Oops! I Ruined His Life Back - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

It all came crashing down on me at once—Sydney's anger, the distance between us, everything that had been falling apart. None of it was random. It was Jenna. Her constant meddling had pushed Sydney over the edge, but I was sure I could smooth things over. I could explain.
Jenna was just a temporary distraction. Sydney was the one I wanted to marry.
Just as I was trying to convince myself, my phone buzzed again. I expected Jenna, but the screen flashed with Hunter Collins' name—my old friend, now a doctor.
"Hey," I answered, forcing my voice to stay steady.
"Charles, listen. Your wife needs to come in for a follow-up after the miscarriage. It's been weeks." Hunter's tone was calm, but there was no mistaking the gravity in his words.
"Miscarriage?" My blood ran cold. "What are you talking about? When did this happen?"
"She was in a car accident, Charles. The baby didn't make it." His voice dropped. "You didn't know?"
"A car accident? Why the hell didn't Sydney tell me?" My hands clenched into fists.
But the truth hit me before Hunter could answer. She had tried to tell me. I'd blocked her.
Hunter hesitated. "It happened on the 13th. Three-car pileup. She was unconscious when they brought her in."
Suddenly, everything made sense. My stomach twisted. "I… I'll talk to her," I managed, my voice rough.
I hung up, staring at my phone like it had betrayed me. The full picture was clear now—why Sydney hadn't shown up to sign the marriage certificate, why she'd been so distant, why she'd ended things.
I pulled up my call log. There they were: three missed calls from Sydney on the morning of the 13th. Three times she'd reached out. Three times I'd ignored her—too busy comforting Jenna. I'd even blocked her after the third call.
She hadn't just been calling to talk. She'd been calling for help. Sydney had been in a goddamn accident, and I'd left her hanging.
The weight of my mistake crushed me. Those weren't just calls—they were desperate. She'd needed me, and I'd failed her. Now it was too late. I'd give anything to go back, to answer that damn phone.
What if I had? How terrified had she been in that moment? What had she felt when I didn't pick up?
The regret was suffocating. I slapped my own face in frustration, the sting doing nothing to ease the guilt.
I remembered Sydney's face when she first told me she was pregnant—the joy, the hope. And now? I'd destroyed it all. I had to find her. Apologize. Fix this.
I bolted for the door, but Jenna stepped into my path.
"Charles, where are you going?" Her eyes welled up. "Do you hate me that much?"
"Not now, Jenna." I tried to sidestep her. "This is important."
Of course, she didn't back down. She yanked open the passenger door before I could even get in the car.
"Jenna, stop," I snapped, frustration boiling over. "I don't have time for this!"
Her face crumpled. I'd never raised my voice at her before, and the shock in her eyes made my chest tighten—but not with guilt. Just irritation.
She started crying. "Charles, what are we?"
Once, her tears would've wrecked me. Now? All I felt was the urge to walk away.