Chapter 3

I recalled how Mitchell had previously suggested hooking up at a hotel back then, but he completely dropped the matter once I firmly turned him down.

I couldn't help but place my hand on my lower abdomen, knowing full well that the baby didn't materialize magically. I couldn't help but wonder if it was really like what the doctor had suggested—that the man who assaulted me actually had a really small thing.

I thought about it for a moment and decided to head to the public swimming pool again. After bribing the security guard, I managed to acquire the surveillance footage from last month. I could only track who went in and out since the locker area had no surveillance cameras.

I reviewed all the footage and failed to spot a single suspicious individual. I grew disheartened, wondering if I had been wrong all along—that the pregnancy wasn't linked to that particular day.

Gianna handed me a glass of hot chocolate and asked curiously, "I got rid of Mitchell, Rebecca. You can finally tell me now, right? Who's the father of that baby, Rebecca?"

I bit my lip, shaking my head. "I honestly have no idea who the father is. I only remember going to the swimming pool with you last month, and I mysteriously ended up pregnant after that."

Gianna hesitated for a moment before smacking her forehead in realization. "What if someone secretly released in the swimming pool? I once saw a news article claiming that a man intentionally released into the swimming pool, and a bunch of women got pregnant afterward!"

I nearly cracked up at her suggestion. I knew it was impossible since sperm had an extremely short lifespan, and coming into contact with the chlorinated pool water would rapidly render them inert.

I was reminded of the man who harassed me that day after hearing her suggestion, prompting me to look at the surveillance footage around the swimming pool area again.

I spotted a figure I never thought I would see—Mitchell. He had a face mask on and was sneaking around near the entrance before stepping out of view and slipping into the restroom.

I instinctively clenched my hands into fists. I was right—Mitchell wasn't as innocent as he looked.

I was just about to confront Mitchell when a loud pounding erupted from the door.

Gianna went to answer the insistent knocking, only to be violently pushed to the floor once the door was opened. Dad stormed in, with Mom following closely behind.

I had just gotten to my feet when Dad slapped me hard across the face.

I instinctively covered my cheek as I heard Dad's enraged condemnation. "Rebecca Turner! How could I have raised such a shameless slut like you! How could you have gotten yourself pregnant before even getting married?"

I peered over Dad's shoulder and saw Mitchell staring at me with a triumphant expression on his face.

Mitchell feigned a sigh and said pitifully, "I truly hated doing this, but I was terrified you'd go through with the abortion, Rebecca.

"I asked the doctor, and she confirmed that your uterine lining is too thin. If you were to go through with the abortion, your chances of getting pregnant in the future are slim to none."

Mitchell had used this exact same flimsy excuse in my past life. He even agreed to a rushed marriage just to make sure I carried the baby to term.

I remained incredibly thankful back then, even though there was no wedding ceremony, gifts, or any traditional formality. I really believed I was in Mitchell's debt and continued to work hard, even during my third trimester, in a futile attempt to compensate for my perceived mistake.

I realized now how utterly stupid I had been. I didn't even do anything to deserve any of this. I didn't even know how I got pregnant in the first place.

Dad gritted his teeth, his face flushed with rage. "You'd better drop out of college and get married right now. Otherwise, you'll be a laughingstock once your belly starts showing!"

Mitchell intervened, saying, "You don't have to go that far, Jason. You see, Rebecca can just take a leave of absence from college and marry me first. I can have my mother look after the baby afterward so that it won't be too exhausting for Rebecca."

I calmly took a seat as Gianna handed me a pack of ice for my cheek and asked flatly, "Who told you I'd get married? I'm not marrying anyone."

Dad widened his eyes in rage, his finger shaking as he pointed at me. "What are you going to do, then? You're not actually still planning on having an abortion, are you?"

Mom, on the other hand, was crying right beside me. "What awful fate has befallen our family? How could you get yourself knocked up before marriage? Who else is going to marry you if you don't marry Mitchell now?"

I couldn't contain my anger anymore as I let out a mocking laugh. "I'll marry the baby's biological father! Who gave you the idea that Mitchell's the father of this baby anyway?"

Mom immediately stopped crying, and Dad's furious glowering came to an abrupt halt.

I continued, "It's impossible for Mitchell to get me pregnant since he suffers from impotence."

Mitchell's expression immediately soured. He glared at me and yelled, "Have you lost your mind? How dare you accuse me of being impotent when you've never been intimate with me?"

Mom couldn't help but ask, "Is it true, then, that the child isn't yours?

Mitchell gaped for a second, suddenly realizing that I had played him. He immediately turned to my parents, saying, "I'm willing to marry Rebecca even if the child isn't mine, Jason and Paige. I swear I won't hold her past or the child against her."

I rolled my eyes at him, saying, "I've already broken up with you, Mitchell. If I'm going to marry anyone, it'll be the actual father of this baby!"

Mitchell snapped through gritted teeth, "Who exactly is the father of this baby, then? Go on, tell us! I dare you to say his name!"

I hesitated, stunned by the challenge, when Gianna suddenly jumped in to smooth things over. She gently patted my shoulder, saying, "I think everyone should just calm down and talk this through calmly."

I stared at her hand, and I immediately stiffened in shock. I then widened my eyes in disbelief, as I suddenly realized who the father of my child was.