chapter 8

Since that fateful day, Colton has pleaded daily for forgiveness, yet I've refused him entry each time.

Today, I returned to my parents' house. As I approached, the sound of shattering objects greeted my ears.

"Colton, after betraying my daughter, you dare ask me to intervene with Cassidy?

"Leave my house immediately!"

In her fury, Mom hurled a rice bowl at Colton’s head.

"Auntie, I truly love Cassidy. I made a mistake, but I promise it won't happen again!

"It was a single foolish error. Please, allow me a chance to make amends.

"I beg you, talk to Cassidy on my behalf."

Falling to his knees with a heavy thud, he began to bang his head on the floor.

"Colton, have you lost your senses? I’ve made my position clear. Why do you persist in bothering us?

"If you continue to harass my parents, I swear I'll make you regret it!

"Get out!"

I pointed at the door, my expression icy and unyielding.

"Baby... I..."

He turned his tear-streaked face toward me.

Just then—

"Colton, I’m pregnant."

Amelia entered, looking utterly dazed and as pale as a specter.

It seems today’s drama aligns with previous chaos. Perhaps now I’ll finally find some tranquility.

Colton remained frozen on his knees, stunned. After a lengthy silence, he closed his eyes, reopened them, and addressed Amelia with a steely voice, "Terminate the pregnancy."

I rolled my eyes. This man is worthless, through and through.

Amelia’s eyes widened in shock as tears streamed down her face.

"I’m thirty-three. If I lose this baby, I may never have children again!

"You have said you wanted a child with me!"

Colton attempted to respond, but my aunt flew at him, launching a furious assault.

"You lousy scoundrel! You think you can abandon my daughter? Think again!

"If you don’t marry her, I’ll ensure your life is a daily nightmare.

"How will you hold your head high when everyone’s gossiping behind your back?"

It wasn’t long before Colton’s face bore the marks of my aunt’s fury, small beads of blood trickling down.

He threw me a desperate glance, wordlessly beseeching my help.

Ignoring him, I guided my parents back to our dinner. Just then, the TV switched to the finance channel with a breaking story of the stock market's collapse.

My aunt let out a shriek so sharp it could’ve come straight from a slaughterhouse.

"The stock market? What?!

"You deceitful rat! Didn’t you say it was a guarantee?

"We invested everything—me and Amelia!

"I’ll kill you, you little devil!"

Is this his karmic retribution for his vile actions, or simply a consequence of foolishness? Likely a mix of both.

With fire in her eyes, my aunt rushed to the kitchen, grabbing a knife. Amelia crumbled to the floor, wailing. Colton beat his chest in utter despair.

As my aunt raised the knife towards Colton, Amelia threw herself in the path, sobbing.

"I’ve lost my job, my savings, and now you want to take away my man too?

"Just end my misery now!"

Defeated, my aunt discarded the knife, and they embraced each other, weeping.

In time, a strained smile surfaced as my aunt turned to my mom, clasping her hand.

"Mary, you’ve watched Amelia grow; you’ve always doted on her.

"How about this—could you help with the prenatal care and delivery costs? Once the child’s born, they’ll call you grandma too..."

I always knew these two were shameless, but Mom is too tender-hearted and spoils them. All I could think was, ‘We’re doomed.’

But to my surprise, Mom simply scoffed. "You two are unbelievable. I can’t believe I ever cared about you. Your daughter stole her cousin’s fiancé, and now you want me to cover her medical bills?

"From now on, you’re no longer my sister. And, the house you’re living in, it belongs to Cassidy’s grandfather. You have until tonight to vacate it, or I’m calling the police!"

With no further comment, Mom snatched a broom and chased all three of them out.

Finally, peace reigned. The three of us resumed our meal in cozy, serene silence.