"My brother heard you were pregnant and threw a party to celebrate. You have to ruin it like this?"
Another brother smirked.
"Slap!"
I spun around and hit him hard.
The room froze. Tara stepped forward, grabbed Ethan’s neck from behind, and pulled him into her arms.
"Son, listen to your father. Stop being stubborn!"
She smiled helplessly.
"Sister-in-law, Ethan and I have been close since childhood, even sleeping naked together. He never treated me like a woman! Don’t take it so seriously!"
She realized it too late, and nudged Ethan into my arms.
"Hurry up and apologize. She’s pregnant. Keep this up, and everyone suffers."
That sentence made everyone stare at me with disdain.
Ethan froze, refusing to bow.
Tara chuckled, whispered something in his ear.
He twitched his lips, then finally looked at me, reluctant.
"It’s my fault, alright."
A sudden wave of nausea hit.
I left the room without looking back.
I didn’t expect Ethan to chase me.
My stomach ached the whole way, and all I could hear were his complaints.
"Have you lost your mind because of pregnancy? Tara is my brother, and you’re jealous!"
"You might as well tie me to your belt like a dog. You’d suspect anyone anyway!"
"Think about it. If we really had something, would she dare speak out?!"
Something inside me snapped, shattering completely.
"Yes, you’re fine. It’s all my fault!" I screamed, my body trembling.
"I’ve endured you for so long!"
Every past grievance hit me like repeated slaps in the face.
Only I knew how much sorrow this final straw had unleashed.
"Ethan, I’m telling you, when I was hospitalized for appendicitis, you accompanied her to get her nails done. When I was bleeding to protect the baby, you went to play with her dolls. Every time I needed you, you were there for your female brother, even today!"
I gasped, tears streaking my cheeks. "She trivialized those disgusting things right in front of me, and you continued flirting with her as if nothing happened. When I couldn’t bear it and called the police, you didn’t stand by me—you called me hysterical!"
"From that moment on—"
"Ethan, we’re done."
No response.
Then Ethan’s gentle voice pierced my ears:
"Don’t be afraid. I’m here. I’ll protect you."
I turned around.
He was wearing headphones, gaming with Tara over a microphone.
…
The sounds of their game battle continued into the night.