Chapter 2

Wendy hurried toward me and exclaimed in surprise, "Yoli, it really is you.

"What brings you to the hospital? Are you here because you're not feeling well from the pregnancy too?"

The moment she finished speaking, Richard hurried after her, his voice anxious yet affectionate.

"Wen, I only went to get you a jacket. How did you manage to disappear on me? The air conditioning is always so cold in the hospital. You need to wear something warmer indoors, or you'll catch a chill."

Only after he finished speaking did he seem to notice me standing in front of him.

He froze for a moment before asking guiltily, "Why did you come to the hospital alone? Where's the maid?"

I didn't answer. I simply stared at him in silence.

My gaze seemed to make him uncomfortable, so he reluctantly began to explain.

"I promised Wen a few days ago that I'd come with her to her prenatal checkup.

"I was worried you'd overthink it. You've gotten upset about things like this several times before. Besides, we're getting married tomorrow. I just figured it was better not to make things more complicated, so I kept it from you."

I responded quietly, showing little reaction.

Richard seemed to think the matter was settled, so he casually picked up his jacket and helped Wendy put it on.

He even carefully fastened the buttons for her, one by one.

Wendy tilted her head, studying my pale face with a look of pity and smug satisfaction.

Feigning annoyance, she said, "Richard, what are you doing?

"Yoli's right here. You should put the jacket on her first. Why are you putting it on me?"

He didn't even look up.

"It's fine. She's healthy.

"You're carrying my—"

He suddenly stopped halfway through the sentence.

His expression changed, as if he had suddenly come to his senses. He shot me a quick glance and immediately corrected himself.

"I... I mean, my little brother. I need to take good care of him."

I had no interest in watching any longer.

It had already started raining outside, and judging by the look of it, the rain was only going to get heavier.

I made up an excuse, intending to leave.

"I still have some tests to do, so I'll go first."

But Richard suddenly grabbed my arm.

I turned around. He pointed to the umbrella in my bag and said matter-of-factly, "If you don't need it right away, let me borrow this umbrella.

“The rain looks pretty heavy. I'm worried Wendy might get drenched on the way to the car. Summer rain usually stops quickly. It'll probably have stopped by the time you're done with your tests, so you won't need it anyway."

I looked at him, the corners of my eyes slightly red.

In a hoarse voice, I demanded, "She's pregnant, so she needs to be taken care of. What about me?

"Richard, I'm carrying your baby too."

Seeing me like this, he assumed I was about to start crying again.

He waved his hand impatiently, his voice full of dismissiveness and irritation.

"Forget it. I don't need it.

"I ask to borrow one thing from you, and you have to make such a fuss about it. Wendy's always been in poor health. Even if you get a little wet in the rain, you'll recover quickly. You came here for your prenatal checkup alone, didn't you? And you look perfectly fine. Stop making a fuss over nothing, will you?"

With that, he put an arm around Wendy and walked away with her.

As they walked off, I could still hear him muttering under his breath.

"Being pregnant has turned her into a complete lunatic.

"I really can't stand her anymore."

He spoke loudly, as if he wanted to make sure I heard him.

As if he wanted to hurt me on purpose.

My tears suddenly stopped. I forced them back until my eyes felt dry and raw.

The hurt and hatred surging through me were so overwhelming that even breathing hurt.

My legs went weak, and I could barely stand. I staggered over to a bench and sat there for a long while.

Then I called the private investigator from earlier.

"Do you still have backups of those intimate photos you took of the two of them? Print fifty thousand copies. I'll buy every single one.

"Find someone to plaster them all over the new home.

"Tomorrow, when he comes to pick me up, stuff those explicit photos into the confetti cannons. I want them raining down on everyone."