Chapter 2

The next morning, urgent knocking woke me up.

My parents were startled awake too.

It was Julian at the door, as expected.

"Good morning."

"Julian, so early?" Even though Serena's Mom was a bit displeased with Julian, they were still long-time neighbors, so she greeted him warmly. "Have you had breakfast? Come in, join us!"

The more welcoming they were, the more uncomfortable Julian seemed.

He had no appetite, his mind solely on his child. He managed a forced smile. "No, thank you. I've eaten. I came to see Serena... and the baby."

He spoke, his gaze sweeping past my parents to me.

"Baby?" Serena's Mom was genuinely confused this time. "Julian, what baby are you talking about? What baby?"

Julian froze, his voice rising in urgency. "The little boy I brought yesterday! I gave him to Serena!"

I sipped my coffee, not even lifting my eyelids.

Seeing my nonchalance, Julian lunged forward, trying to grab my arm. "Serena! Where's the baby?!"

His actions were rough, and Serena's Dad's face immediately darkened. "Talk, don't touch!"

"I really did give her a baby!" Julian's voice trembled with desperation. He turned to me, almost shouting, "Serena, where is the baby?!"

I chuckled softly. "You're so anxious. Could it be... the baby is yours?"

The living room fell silent instantly.

Julian's expression stiffened. "What are you talking about? I found him by the roadside..."

"So, I put him back on the roadside."

"Really?" I stood up, calmly. "Since he was found, of course, I sent him back to where he belongs."

Julian's pupils contracted sharply. "Where did you send him?"

"The roadside," I said lightly. "Didn't you pick him up from the roadside? I put him back there. What if his parents, who abandoned him, had a change of heart and came back to look for him?"

"What did you say?!" Julian suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip incredibly tight, making my bones creak. "Serena! Don't joke with me!"

Serena's Dad immediately stepped forward, pulling at him. "Julian! Let go!"

I yanked my hand free, rubbing my reddened wrist. "I don't have time to joke with you. I still need to pack for my study abroad trip!"

"Study abroad?" Julian looked bewildered. "How can you go abroad? Who will take care of the baby if you leave?"

Serena's Mom was utterly confused. "What baby? What are you two talking about? And Serena's classes overseas start next month. We've had this planned for ages."

Julian took a deep breath, forcing a smile at Serena's Mom. "I'll explain this to you later."

He turned and grabbed my arm again, his voice pleading. "Serena, just tell me where the baby is. That's a life!"

I looked at his self-righteous, scheming face, my blood boiling. Just as I was about to raise my hand to slap him...