Did I agree to that?" Austin's face was cold, emanating frost, as if he'd reached his breaking point.

Ella was infuriated.

Wasn't his silence equivalent to agreement?

"You're being unreasonable!"

"I am unreasonable. Deal with it," Austin scoffed,finding her childish.

Ella fell silent.

After sitting in the passenger seat and collecting her thoughts,Ella asked,"Austin, what exactly do you want?"

"You know Grandmother's health condition. I don't want her worrying about us."

"Stop bringing Grandma into this. Weren't you the one who upset her the most before?"

"This time it's different. The doctor said her health is fragile; she cannot endure any more shocks. If she does..." He trailed off, but the implication was unmistakable.

Ella,unaware of this, found herself momentarily stunned.

Karen was the kindest soul to her; she could never be ungrateful.

After a prolonged silence, she finally exhaled and averted her gaze, tacitly acquiescing to his suggestion.

Her fingers lightly tapped on her phone, inadvertently reopening the group chat.

Surprisingly, Jason had only responded to the message asking about Ella.

[Forgot about her long ago.]

The light from the screen illuminated her face as her heart gave a small twinge.

It seemed he still hadn't forgiven her.

Upon returning home, Ella immediately retreated to her bedroom and locked the door firmly behind her.

For the first time, Austin found her childishness laughably exasperating.and he knocked sharply on the door. "Open the door!"

"From today onwards, we sleep apart."

Dragging her weary body onto the bed, Ella wished to see nothing more of him.

Amused by her defiance, Austin knocked once again, a smirk tugging at

his lips. "This is the master bedroom!"

Ella offered no response; instead, she opened the door and flung his belongings out in one sweep before slamming it shut with a resounding bang.

Austin stared at the chaotic mess scattered across the floor, his expression darkening with frustration.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason,the image of Ella's pale and frail face flickered through his mind.

Was she ill?

Could it be a lingering effect of the injuries from the recent fire?

With that thought, Austin pressed his lips tightly together and descended the stairs in solemn contemplation.

The next morning, breaking news reported a surrogacy scandal at a certain hospital, shocking the internet.

Ella watched the news on her phone, feeling a bittersweet vindication.

But the relief was quickly replaced by a sharp, persistent ache in her heart.Her baby was gone forever.

It had been her first child.

Ella sobbed uncontrollably, covering her mouth as her entire body shook.

The door was knocked on again.

Austin impatiently rapped on the door, as if demanding entry.

Ella stifled her sobs, wiped her tears, and composed herself before opening the door.

Seeing Ella's haggard face, his cold gaze softened with concern. "Not feeling well?"

Ella was momentarily taken aback. Was he truly concerned about her?

Her heart softened slightly, and she was about to respond when a soft,gentle voice interrupted beside her.

"Ella, are you feeling uneasy because I'm moving in? If that's the case.then I'll leave."

Only then did Ella notice Judith standing nearby, and the fleeting warmth in her chest immediately dissipated.

What was she thinking? How could Austin possibly care for her?

A faint, self-mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips. "You're overthinking. This is Austin's home; whom he chooses to bring back is none of my concern."

Leaning against the doorframe to prevent her from closing it, Austin's tone was icy cold. "What tantrum are you throwing? Judith's home is being renovated, so she can't live there a few days. Can't you show some understanding?"

"She can't stay at a hotel, so she has to move into your house? Austin, at least pick a better excuse."

Austin was rendered speechless, his expression growing darker by the moment.

Judith,however, looked as if she'd been grievously wronged,her eyes reddened. "It's not like that, Austin just worries about me being alone. If you mind,"

"I said whoever he wants to bring home is nothing to me."

Ella exhaled deeply, unwilling to watch their charade any longer.

Just then, a servant came upstairs to summon them for dinner, and Ella made her way toward the dining room.

But as she stepped onto the next stair, a sudden, sharp pain radiated from her abdomen. Her legs buckled, and she nearly fell.

Austin moved to support her, but at that moment, Judith gasped and fell directly into Austin's arms.

Austin's strong arms encircled her.

Ella stumbled, nearly tumbling down the stairs, but managed to grab the handrail.

Looking back, she saw the two locked in an embrace.

Austin regarded Judith anxiously in his arms, asking, "Are you alright?"

Ella, long accustomed to such scenes, swiftly descended the stairs, eager to escape this turmoil.

At the dinner table, she ate quietly, when suddenly she heard Austin's cold command.

"Handle the hiring of the new maid."

His voice bore no trace of emotion, as if she were nothing more than a

subordinate.

Ella offered no reply, silently continuing to consume the food before her.