I went abroad for a year to further my studies and kept in touch with my girlfriend through video calls every day.

One day, I saw her first love posted a photo with a caption:

[We are finally back together after ten years!]

In the photo, my girlfriend was visibly pregnant, holding the arm of the man next to her with a sweet smile.

I went abroad for a year to further my studies and kept in touch with my girlfriend, Casey Wilbur, through video calls every day.

One day, I saw her first love post a photo with a caption.

[We are back together after ten years!]

In the photo, my girlfriend was visibly pregnant, holding his arm and smiling sweetly.

The post was deleted when I refreshed the page, but I was certain of what I saw.

That was her.

The scarf around her neck was one I designed myself—the pattern came from the initials of our names combined with our zodiac signs.

I lost my composure and booked the earliest flight home immediately.

A year ago, my company arranged for me to study abroad as part of a plan to promote me and increase my salary upon my return. At the time, Casey opposed it because it meant delaying our wedding by a year.

Before I could persuade her, she suddenly changed her mind.

"My biggest wish has always been to study in Francena. Since I can't do it, you should go and experience it for me, but you have to video call me every day!"

I agreed happily. However, she would decline my call whenever I called her, saying it was too late or she was busy with work. After a while, I got used to it and we only communicated through texts or by sharing photos.

After seeing that photo, I could not stay calm anymore.

Casey's first love, Alex Copper, had stayed in touch with her all along!

I could not tolerate it anymore. I just wanted to see her as soon as possible.

When I returned, I saw two familiar figures from a distance—it was Casey! She held Alex's arm, supporting her back with her hand, her stomach visibly large, and her face had gotten rounder.

My mind went blank. I did not even realize I walked over to them.

When Casey saw me, her smile froze on her face.

"Leo, why did you come back so early?"

I pointed at Alex. "You should ask him. He posted that photo to show off, didn't he? Explain yourself, Casey. I'm pretty sure I didn't get you pregnant from thousands of miles away!"

My words left Casey speechless. My sudden appearance clearly flustered her.

She grabbed my sleeve and stammered, "Leo, I—I am not—I mean—"

She could not explain why she was suddenly pregnant.

"You got back together with him and got pregnant with his child, right?"

She remained silent.

I let out a mocking laugh and declared, "We are done!"

Casey objected immediately. "No! Don't break up with me, please! I am just giving him a child. Once the baby is born, we are done! You said you didn't care about my past. Why are you breaking up with me now?"

Alex nodded in agreement. "That’s right, man. The child isn't yours, but Casey is. I just want a child of my own, that is all!"

I laughed out of sheer anger. "Do you even hear what you are saying? Do you think I am an idiot, Casey? We are breaking up!"

I shook her off and turned to leave, but Casey clung to me tightly. "I love you, Leo. Please don't leave me!"

"Leave me alone!"

"No! Please, don't leave me!"

By then, a crowd had gathered around us. People started pointing fingers at me and making accusations.

"How can you abandon her when she's pregnant?!"

"Don't worry, young lady. If he dares to leave, sue him! He can't just walk away after getting you pregnant!"

I was furious and about to explain when Casey suddenly clutched her stomach, crying out in pain. Her face went pale, and it did not look like she was faking it.

"My stomach hurts!"

I froze.

The next moment, Alex rushed over and shouted at me.

"What are you waiting for? Take her to the hospital!"

The ambulance took Casey to the hospital.

Alex turned to me with a defiant look in his eyes. "Leo, there's nothing going on between Casey and I. I paid her to have a baby for me. That's it."

"Are you being serious?" I asked.

"Of course."

"Good," I said as I pulled out my phone.

"Hello, police? I suspect someone is forcing my girlfriend into illegal activity. Please send someone to the city hospital."

Alex panicked, smashing my phone on the ground. "Are you crazy? What are you doing?"

I smirked. "You just admitted that you paid Casey to have your child. She's my girlfriend, but she's pregnant with your kid, and you aren't even marrying her. You only want the baby and not the mother. If that is not illegal, then what?"

Alex's face turned red with anger, "That is nonsense! We agreed on this willingly!"

"Even better," I replied, laughing.

"You two deserve each other."

I picked up my phone and checked it. Luckily, it still worked. I started to edit the voice record of our conversation to save as evidence when Casey was wheeled out of the emergency room.

"Is Casey's family here?" the nurse called.

I stayed where I was, watching Alex glare at me before stepping forward.

"The patient is very unstable. She's already far along in her pregnancy. You mustn't let her get too emotional. She needs to be admitted for observation. Take care of the paperwork," the nurse told Alex.

As they talked, I stood to the side and smiled faintly.

Before long, the police arrived.

When she saw the police and me together, her face turned pale. She became visibly upset, but I whispered, "Stay quiet if you don't want to put your baby in danger."

She froze and stared at me helplessly.

I told the police officer the entire situation, including Alex's earlier confession. I even played the recording.

"Alex, you admit yourself that if both of you were not involved in a financial transaction, then it must be consensual, correct?"

"Yes!" Alex blurted.

"No! It isn't what you think, Leo!" Casey cried.

"Did he force you then?" I asked coldly.

"No…" Casey muttered, looking distraught.

"I see. So, you took his money to have his child, right?"

Casey became flustered.

Alex took a deep breath and said, "None of that is true. She volunteered."

The police officer's expression darkened and ordered, "Tell us the truth. What is going on?"

Casey finally caved. "We… We have genuine feelings for each other."

Hearing that, the officer gave me a sympathetic look and said, "This seems to be a personal matter. My advice is to handle it peacefully or take it to court."

I understood the situation, but I still wanted a formal report.

Alex also owed me for smashing my phone. I showed the police officer my phone, which still held crucial evidence. A compensation claim of a few thousand dollars seemed fair.

Alex was furious but had no choice but to hand me the money.

I pocketed it and turned to Casey. "We're done, Casey. Leave me alone."

"Leo, let me explain!" Casey screamed from behind as I walked away.

Alex tried to comfort her, but I was no longer interested.

I went back home and packed my stuff. After that, I posted a simple update on social media.

[I broke up with Casey. Don't bother me!]

As soon as I posted the update, my parents were stunned. Within moments, my mom called me, her voice filled with anger.

"Are you out of your mind, Leo? Weren't you supposed to get married as soon as you got back? What do you mean you broke up? Did you cheat on her?"

Before I could respond, she continued yelling, "I told you long-distance relationships don't work! Did you fall for someone else while you were away?"

I chuckled bitterly and replied, "It's her, mom. She's about to give birth to someone else's baby."

My mom's voice trembled with rage. "What?! This is my fault. I should've kept an eye on her!"

I sighed and tried to console her. "It's not on you, mom. It is what it is, so let her go."

"Fine. Take care of yourself. Your dad and I will come to see you in a couple of days."

My parents lived in our hometown that was just an hour away from the city. I did not refuse their visit as I knew they were worried about me.

As soon as I hung up, my phone buzzed with dozens of messages—some genuinely concerned, others just wanting gossip. I ignored them all.

Not long after, my boss, Felix Jones, called.

"Leo, our overseas business has officially launched. Over the past year, your work has been outstanding. As our primary liaison, we need you back to sign your appointment papers. Have you made your decision? It might mean spending half the year abroad. Are you okay with that?"

"Absolutely," I replied without hesitation.

"I've made up my mind."

Felix was ecstatic and immediately arranged for my contract to be prepared. He asked me to come to the office tomorrow, and I agreed.

After packing my things, I looked around the apartment. It was the place I had bought to prepare for my marriage. The interior was decorated to Casey's taste.

The thought of what might've happened here between Casey and Alex made me feel sick.

Anyway, I decided to sell it.

Just as I was finalizing things, the doorbell rang. When I opened it, I was shocked to see Casey's parents and her brother, Greg Wilbur.

Casey's mom stormed in and shouted, "How shameless can you be, Leo? Did you find someone else aboard, so you ditch my daughter?"

I frowned. "Did Casey tell you that? Did she also tell you she's pregnant?"

Her mom snapped, "Of course, we know! She's been waiting faithfully for you to come back and marry her, but you've disappointed her! She's in the hospital because of you!"

Before I could explain, Greg grabbed my shirt and punched me. I stumbled to the floor.

My neighbors heard the commotion and watched with folded arms. Casey's family painted me as a heartless man who had returned from abroad just to abandon his loyal girlfriend.

I roared, "I am not taking responsibility for someone else's child! Why should I raise someone else's kid?"

I grabbed Greg's wrist firmly, stared him down and said coldly, "I was abroad for a year, and Casey is eight months pregnant. I didn't come back in between. Do the math."

I pulled out the evidence on my phone and continued, "I recorded everything. Don't you dare to touch me again or I'll make sure your entire family becomes a trending topic on the internet!"