Ryan rested his chin on my lap, gazing at me with those soulful eyes, his voice gentle.
“Emily, we will. When the time comes, we can deliver early by C-section, and the baby can go straight into the incubator.”
“Emily, I’ve seen the suffering you’ve endured during pregnancy. If only we hadn’t decided to keep this child… but once he’s born, I’ll raise him right.”
Ryan valued this child deeply. At first, I had naively believed we would be happy forever.
But I never expected to become nothing more than a vessel for him and Lily to have a child.
Love can be performed too. Looking at Ryan’s face, I said calmly, “There’s no chance anymore.”
Ryan froze.
“Emily, what do you mean, no chance?”
I smiled lightly, pretending it was nothing.
“Nothing. Ryan, I was just thinking about our baby. You’ll meet him soon.”
Just then, there was another knock, followed by a lively, playful voice—Lily’s.
“Sis? Brother-in-law? Are you inside?”
I noticed Ryan’s expression flicker unnaturally.
Then Lily bounded toward me, her eyes locked on my stomach.
“Sis, how’s the baby? You’ve got to take care of my little nephew! I can’t wait to play with him.”
She giggled, reaching out to touch my belly.
But I remembered the words I’d overheard at the reunion and felt a wave of disgust. Instinctively, I stepped back.
Still, I forced myself to act the part of a caring sister.
“Of course. My son will be in your care, Lily. I believe you’ll make a great aunt.”
Lily’s face froze for a moment at my words, then quickly recovered.
“Sis, I’ll take care of my nephew for sure.”
She reached for my belly, her eyes shining with delight.
But I ignored her, rising to leave without hesitation.
Her hand hung awkwardly in the air, her face a mask of disbelief. She hadn’t expected me to treat her that way.
As soon as I left, her expression twisted into something sinister.
“Ryan, does Emily know something? She wouldn’t even let me touch her stomach.”
Ryan pulled Lily into his arms, nuzzling against her chest.
“Relax, Emily isn’t that smart.”
He lifted his head, his Adam’s apple bobbing, his gaze burning with lust as he looked at her.
“Besides, I’m dying anyway. Even if Emily realizes the baby isn’t hers, if she tries to terminate, she won’t survive the internet backlash.”
Listening outside, my heart turned ice-cold.
Then Lily spoke again.