Chapter 2

When I returned home, the room had already been tidied up by Ryan.

Buying dumplings was just an excuse to get me out of the house.

"Why did you take so long? It's all my fault. I knew your ears weren't good, yet I still sent you to buy dumplings. If you got hurt or sick, even ten of me couldn't make up for it."

Ryan came up to me, looking slightly apologetic.

A notification sound came from his phone, and he opened it without trying to hide anything from me.

"I'm heading back now. I wouldn't eat something so fattening while I'm trying to maintain my figure. Leave the dumplings for that scrawny cripple to eat."

The man turned around and sent back a voice message, his tone full of affection.

"That's right, you've got curves in all the right places. Keep it up, it'll all be to my benefit in the end. Next time I'll take you to that new Western restaurant that just opened."

This was the man I had loved for so many years. One moment he was showing concern for me, the next he was flirting shamelessly with another woman.

Amber was a freelance model at Ryan's studio. He once whispered in my ear with disdain:

"If we weren't short on models, I wouldn't even look at such a loose woman."

But now that he had achieved fame and fortune, instead of replacing her, he had ended up in bed with the woman he once looked down upon.

"Let's split the dumplings, just like we used to."

Ryan gestured to me, turning to fetch two small bowls from the kitchen. He placed them on the table and began carefully spooning out the dumplings.

His expression was focused, as if he were performing some sacred ritual.

Meeting the man's tender gaze, I felt a pang in my heart.

When Ryan wasn't famous yet, we often ate at this dumpling shop. When money was tight, we'd share a bowl. Although it was barely enough to satisfy our hunger, we were happy.

The freshly made dumplings were soft and delicious, steaming hot.

But now, the dumpling skins had gone soggy, the filling of fresh meat and shrimp had leaked out, and a layer of congealing oil floated on top of the soup.

A wave of nausea suddenly hit me.

"Aria, what's wrong?"

I pushed away the worried-looking Ryan and ran straight to the bathroom.

As I vomited, a terrifying thought crossed my mind.

While Ryan was having an affair with Amber, he hadn't neglected his marital duties with me either.

We both wanted a child, so we hadn't used any protection.

I took a pregnancy test, and sure enough, I was pregnant.

The bathroom door was kicked open with a bang.

"Aria, am I going to be a father? I'm going to be a father!"

When Ryan saw what I was holding, the anxiety on his face turned to excitement. He gestured wildly:

"When you pushed me away earlier, I suddenly felt so scared. Now I realize it was the baby giving us a sign!"

I pressed my lips together, my heart filled with sorrow.

Ryan carried me back to bed and tucked me in.

"You're a mother-to-be now, get some rest."

He then turned to answer his phone, which had been ringing non-stop.

"What is it?"

"Ryan, I'm pregnant! The baby survived even though you were so rough today. This must be a smart and healthy child!"

"What did you say?!"

"You didn't use protection, doesn't that mean you were hoping for this baby too? Let's get married, okay?"

Ryan looked back nervously, but seeing my calm expression, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"I meant for you to take the morning-after pill. Never mind, keep the baby. I'll provide for it, but don't expect anything else."

"But this is my first time being a mother too. I'm so scared. Don't be so harsh with me. Can you come over?"

Seemingly realizing his tone had been too harsh, the man's expression softened.

"Alright, be a good girl and wait for me."

After hanging up, Ryan kissed me on the cheek and signed:

"There's a problem at the studio. I need to go out for a bit."

The model is pregnant, how is that not a studio problem?

As the door slammed shut, I could no longer hide the disgust on my face.

The two of them had just been writhing together on this bed. Even though it had been cleaned, there still seemed to be a lingering smell of musk.

I got up and walked to the guest room.

Did Ryan think he could have one wife at home and keep a mistress outside, enjoying the pleasures of multiple partners?

He's dreaming!

I won't keep the baby.

And I don't want him either.