Chapter 2

I stayed in a hotel for five days, staring blankly at my phone screen every day, but Lucas didn't call even once.

Every day, I practiced in my mind how to tell him about the pregnancy, but I kept asking myself:

Does he really want this child?

In the evening, my phone suddenly vibrated.

I almost pounced to answer it, my heart beating so fast it almost jumped out of my throat.

But Lucas's voice was as cold as ever: "Come back to the family estate for dinner tomorrow night."

I gripped the phone tightly, my throat constricting: "Okay."

After hanging up, I stood in front of a pile of clothes, lost in thought.

I chose a loose-fitting beige dress that just covered my slightly protruding belly.

The lights at the Bennett estate were warm and bright, with Mrs. Bennett already waiting at the door.

She affectionately took my arm: "Aria, why have you gotten thinner?"

I shook my head with a smile. Although Lucas had no feelings for me, his aunt and uncle were very kind to me.

The dining table was full of my favorite dishes, but I couldn't taste anything.

Suddenly, Mr. Bennett put down his chopsticks, his gaze moving back and forth between Lucas and me.

"When are you planning to give me a grandchild?"

My hand trembled, and the fork made a crisp sound against the porcelain plate.

Lucas said without changing his expression, "Dad, we're too busy with work right now, we haven't considered it yet."

Mr. Bennett frowned and said, "No matter how busy work is, you need to consider family..."

Lucas interrupted him, saying coldly, "Dad, it's a crucial time for the company right now. A child wouldn't be appropriate."

I lowered my head, pushing the rice around in my bowl, tears almost falling into the soup.

This meal tasted like chewing wax. I could hardly remember what I had eaten.

As we walked out of the estate, the night breeze carried the scent of gardenia.

I mustered up the courage to speak: "About the child Uncle just mentioned..."

Lucas interrupted me, his voice cold as ice: "I don't want one."

My heart turned to ashes. It wasn't because of the company or anything else. It was because he didn't want it.

He didn't want a child with me.

I stood still, watching him open the car door.

The taillights drew two glaring red lines in the night, just like the blood marks my nails had left on my palm.

I touched my belly, where a life that would never be anticipated by him was growing.