"Harley, don't be upset."

"I'm not upset," I replied with my eyes downcast.

After five years, my heart had already been broken beyond repair.

"Get someone to replace the door."

After visiting the hospital, I went straight home. The living room looked noticeably different, now cluttered with various new items.

My in-laws were seated on the couch while Jerome knelt at the doorway.

As soon as I entered, Jerome's mother, Lillian Gabler, hurried over to take my bag. "Harley, we've already given him a good scolding. You can do whatever you want with him now. We'll back you up."

As she spoke, she slapped Jerome's shoulder twice for good measure.

I glanced at Jerome. His head was hung low, and he looked nothing like the arrogant man who strutted around the office.

"Harley, I was wrong. Please forgive me," he said.

To be fair, when Jerome wasn't acting out, he was undeniably handsome. It was that face—a perfect blend of charm and deceit—that had blinded me back then.

I'd married him against better judgment as I was fooled by the façade of a gentleman.

Ignoring him, I walked past and headed for the kitchen to pour myself some water.

Lillian shot Jerome a look, urging him into action. "Let Jerry serve you."

Jerome hurriedly poured me a glass of water and then served me with eager hands.

However, I didn't take it right away. His grip on the glass tightened as the silence stretched, and his knuckles began turning white.

My in-laws watched me nervously, their expressions strained. I let my gaze linger on each of them, taking in their unease. Finally, I accepted the glass of water and downed it.

The tense atmosphere in the room instantly eased. Lillian beamed and pulled me to the couch.

"I knew you were the right one, Harley. You're kind, understanding, and forgiving!"

I stayed silent and listened as Lillian poured out every complimentary phrase she could think of, all variations of how generous and virtuous I supposedly was.

When she finally seemed satisfied, Jerome's father, Mike Maslow, cleared his throat, preparing to take a different approach.

"Harley, Jerry was wrong, there's no question about that. But I need to say something to you as well."

He paused dramatically, taking a sip of tea for effect before his tone turned stern. "No matter how wrong he was, you shouldn't have aired family matters in the group chat. It's just not right!"

Mike's face flushed red as if he were personally devastated by my actions. Meanwhile, Lillian, ever the performer, jumped back in seamlessly.

"Harley, just apologize and we'll put this behind us."

I nearly laughed out loud.

Jerome cheated, yet somehow, after all their maneuvering, I owed them an apology.

At that moment, a fleeting memory hit me.

Over the years, no matter what happened, I was always the one who ended up apologizing. They always managed to twist the situation and squeeze something out of Dad for Jerome's benefit.

I looked down and forced back the tears in my eyes.

"Wasn't it just last month that Uncle Sam came to borrow money? And last year, Aunt Megan asked for help with her kid's school expenses. Even the year before that...

"Every time, you told me they were family, so we should help. I thought since we're family, they should be informed of something this big."

Lillian was speechless for a moment before she hastily changed the subject. "Oh, that—that was just small talk, dear. You took it too seriously. Anyway, let's not dwell on that now.

"Harley, I've talked this over with Mike. For your sake, that girl has to go. But the baby must stay for you to raise."

I stared at her, stunned.

Every time I thought this family had hit rock bottom, they found a way to sink even lower.

Noticing my darkening expression, Lillian quickly added, "Don't worry, Harley. We're not suggesting she move in with us. Absolutely not."

Lillian explained, "We just thought since you're unable to get pregnant, why not keep the baby instead of adopting in the future?

"As for that woman, we'll give her some money, and she'll leave quietly. Then, you can raise the baby as your own and be his mother."

Mike chimed in with a stern face, "Either way, our family cannot end without an heir!"

My head buzzed, my stomach churned, and I felt on the verge of throwing up.

How had I ended up tied to a family like this?

I looked at Jerome—the man I'd chosen in my youth and defied Dad to be with.

Five years had passed. His looks were as polished as ever, but time had added an air of worldliness or perhaps just cunning.

"Jerome," I asked, "what about you? What do you think?"

Five years ago, when we first got our premarital check-up results, I had asked him a similar question. "If we might not have kids in the future, will you change your mind about marrying me?"

Jerome had answered without hesitation, "I love you. Kids would only get in our way."

I had laughed. "What if your parents want grandkids?"

He had pulled me into his arms and said, "Then I'll just act like their grandkid."

The confidence in his tone back then was strong, and now, he was acting like a kid, quite literally.

Jerome looked at me with guilt in his eyes. "Harley… Mom and Dad are getting older. They only wish for a grandchild Let's… let's go along with it, okay?"

Even now, he was avoiding the truth and hiding behind his parents' wishes, refusing to admit his selfishness and cowardice.

Disgusted by his hypocrisy, I felt the nausea in my chest swell.

My voice rose. "I'm asking what you think!"

"I…"

Jerome hesitated, but I forced him to meet my gaze. When he saw the disappointment and contempt in my eyes, he seemed to falter as though I'd struck a nerve.

His face flushed red, and under my unwavering stare, he stammered before finally breaking. "Harley, don't be like this. Let's go back to how we used to be—"

I cut him off coldly. "You mean when you had a string of mistresses but no illegitimate child?"

My words lit Jerome's fuse. He shot to his feet, waving his arms as though trying to mask his guilt.

"Fine! I admit cheating was my fault. But don't you have any blame for this? What woman can't have children? And now you're dragging me into your mess? Harley, can't you stop being so selfish?"

Even though I'd prepared myself, his words still hit me hard.

So this was how he truly felt.

For five years, he had never yelled at me or lost his composure. Now, for the first time, he had dropped the mask.

"So, this is what you've been thinking all along."

My face must have looked terrible because Lillian rushed in to mediate.

"Jerome! How can you say that to Harley? Harley, this is such a big deal. He wasn't thinking straight when he said that. Don't take it to heart..."

Upon realizing his outburst had crossed the line, Jerome returned to a panic state. He crouched down in front of me and grabbed my hands with trembling fingers.

"Harley, I didn't mean that! If you think about it, the baby is related to you too. Didn't you always say you liked children? Harley, I love you. I really can't live without you."

I felt nothing. My heart was dead.

I uttered emotionlessly, "If that girl agrees, I won't object. After all, your family needs an heir."

The next day, Jerome was to talk to Audrey at the company. Meanwhile, I made an appointment at the hospital for a full check-up.

Early in the morning, Jerome drove me to the hospital first. As always, he opened the car door for me and shielded my head with his hand.

As I was about to step into the hospital, Jerome grabbed my hand.

His voice brimmed with the same tenderness he'd had five years ago. "Harley, why put yourself through this? We did all the tests back then. I don't want you to feel sad all over again."

"Let go!"

The sensation of his hand on mine made my skin crawl. Reflexively, I pulled away and took out a disinfectant wipe.

Jerome didn't seem offended. Instead, he even reached out to take the used wipe from me. "Do you really not want me to stay with you?"

I dodged his hand and tossed the wipe into the trash. "Finish your own business first."

"I'll wait for you at the office then," he said, walking me to the waiting area outside the examination room.

After I sat down, Jerome handed me a bag filled with everyday essentials and turned to leave. Before walking away, he lifted his hand to pat my head.

When I dodged him, he smiled to himself, a self-deprecating twist of his lips.

Five years ago, I thought he was deeply affectionate. Now, I saw it as nothing more than well-practiced theatrics.

I watched his retreating figure and was suddenly reminded of our wedding day when he had walked toward me. The tenderness back then felt like a dream, fleeting and unreal.

I didn't feel sad, only a tinge of regret.

After completing the check-up, I returned to the office.

The moment I walked through the door, Audrey rushed toward me and clutched my arm. She was shaking, and she looked ready to kneel.

"Harley, I was wrong. I don't want money. Please don't take my baby. I'm begging you! I shouldn't have come between your marriage. I'll leave. I'll disappear—"

"Calm down," I said as I helped her stay upright. Over her shoulder, I spotted Jerome stepping out of his office, his face dark as thunder.

Jerome walked up to us, forcing a polite smile that barely held together his composure. Gripping Audrey's arm tightly with one hand, he bellowed, "Don't get greedy!"

Although the employees didn't dare openly watch the spectacle, I could feel their furtive glances darting our way. I frowned and pried Jerome's hand off Audrey.

"Not here. Don't make a scene out here. Let's take this to the office."

Audrey tried to resist, but I patted her arm soothingly. "Be careful—you're pregnant."

Once inside the office, I closed the door and guided Audrey to the couch, forcing her to sit. Before I could say anything, Jerome spoke first.

"Harley, don't worry. I'll take care of everything."

What did that even mean?

I turned to face Jerome and questioned, "And what exactly does 'take care of everything' mean? Are you going to threaten her or bribe her to force her to give up the baby?"

"I—" Jerome faltered. He glanced at Audrey and said sullenly, "I've already offered her a generous sum, but she's being greedy!"

Seemingly petrified by Jerome's outburst, Audrey clutched at my sleeve. "Harley, I don't want the money. I really don't want it!"

I smirked at Jerome, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "See that? She doesn't want money. And you're still thinking of taking her baby?"

"Shut up!" Jerome raised his hand at Audrey.

I caught his wrist mid-air and slapped him across the face.

"You shut up! She's pregnant, and you'd still lay a hand on her? You disgust me, Jerome!"

"Harley, I—"

Jerome held his cheek, stammering as if to explain, but I cut him off.

"Get out. I want to speak with Audrey alone."

Jerome refused to move. His gaze lingered on Audrey's abdomen, and his face was twisted with uncertainty. Realization dawned on me like a bitter slap.

He was afraid I'd harm the baby she was carrying.

The thought was so absurd I laughed.

"Jerome, when you needed money to start a business and begged me to ask my dad for it, you said you trusted me. When the company hit a bottleneck and you asked me to plead with my dad for help, you also said you trusted me.

"We've been married for five years. What kind of person do you think I am?"