“I just don’t want to raise him,” I said, my voice flat and emotionless.

“Natalie, you’re so cold-blooded.”

For the first time, Brynn’s eyes held nothing but disappointment, his expression as cold as ice.

“Solomon is my childhood friend’s only child. Before the accident, his only concern was ensuring Solomon had a home.”

I stared at him, silent.

He was still playing his part, still weaving his lies. And he played them so convincingly.

If I didn’t already know the truth, maybe I would’ve felt a stab of guilt at his words.

“Sister-in-law, don’t be so heartless,” Sylvie piped up, her voice oozing sweetness. “He’s just a child. Don’t you have any compassion?”

From upstairs, the elderly woman descended slowly, Solomon clinging to her leg like a timid shadow.

She shot me a disapproving look, her face twisted in judgment.

“Madam, Solomon’s such a sensible child. Don’t you think you should soften your heart? You don’t have children of your own. It would bring some life into the house.”

They spoke in perfect unison, like a well-rehearsed play, each word designed to pierce my heart with guilt.

Pain twisted in my lower abdomen, and cold sweat trickled down my spine.

“Brynn, we could have our own child,” I said through clenched teeth, staring him down. “Why adopt?”

A flicker of broken hope shone in my eyes, but I still gave him one last chance.

But he only frowned, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

“I can’t bear to see you suffer through childbirth. If you want, we can try later. Solomon is so sensible; maybe he’d make a good older brother…”

A loud buzz rang through my mind, my chest feeling as though it was being torn apart.

We had been childless for seven years because of our own issues.

For seven years, people might’ve said we weren’t in a rush.

But once we adopted a child, what would others think?

Men never understood the sting of having people stare at your stomach, their eyes full of pity.

He hadn’t even considered that.

I let out a bitter laugh, cold as shards of ice.

“In that case, why not let Sylvie adopt him? Didn’t she always say she wouldn’t marry? Perfect chance for her to have a companion. Or let your mom raise him, another little brother would liven things up around here.”

“Enough!”

Brynn’s face twisted in anger. For the first time in seven years, he snapped at me.

“Natalie, stop being so unreasonable.”

“Sylvie’s a woman; how could she adopt a child?”

“My mom is too old; how could she possibly take in a child again?”

He shielded Sylvie behind him, his anger a mask for the guilt in his eyes.

My last shred of hope for Brynn shattered with those words, like falling from a cliff and crashing to pieces.

Looking at him, standing protectively over Sylvie, my heart went numb.

His heart had already turned, hadn’t it?

I murmured, barely any emotion in my voice: “Fine, go ahead and adopt.”

After all, it had nothing to do with me.

We weren’t even legally married.

The child wouldn’t be registered under my name anyway.

Brynn seemed stunned for a moment before quickly exhaling in relief and immediately apologizing. “Honey, I’m sorry. I was too harsh just now. That was my fault.”

Afraid I’d change my mind, he hastily left with the old woman to continue their act.

Solomon stood at the top of the stairs, staring at me like a lifeless doll. His eyes mirrored Brynn’s exactly.

A wave of unease washed over me. My steps faltered, and I gripped the handrail tightly as I descended.

“Natalie, feeling proud of yourself?” Sylvie sneered suddenly.

I hadn’t even processed her words when a sharp, tumbling noise echoed through the house, and Solomon actually fell down the stairs.

He tumbled and landed on the soft mat below, a heart-wrenching cry exploding from him instantly.

“Solomon!”

Sylvie knelt on the floor, her trembling hands clutching the child tightly, tears streaming down her face as she desperately wiped at the scrape on his forehead.

“Don’t scare me, Solomon, open your eyes and look at me…”

At that moment, Brynn rushed in, his eyes landing on Sylvie, crying as she held Solomon.

“What happened?!”

“Brother, I saw it with my own eyes! Sister-in-law pushed Solomon down the stairs!!”

Sylvie finally gathered the courage to speak, her voice breaking like a pear blossom drenched in rain.

“She doesn’t like Solomon, fine, but why would she hurt him?”

Brynn suddenly scooped Solomon up, his face painted with concern.

In his arms, Solomon weakly tugged at his sleeve and whispered pitifully, “Daddy, I’m fine. Auntie didn’t mean to. I fell by accident.”

Hearing that, Brynn’s eyes shot daggers at me, a strange chill creeping into his gaze.

“Natalie, when did you become so vicious?! You’d better pray nothing happens to the child.”

He stood before me, his voice low and dangerous:

“I’ve spoiled you too much. If anything happens to Solomon, don’t ever show your face in front of me again.”

That sentence hit me like a hammer.

I stayed silent; not a word escaped my lips in my defense.

Brynn hadn’t seen what really happened, yet he so easily believed the words of that woman and her child.

A chill slowly crept through my limbs, creeping from the soles of my feet all the way to the top of my head.

The man I had believed loved me for seven years now saw me as a villain, convinced that I had intentionally harmed someone.

As the car carried me home, my mind was a whirlwind.

Finally, I reached for my phone and dialed my father’s number.

The call connected quickly, and I could hear the lively chatter of a dinner party in the background.

“Hello? Baby? What made you think of calling Daddy?”

“Did something upset you recently? Or do you miss me? Want to come home and stay with me for a few days?”

But now, it was clear I was wrong. I should’ve listened to him from the beginning. My throat was dry.

“Dad, that marriage alliance you mentioned before, does it still stand?”

There was a clear pause on the other end, followed by a hearty laugh.

“Of course it does! Why the sudden interest? I just so happen to be having dinner with the old man from that family. His son’s been single for seven years, and the old man’s about to lose his mind!”

Just as my father’s voice faded, I heard a familiar male voice from the phone, laughing lightly.

“Uncle, you can’t just expose me like that.”

But I didn’t recognize who it was, or perhaps I just didn’t care anymore.

I closed my eyes, my voice hoarse yet firm as I spoke, “Go ahead and make the arrangements as soon as possible. I’ll sign without hesitation. I’ll cooperate.”

There was a brief pause on the other end, and then my father’s voice grew more cautious as he moved to a quieter spot.

“Baby, something’s happened between you and Brynn? You’re not joking, are you? Haven’t you two been married for seven years? Are you getting a divorce?”

I didn’t even know how to respond to his questions.

How could I explain that we were never even married in the first place, so where would a divorce come from?

“I was never married to him.”

I cut him off before he could say more and sent him everything the private investigator had found.

“Dad, go ahead with the marriage arrangement. This time, I’ll do whatever you say.”

With that, I hung up. The screen dimmed, reflecting the pale, hollow look on my face.

The next day, Solomon moved into our home.

Brynn personally prepared a room for him, handling every detail with care.

I remained silent, packing my things bit by bit, sending them back to my original home while also scheduling an abortion appointment for three days later.

I hadn’t even figured out what excuse to use for suggesting separate bedrooms, but Brynn had already, without hesitation, settled into Solomon’s room.

Watching him act like such a devoted father, my heart turned cold from the sting of it.

In my mind, this was the man Brynn would become once I had a child. But now, the love he was giving wasn’t for my child; it was for someone else’s.

That night, Solomon suddenly cried. His sharp wails echoed in my ears, one after another.

I had already been sleeping lightly because of the pregnancy. Hearing Solomon’s cries for his mom, I couldn’t help but wonder if Sylvie would be moving in soon.

Sure enough, within days, Sylvie appeared.

She stood at the living room entrance, two suitcases in hand, her voice soft.

“Sister, brother, I’ve been looking for a job in the city. Can I stay here for a while?”

Brynn frowned, a hint of irritation crossing his face, but he still replied, “You’re so hopeless. Can’t even figure out how to rent a place. Ask your sister; if she agrees, I won’t object.”

I replied with an empty look, my voice flat: “Do as you wish. Stay as long as you like.”

After all, once my surgery was over, I’d be gone.

Brynn noticed something was wrong with me and, with concern, wrapped his arm around me. He asked softly, “Honey, what’s wrong? Why do you look so pale? If you don’t want her here, I’ll ask her to leave.”

I replied in a low voice, “After all, she’s the real lady of the house.”

“What?” Brynn didn’t catch that.

I shook my head.

He was about to speak again, but then Sylvie tripped while tidying up.

His face shifted instantly. He let go of me and rushed over to help her, lifting her carefully and placing her on the sofa before scolding her sharply, “How are you still so clumsy? You’re going to be a mother soon!”

Sylvie pouted, tapping her head playfully, “I’m just silly; I can’t do anything without you. Not like a sister; she’s so mature.”

Her eyes flickered in my direction, laced with challenge.

I smiled faintly, turning away and retreating to my room; just the sight of it made me want to gag.

It was clear now that Sylvie was steadily embedding herself into Brynn’s life, using the child as a clever excuse, step by step.

She was pushing me out, and I was letting her.

I wouldn’t fight for a man like some discarded concubine.

The next day, just as my morning sickness had subsided, I sank onto the sofa to rest while Sylvie was in the kitchen.

Suddenly, Solomon came running over, his small hands clutching a transparent box, his eyes sparkling with excitement:

“Auntie, Auntie! Come see my new friend!”

When I opened my eyes and saw the box, my heart seemed to stop.

Inside wriggled a small snake, no longer than a thumb.

I recoiled instinctively, my voice trembling with panic. “Take it away! Take it away!”

Solomon gazed at me with pleading eyes, his voice soft, “It won’t bite; it’s my favorite pet.”

I shook my head, trembling uncontrollably. “Take it away!”

Brynn strolled over, glanced at the box, then looked at me, his tone flat, “Seriously? It’s just a toy snake. It’s captive-bred, non-venomous.”

“I’m afraid of snakes…” I choked, my words heavy.

“You know I was bitten by one as a child. I had a high fever and almost died. I’ve had a trauma ever since.”

He frowned, his patience thinning. “It’s just a little snake. I’ll put it away, okay? Are you this scared? Isn’t that a bit much?”

I froze.

The man who had once shielded me from everything and always asked me if I was afraid now spoke to me with such impatience.

It suddenly struck me as absurd.

“So now I have to learn to accept what I fear most, too, is that it?”