Chapter 5

He didn't release me until I was dazed and disoriented.

"I really hope this baby is born soon. He's kind of getting in the way of our relationship."

I raised my eyebrows slightly. Didn't he only buy me for a year? What, was he planning to renew?

"Take me back downstairs. If I don't return soon, Mr. Quinn will worry."

Frederick reluctantly hugged me a bit more, then called over a server.

"I'll have him take you back. I have some things to handle, so I need to leave first."

Of course he didn't dare appear.

This debt-repayment game should end.

After the child was born and the transaction ended, I would be free.

Whether Ethan or Frederick, I didn't want to be deceived anymore.

The server led me from the garden back to the main hall.

In the garden, I happened to run into Ethan and his friends.

Seeing me, Ethan's voice changed completely.

"What happened to your mouth?"

Looks like Frederick smeared my lipstick. He really was terrible.

"Didn't you just kiss me, Ethan? Are you done with your business?"

I couldn't see Ethan's expression. I only heard his friends' suggestive laughter.

"Alright, stop laughing. Don't let her notice something's wrong!"

Ethan scolded his friends in a low voice, but he obviously didn't expect my hearing to be this sharp.

"I didn't expect this side of you, Ethan. But Miss Lyra, you should be careful. Since you can't see, don't let others take advantage of you without knowing."

Miranda's voice rang out softly, full of malice.

"That's none of your concern. Ethan and I are getting married soon. You're welcome to attend. I wonder when Miss plans to get married---you shouldn't keep hanging around men for too long. It's bad for your reputation."

"You!"

Miranda became furious, choking back a sob before running away.

"Did I say something wrong? I'm so sorry. Ethan, you should go check on her. I hope Miss doesn't have any problems."

I looked innocent. Ethan ended up chasing after Miranda.

Over the next few days, Ethan didn't come home again. I knew he was busy comforting the angry Miranda.

Instead, Frederick came every single day without fail. Even though I ignored him, he didn't get angry.

Now that I was pregnant, I was too lazy to maintain appearances. When Frederick tried to kiss me, I pushed him away.

"Are you in a bad mood because of the pregnancy?"

He started appearing occasionally during the day too, cooking, giving gifts, trying every method to make me happy.

Seeing I remained unmoved, he worried and wanted to take me to the hospital.

I was also afraid something might be wrong with the baby, so I obediently let him take me.

At the hospital, I was examined from head to toe.

The results were normal. I was healthy, and the baby was developing well.

But I still didn't smile. Frederick squatted in front of me and asked.

"Why are you unhappy, Lyra?"

"Tell me, and I can fix it."

I opened my mouth, not knowing what to say.

What should I say? That I knew he wasn't Ethan? Ask him why he kept deceiving me?

Even now, I couldn't be sure whether he valued me or the child in my belly.

I just sat in the hospital garden listening to him criticize himself, but he still didn't come clean.

In the distance, I seemed to hear Miranda and Ethan's voices too.

The footsteps grew closer. Miranda also saw me.

"Isn't this Miss Lyra? What are you doing at the hospital? What's that in your hand..."

Her voice stopped abruptly. The pregnancy test report in my hand was too obvious, and Ethan suddenly shouted.

"You're pregnant? Why would you be pregnant!"