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She Gave Birth to Another Man’s Child

NovelMaster Completed

Werewolf Romance 现实主义-Realistic重生-Reborn励志-Inspiring

On the day my wife gave birth to her dying first love’s child, her parents hired ten bodyguards to seal off the maternity ward. They were convinced I would storm in and take revenge. But I never showed up. Not even once. Her mother held Chloe’s hand and comforted her. “Don’t be afraid. As long as we’re here, he won’t get anywhere near you.” “Your father has people guarding the entrance too. If that bastard tries to stop you from giving birth, we’ll call the police.” Chloe looked pale and exhausted, but her eyes kept drifting toward the elevator. She was waiting for me. When the doors stayed closed, she finally relaxed. She couldn’t understand why I refused to accept what she had done. In her mind, she was only helping the man she had once loved leave behind a child before he died. When the newborn was placed in her arms, Chloe smiled. She believed I would come back tomorrow. And if I did, she was ready to forgive me for everything. She was even willing to let me raise the child as my own. What she didn’t know was that, while she was giving birth, I had already submitted my application to join a United Nations medical mission. Seven days from now, I would surrender my citizenship, become a doctor without a country, and disappear from her world forever. Chapter 1 The day Chloe walked out of the postpartum care center, I had just finished handing over my work at the hospital. As soon as I reached the door, I heard laughter coming from inside. "This baby is so pretty. Those big eyes are clearly from his father’s best features." My Mrs. Halehappily teased the baby in her arms, while Kevin came out of the kitchen carrying a steaming bowl of broth. "I made this soup myself. Your body is still weak, so you need to eat more." He sat by the bed and fed Chloe with obvious tenderness, and the whole scene looked exactly like a warm, happy family. My Mr. Hale was holding a rattle, smiling so hard he could barely close his mouth. "This kid is so likable, just like his dad. Good thing he isn’t like Ethan, so gloomy and dull. Having a doctor for a father would be such a headache." My hand on the doorknob instantly tightened. I remembered the first time I met my Mr. Hale, when he patted my shoulder and said being a doctor was a good thing. He even said he had been a doctor once too, and if his hand hadn’t been injured in a hospital dispute, he would never have retired so early. But now, he was saying doctors didn’t deserve to have families. I had only been away for further training for a year, and this family had already completely shut me out. I lowered my head and gave a bitter smile. I had been married to Chloe for three years, and she said she didn’t want kids, while I also understood how dangerous childbirth could be for women, so I never forced her to have one. I still remembered the day I left for overseas training, when she cried her eyes out and said she couldn’t bear to part with me. Clearly, for this past year, we had called each other every day and shared our lives, and even our colleagues joked that we had been married for three years, yet still acted like a couple in the honeymoon phase. But a month ago, I finally managed to get leave and come home. Even after an eight-hour flight, I never once said I was tired. Who would have thought that when I rushed home, I would see Chloe with a huge belly, standing beside her first love, the man she had always had a soft spot for. My thoughts were pulled back by Kevin’s words. "Ethan, when did you get back? Why are you standing at the door and not coming in?" At his words, the others in the room also turned to look toward the door. When my Mr. Hale saw the resignation report in my hand, his brows knitted even tighter. "I really don’t know why I chose to trust my daughter to someone like you in the first place. What bad luck. Now that you’ve quit your job, are you planning to have us two old folks support you?" "Is that how you behave as a husband?" My Mrs. Halejoined in criticizing me too. "You quit? You couldn’t even keep this job. Tell me, what else can you do?" "Chloe’s body isn’t convenient right now, but she and the baby will need money for everything. If you don’t work, are the three of you supposed to live on air?" Hearing that, I only found it laughable. "Whoever’s wife and kid they are, that person should be the one to support them." "What did you say, Ethan? Why do you have no sense of responsibility at all?" Chloe finally couldn’t hold it in anymore. Her eyes were red as she shouted at me, and because she was too worked up, she clutched her chest and started coughing violently. "If Kevin hadn’t saved me from that car crash three years ago, I might have died already. His parents are both gone, and now he’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer. In a little while, no one in this world may even remember him anymore." "Why do you always have to target him? In your heart, do you really think I’m that filthy and disgusting of a woman?" Kevin rubbed her back with obvious distress, then turned to look at me. "Ethan, say less, okay? I know it’s all my fault. I promise I won’t appear in your lives again from now on, but don’t let me ruin the relationship between you two, okay?" Looking at the four people in front of me, who had clearly already unified their front, I felt even more like laughing. So this was what a real family looked like. Just then, Chloe suddenly said, "Ethan, my patience has limits too. If you dare keep targeting Kevin for no reason in the future, then don’t come back to this family!" "If you still want to stay with me, then calm down. I can let you be this child’s father." Next week? I glanced at the baby already asleep in the stroller. Next week, I would be leaving for overseas. But before I left, I didn’t mind giving them a surprise they would never forget. Without changing my expression, I nodded. "Fine." Chapter 2 After that, I ignored their reactions and turned around to go back to the bedroom to pack my things. Since I had already decided to leave for good, I didn’t want to leave behind any trace of myself here. The laughter from outside the living room came through the door, and my hands folding clothes paused slightly. "Kevin, I want this baby to keep your last name. That way, even if he calls someone else dad in the future, he’ll still always remember that you’re his real father." Even without seeing it myself, I could imagine the deep affection on Chloe’s face when she said that. And my heart had already been left by her in ruins. I suddenly thought of last month, when I had rushed home with souvenirs I had specially bought for Chloe overseas. But at the doorway, I saw Chloe and Kevin walking back hand in hand from a stroll. Unlike the panic on Chloe’s face, Kevin looked at me with confusion and asked if I had come to the wrong house. I didn’t say a word, only stared fixedly at Chloe’s pregnant belly. After being away from home for eleven months, my wife was pregnant. No matter what, I couldn’t lie to myself and say this child could be mine. Only when Chloe hurriedly stepped in front of Kevin to introduce him to me did I hear her say, "This is my husband, Ethan." I had thought that after hearing that, Kevin would at least restrain himself, but instead, he invited me in like he was the master of the house and told me to sit for a while. As we brushed past each other, he lowered his voice so only the two of us could hear. "I heard you’re a lot older than me? Then I’ll call you bro, I guess, since the baby in your wife’s belly is mine." My blood surged hot in my chest, and I couldn’t hold back anymore. I smashed my fist hard into his face. I completely lost my reason, and the longing from those eleven months apart from Chloe turned into rage. If I had had a knife in my hand, I might really have killed that cheating man and woman on the spot. It wasn’t until a neighbor heard the noise and called the police. We were both taken in, but because it involved family matters, the police couldn’t really get involved and could only let us go home first. The moment we got home, my Mr. Hale and Mrs. Halerushed over after hearing the news, and without asking anything, they launched straight into yelling at me. They said I had just come back and already caused such a huge scene that the neighbors had a field day laughing at us. They also said all those years of school had been wasted on me if I could still hit someone, and if anything really happened, they would never let me off. It turned out they had known all along that Chloe and Kevin were together, and they had even strongly supported it. In just one short year, Kevin had become the perfect son-in-law in their eyes. I was the only one kept in the dark. My mouth tasted bitter, and I felt horrible. Chloe then shakily walked up to me, trying to take my hand and persuade me. "I never meant to betray you. Kevin isn’t in good health. The doctor said he only has six months left at most. I couldn’t bear to watch him die without even leaving behind an heir." "I also thought about discussing it with you before, but you were overseas, and I was afraid you’d worry too much and it would affect your studies, so I thought I’d wait until you came back to talk about it." "If you’re willing, can’t we raise this child together?" Something as big as raising a child came out of her mouth like it was nothing at all. I put the last piece of clothing into the suitcase, and just then my Mrs. Halepushed open the door and walked in. When she saw the suitcase by my feet, she looked as if to say I was finally being sensible, and said, "You never came back before, so I let Kevin sleep in your room. The study’s been turned into the nursery too. You can make do on the couch tonight, or do you want to go stay in a hotel?" I was truly exhausted, and I didn’t have the energy to go find a hotel anymore. So I nodded and planned to make do on the sofa for one night. But in the middle of the night, the baby kept crying from the bedroom. I turned over, and just as I was about to put on my earplugs, I heard Chloe’s complaint too. "Can you deal with the baby already? He keeps crying like this." "Aren’t you my baby? Just take care of you. Let the kid cry a little longer and train his lungs." Chloe laughed softly and said he was annoying. Right after that came the sound of the bed shaking. I pulled the blanket over my head and did my best to ignore those filthy sounds. But every time I closed my eyes, Chloe’s face from the first time she confessed to me seemed to appear in front of me. Back then, she was pure and beautiful, and her whole heart and eyes were full of me. But that version of her no longer belonged to me. Chapter 3 I slept through the night in a daze, and at dawn the next day I dragged my suitcase out the door. I went to handle the necessary overseas paperwork. Because I had government-approved documents, everything was processed very quickly, and the staff didn’t ask me much. Only when I was about to leave did the staff suddenly call me back, and she handed me a piece of fruit candy. "May all you wish for come true in the end." I smiled gratefully at her, then found a hotel nearby after I came out. After putting down my luggage, I was about to go out and find something to eat, but I ran into Chloe and Kevin, along with their family of four. Kevin was wearing an expensive custom-tailored Armani suit, and he looked full of energy and health. There was not the slightest sign of someone dying soon. "Ethan, I thought it looked like you from far away just now, but Chloe kept saying there was no way you’d be out here." His gaze fell on the recruitment flyer in my hand, and he gave a knowing smile. "Ethan, so you’re out looking for work. But with such a skinny build, going to a construction site to move bricks would just be making things hard on yourself, wouldn’t it?" I said nothing. This job flyer had been handed to me by a young girl on the street just now. I saw her handing out leaflets outside in the winter, so I took one without thinking. Seeing that I still hadn’t spoken and was only gripping the flyer tighter, Kevin laughed with wild arrogance. "You should’ve said earlier that you were looking for work. Maybe I could help with something. We’re all family, after all. If you’re doing well, Chloe will have someone to depend on for the rest of her life, and I can rest easy too." And my silence at that moment was basically an admission. Chloe, who had originally only looked puzzled, suddenly changed expression completely. She frowned hard, and her eyes were full of disgust as she looked at me. "What’s there to recommend? He chose on his own to quit such a good doctor’s job. Even if he starves to death now, he doesn’t deserve anyone’s sympathy." "Ethan, you really have no sense of responsibility at all. Do you think doing this will force me to give up the baby?" I looked at her familiar face, but now she felt completely strange to me. I still remembered that when we had just gotten married, my position had wavered because of vicious internal competition at the hospital, and I had once wanted to quit and change careers. After hearing that, Chloe only held me in her arms. She patted my back gently and said in my ear softly, "No matter what decision you make, I’ll support you." "Quitting your job is no big deal. I believe outstanding people will always shine. Honey, I’ll always be with you." But the person who said she would always be with me was now letting another man humiliate me. She had forgotten what she once said to me, and maybe she had also forgotten the love she once had for me so deeply. Even my Mr. Hale and Mrs. Halebehind her kept shaking their heads at me. "I was blind before, to think I’d ever trust my daughter’s future happiness to you!" "Luckily we two old folks are still alive. If we had already been gone, who knows how you would’ve tortured our daughter." The two of them got more and more exaggerated, and before long, the passersby around us were also turning to look our way. My hands hanging at my sides slowly clenched into fists. Just as I was about to speak, Kevin suddenly stepped forward. "We’re about to go take some photos. Ethan, why don’t you come too? I’ll be counting on you to help take care of Chloe and the baby for the rest of our lives." Chloe immediately cut him off, giving a cold snort of contempt. "Look at the cheap, shabby way he’s dressed. If he gets in the picture, he’ll only drag down our family’s image." After that, she turned and headed toward the studio, not forgetting to urge Kevin to hurry and follow. "Since that’s the case, we’re leaving first. We won’t keep you from finding a job." Kevin patted my shoulder meaningfully. Watching his retreating back, I no longer felt the slightest ripple in my heart. In other people’s eyes, what a harmonious family this was. If that was what Chloe wanted, then what was wrong with letting go and giving it to her? Chapter 4 Three days before I left, I received a message from the hospital director. He said that the expert I had asked him to contact before just happened to be in the country today for a forum, and he could help take a look at my Mr. Hale’s coronary disease. My Mr. Hale’s heart had never been great, and years ago he had even been rushed to the emergency room. So while I was studying overseas, I had also asked colleagues around me to help me gather some related case studies. No matter what, there was still years of affection between us. Once I finished this last thing, I would truly owe them nothing anymore. But when my Mr. Hale heard that I wanted to take him to the hospital, his face turned ugly on the spot. "What are you taking me to the hospital for all of a sudden? Are you trying to curse me, you punk? My heart bypass surgery was clearly already successful. What’s there to check?" "There happens to be a top expert in cardiology in the country today. You can go see him, maybe do some preventive care for the future..." Before I could finish, my Mr. Hale slammed the water cup into me. "You’re the only one who knows how to talk pretty. Do you think a top expert is someone an unemployed bum like you can just book whenever you want? All you do all day is brag! Look at Kevin. He once stayed up all night to help me get an appointment with an expert. Where were you then?" He kept using Kevin to compare me to himself, and his attitude already said everything. So no matter what I did, it was wrong, and no matter how I did it, I could never compare to Kevin. When that thought surfaced in my heart, I could only smile bitterly. "If you don’t want to go, then forget it." It was just me minding other people’s business and rushing in to humiliate myself. To celebrate the baby’s birth, Chloe specially called everyone over to liven things up. When I saw the banquet hall packed with relatives I didn’t even know by name, I felt a little dazed. And right at the entrance to the banquet hall, there was even a photo of their family of five posted up. As for me, from beginning to end, I was just a joke. When the relatives and friends saw me show up, they immediately started saying something, and even without hearing it, I could guess what it was. Soon after, my aunt pulled my arm and made small talk. "Ethan, when did you get back? Why didn’t we hear Chloe mention it?" "I heard that after coming back from your overseas study program this time, you’re about to be promoted to chief attending physician at the Central Hospital. Your future looks so bright!" I didn’t say anything, only slightly nodded in polite acknowledgment. But I could clearly see the contempt in their eyes. After all, I wasn’t in the family photo. And the person who stayed by Chloe’s side at the banquet wasn’t me either. One busybody pointed at the man not far away who was feeding Chloe dessert and asked, "Ethan, who’s that guy? I never heard you had a younger brother." I smiled faintly. "Chloe’s new husband." The aunts who had their ears perked up for gossip instantly widened their eyes, then huddled together and started whispering. Since Chloe’s family didn’t care, why should I help them hide it? Just then, Chloe walked onto the stage and picked up the microphone. "I’m very happy everyone could come to my son’s full-moon banquet." "Before this, I had never thought about becoming a mother. I always felt like I couldn’t possibly take on the role of one, but the moment I lay in the delivery room and heard the cry of a baby, I realized just how great the power of motherhood really is." She spoke with such passion, as if she was about to be moved to tears by herself any second. The aunt standing next to me shouted, "Bring the baby’s father up here to say a few words too! Where is the baby’s father?" The atmosphere in the banquet hall froze for a second. Everyone’s gaze kept shifting back and forth between me and Kevin. The answer was already obvious, but the aunt’s fussing seemed to be waiting for Chloe to admit it herself. I met Chloe’s eyes, then slowly walked onto the stage. Under her stunned expression, I took the microphone from her hand. "What are you doing? I’m warning you, don’t talk nonsense, or I’m not done with you." Panic flashed in her eyes as she grabbed my sleeve and warned me in a low voice, but I pulled my hand away without even looking at her. If you hadn’t done anything shameful, why would you be afraid of ghosts knocking at the door? At the same time, I said calmly, "First of all, thank you all so much for coming all this way to attend today’s full-moon banquet." "Everyone here has watched me and Chloe walk into marriage back then, and after we got married, I have always remembered everyone’s blessings, but when you came in just now, you should have also seen the family photo at the door." At my words, Chloe’s face changed instantly. She stormed toward me with a dark expression, trying to snatch the microphone from my hand. I quickly stepped aside to dodge her, tightened my grip on the microphone, and continued: "Honestly, I was shocked when I saw it too, but what shocked me even more was that I spent a year overseas studying, and after I came back to the country, my wife, who had originally sworn she didn’t want kids, was actually eight months pregnant." "I can’t swallow this anger, and I refuse to carry this blame!" "Chloe, let’s get divorced."

Chapters (4)

第1章

Ten years after I stood in for my brother at his own wedding, he suddenly came back. The whole family stared at him in dead silence. He yawned, stretching lazily as he spoke. "Thirteen countries. Man, I am exhausted." "Where’s Lily? She must be in elementary school by now. Why isn't she here to greet her real dad?" Lily is my brother’s daughter. Ten years ago, he suddenly announced he had a child. Then, on the day of his wedding, he faked his own death, abandoning both his newborn daughter and his fiancée. The Vance family is New York old money royalty. My parents didn't dare offend them. Desperate, they practically gift-wrapped me—a fresh college graduate—and shipped me off to the altar. For the past ten years, I’ve been a devoted husband and a loving father. Now, watching my brother act like he owned the place. My parents turned their hesitant eyes toward me. I just smiled faintly. "Lily and her mother are on vacation in the Bahamas." Hearing this, Julian frowned, his face twisting in annoyance. "Didn't I tell you guys I was coming home? Didn't you tell Audrey I'd be back?" I calmly took a sip of my coffee. Ten years of navigating the business world had changed me. I was no longer the invisible, quiet kid living in my brother’s shadow. My silence pushed Julian over the edge. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his voice screeching. "Ethan! What is that supposed to mean? Don’t forget, I was the one betrothed to the Vance family! Now that I’m back, did you really think you could keep playing the wealthy son-in-law?" I glanced up at him and chuckled. "Julian, I have no idea what you’re talking about. My wife and I are doing great." Over the years, I had accompanied Audrey Vance to countless charity galas and high-society events. We were known as the golden couple of New York's elite. Audrey’s image as a devoted family woman had earned her massive respect—and lucrative deals—from her business partners. Maybe there was no burning romance between Audrey and me, but we shared something far stronger than love. Leverage. Mutual benefit. And that was exactly why I was so confident. Julian looked at me in disbelief. He pointed a trembling finger at my face. "Ethan! Have you no shame? Audrey was supposed to be mine!" I set my coffee cup down and replied calmly, with absolute dignity. "No. Audrey and I are legally married." My gaze was firm. I stood up, completely done with this circus. Our parents stood by, looking utterly helpless. Julian lunged forward, grabbing our mother's arm. "Mom! He's insane! Audrey and I were together all through college! If it weren't for my connection to the Vances, how could our family business have grown this big?" My parents had always favored Julian. But this time, Mom stole a glance at my cold expression before mumbling in a weak voice. "But... you ran away, Julian. You even faked your own death. We didn't hear a single word from you for ten years." "There was no groom at the altar. If Ethan hadn't stepped in, the Vance family would have been humiliated. They would have ruined us, and our company would have gone bankrupt!" Julian froze for a split second, stammering to defend himself. "I... I just wasn't ready for marriage back then. But I'm back now, aren't I?" "Besides, you know how arrogant the Vances are. They always looked down on our family. If I had married into their family back then, I would have been treated like a dog. I would have been humiliated every day!" My eyes grew cold as I asked, "Then why are you back now?" Julian answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Because the Vances have accepted you now! That means they'll accept me too. It's perfect!" "I'll take over as Audrey's husband. I'm sure they won't treat me too badly now. Lily can finally be with her real dad. It's a win-win for everyone." With that, he took a few steps forward and grabbed my hands, looking at me with forced sincerity. "Ethan, you're free! You can finally go and find your own happiness." I stared blankly into his eyes. Those clear eyes carried the absolute, cruel naivety of a child who had been spoiled his entire life. A naivety that was sickening. He genuinely believed that I, the neglected younger brother, was born to sacrifice myself for him. With a cold laugh, I yanked my hands away. "I'm perfectly happy with my life, Julian. You’re the one who needs a reality check." I turned and walked out of that heartless house.

第2章

I didn't care what Julian was feeling behind my back. It couldn't be anything good. But I knew his stubborn, petulant nature all too well. He wouldn't give up easily. Exhausted, I drove back to the Vance estate. Lately, I had been buried in corporate projects, working late into the night almost every day. As I walked through the door, I massaged my aching temples. An hour ago, when my parents texted me on Snapchat that my brother was back, my entire body had frozen. I always knew this day might come, but when it actually did, it still caught me off guard. I hung my briefcase on the rack and spotted a pair of high heels on the floor. I blinked, quickly forcing my usual polite, perfect smile onto my face. "You're back?" a warm voice called out. I turned around. Audrey was wearing a black lace nightgown. Even in simple sleepwear, her stunning curves, porcelain skin, and flawless features were captivating. A gentle smile played on her lips. She frowned slightly, concern washing over her face. "Why do you look so exhausted? Haven't you been sleeping?" I smiled. "Just too many things at the office. Did you have fun on your trip? How is Lily?" Audrey walked over and slid into my arms. She pressed her face against my chest, her slender fingers gently tracing my back as she whispered, "Lily loved it. She was so tired she fell asleep immediately. The only pity was that you weren't there. Next time, we'll go as a family of three." "I missed you," she murmured, her voice laced with intimacy. I kissed her soft hair, but my heart felt as cold as ice. When her soft lips pressed against mine, my body stiffened. My mind was completely flooded with the venomous words Julian had said to me earlier. For the first time, I didn't kiss her back. Instead, I gently pushed her back, creating a small distance between us. "I..." I stopped mid-sentence because I felt Audrey's body freeze. My sharp instincts told me she was unhappy. After a long, tense silence, Audrey smiled, finding an excuse for me. "You're just too tired. Go take a shower and get some sleep." She saved us from the awkwardness. With that, she gave me a quick peck on the cheek and let me go. I nodded and headed upstairs. Behind me, standing in the shadows, Audrey's expression darkened. The warmth drained from her face as her sharp gaze locked onto my retreating back. The next morning, I drove out of the estate to head to work. Right outside the residential gates, a familiar figure blocked my path. My hands gripped the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white. Julian saw my car. He ran straight into the middle of the road, forcing me to slam on the brakes. The cars behind me honked furiously. It was morning rush hour. The neighborhood security guards rushed over, trying to pull Julian away. But Julian fought them off, screaming at the top of his lungs. "Ethan! Stop hiding in your car! You stole my woman! Have you no shame?" His screeching voice drew the attention of everyone nearby. I pulled my car over to make sure I wasn't blocking the gate, then got out. I glared at him. Julian offered a smug smile, running a hand through his messy hair. He sneered, "What? Embarrassed? Or are you afraid Audrey will dump you once she knows I'm back?" My voice was like ice. "Julian, you are harassing me. This is my final warning. Stay away from me." Julian didn't take my warning seriously at all. Instead, his smile turned triumphant. "Stop acting. You're terrified. You've lived in my shadow your whole life, Ethan. It's only natural that you'd be jealous of me and try to steal my life." He took a few steps closer, leaning in to whisper in my ear. "Too bad a parasite always gets thrown out in the end. I'll wait right here. When I see Audrey, I'll explain everything. She'll take me back." "And Lily? She's my daughter. We share the same blood. You'll never be her real father!" Without a word, I got back into my car and drove off. This time, Julian didn't block me. In the rearview mirror, I could see him smiling as my car sped away. A chill ran down my spine. Julian had been spoiled since childhood. He had no boundaries. Whenever things didn't go his way, he threw tantrums like a giant toddler. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. Over the past ten years, I had poured my heart and soul into this marriage and my career. If we divorced, both Audrey and I would suffer massive financial and reputational losses. Audrey had a family empire to fall back on. But I only had myself.

第3章

Sitting in my office, my mind drifted to the past. Back in elementary school, Julian spent every break playing basketball, never touching his homework. Afraid of the teachers' wrath, he would take my completed assignments and put his name on them. My parents always justified it. They said I was a straight-A student, so the teachers wouldn't mind if I "forgot" my homework. But Julian was different. If he didn't hand it in, the teachers would scold him in front of the whole class. A boy's pride was everything, they said. So, to save Julian's pride, my hard work was routinely stolen. Eventually, I learned to write two copies of every assignment just to keep the peace. In high school, Julian was the popular kid. He chased the prettiest girls, got into fights, and charmed his teachers. Even though his grades were terrible, his outgoing personality earned him tons of friends. His entire life, someone had always been there to clean up his messes. Meanwhile, I had to walk on eggshells, calculating every single step. In college, he met Audrey Vance at a music festival. They formed an indie rock band and played in local bars. For two months, while I was working three part-time jobs just to afford my tuition, they were living out their wild youth on stage. I thought that once I graduated, I would save enough money to escape my toxic family forever. Until one night, Julian stumbled home late, reeking of alcohol. My parents stayed up to make him soup and undressed him. The whole house revolved around him. But then, a drunken Julian dropped a bomb that shocked everyone. He was going to be a father. For weeks, a suffocating silence hung over the house. My parents were in a frenzy over the sudden scandal. I was busy working my summer jobs to save for my final year of tuition. The only relaxed person in the house was Julian. He had absolutely no concept of what being a father meant. To cover up the scandal, my parents kept him locked in the house. Meanwhile, our family negotiated a marriage alliance with the Vances. They agreed to hold the wedding after a paternity test proved the child was Julian's. Everything was set. The Vances had reluctantly accepted the arrangement. After all, if the scandal leaked, the Vance family name would be dragged through the mud, and their stock prices would plunge. The night before the wedding, I took a four-hour train ride home to attend. But the next morning, Julian vanished. The bridal suite was left with nothing but baby Lily in her crib and a room full of furious Vances. Audrey’s face was dark, while my parents stood trembling in the corner. Then, their eyes slowly drifted to me. My mother grabbed me as if I were a lifeline. "We have another son! He's never even been in a relationship! We'll give him to you to make up for this!" My father immediately chimed in. "Yes! Ethan! Hurry! Your brother is gone. You have to take his place!" I stood frozen, my mind unable to process their words. Before I could speak, my parents grabbed my arms, trying to drag me into the dressing room to force me into a tuxedo. I struggled against them, my heart sinking into a bottomless abyss. Anger and disbelief clashed violently inside me. I had lived the first twenty years of my life in Julian's shadow. Now, they wanted me to sacrifice the rest of my life for him too? The sheer injustice of it made my throat tight. For the first time in my life, I snapped. I screamed and yanked my hands free. "Why?! Why do I have to pay for his selfishness? This is his mess, not mine!" My father's hand flew across my face, delivering a vicious slap. "Julian is your family!"

第4章

I stumbled back, my cheek burning with pain. My mother sobbed, tears streaming down her face. "What Julian did was terrible, I know! But you can't just watch our family get ruined! The guests are already waiting in the chapel!" I face went pale. I forced the words out through grit teeth. "I am not getting married!" No matter how much they begged or tried to push me, I refused to budge. I grabbed a fruit knife from the table, pressed the blade against my neck, and hissed with bloodshot eyes, "If anyone forces me, I'll end it right here!" At that, everyone froze. I didn't care if they were worried about my life or just terrified of the legal mess a suicide would cause. It didn't matter. I had already graduated. Once I got a job, my freedom would be absolute. The room fell into a tense standoff. Finally, Audrey suggested we speak in private. Everyone was ushered out of the room. In the dressing suite, only Audrey and I remained. Thirty minutes later. The doors opened. I walked out in a tailored tuxedo, placing my hand flatly in Audrey's. With a smile that looked more painful than crying, I got married. My thoughts snapped back to the present. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of my high-rise office, looking down at the city. It had taken me ten years of blood, sweat, and tears to earn this office. Just as a sudden chill washed over me, a pair of arms wrapped around my waist from behind. I flinched slightly, but the sweet scent of cherry blossoms immediately put me at ease. "What are you thinking so hard about? You didn't even hear me walk in," a soft voice whispered in my ear. I smiled. "Just preparing for the Business Gala tomorrow." Audrey took my hand, looking up at me with a smile. "I believe in you, Ethan. Your capability is unquestionable." The corners of my lips curved upward. "Why did you come by the office? Isn't the headquarters busy?" "It's fine. I wanted to drive you home. Also, Lily mentioned she wants to see that new movie tomorrow." I nodded absentmindedly. Audrey leaned up and pressed her lips to mine. I gently ruffled her hair. When we got home that night, there was no sign of Julian. He was surprisingly quiet. I figured my parents had locked him in his room to protect their own business interests. Just like they did years ago. I was physically and mentally drained. The moment my head hit the pillow, I fell into a deep sleep. In the middle of the night, a warm, soft body wrapped tightly around me from behind. The next evening, the grand hall of the annual Business Gala was packed with elite guests mingling with champagne glasses in hand. After doing my rounds of socializing, I took a quick break and headed to the VIP lounge. Lily was sitting obediently on the plush sofa, waiting for me. Her eyes lit up when she saw me. "Are we still going to the movies after this, Daddy?" I smiled warmly, gently tapping her nose. "Of course. Have we ever broken a promise to you?" Lily giggled happily. Seeing her smile eased some of the tension in my chest. Still, since the start of the gala, I had been plagued by an uneasy feeling. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the heavy doors of the ballroom. As I scanned the crowd, my eyes locked onto a familiar figure, and my entire body stiffened. Not far away, Julian was holding Audrey's arm, speaking to her urgently. Audrey had her back to me, so I couldn't see her expression. A second later, Julian spotted me. He pointed a finger at me, his face twisting into a hideous snarl. "I'm your real husband, Audrey! He’s a shameless thief who stole you and our daughter!" In an instant, every eye in the ballroom turned to me.