Chapter 3

Anton's POV

My throat constricted painfully. I forced myself to stay on my feet, my eyes welling up with tears. Finally, I walked out, grabbed the cup from the table, and smashed it hard against the floor. Shards scattered everywhere.

Vivian stood up quickly, her voice frantic. "Anton…"

Seeing me like this, Julian tried to stop me. "Anton, I'm sorry. Vivian's pregnancy was an accident. I never meant to fight you for her…"

I was so furious that I could barely breathe, unable to utter a single word. All I could do was raise my hand and shove him away. I signed. "Why? Why did you make a fool of me? Why did everyone lie to me?"

"Enough! What are you gesturing about?" Mom shoved me aside. She yelled, "If you can't speak, just keep your mouth shut! Don't upset Vivian."

Caught off guard, I stumbled and nearly fell.

Crying, Vivian took out her phone. "Anton, I let you down. I'll make an appointment to get rid of the baby—"

As soon as she said that, everyone rushed over to stop her. Julian immediately tried to soothe her. "Vivian, don't do anything rash. I'll take full responsibility for the baby."

Mom pointed at me and yelled, "Anton, Julian is your stepbrother. Don't push it! They've loved each other since they were kids. Julian only gave way to you out of consideration for your relationship. What right do you have to make a scene?"

Cindy also sighed. "Anton, I know you're a good man. You wouldn't want to see Vivian hurt herself to get rid of the baby, would you?"

Everyone was pressuring me to give in and telling me to just step aside. I slowly signed. "Why should I?"

My heart clenched in pain. The mix of panic and rage made my head throb.

Vivian walked over and hugged me, speaking in a gentler tone. "Anton, I swear, once the baby is born, I'll divorce Julian."

I was too devastated to speak. She held me even tighter, her tears falling onto my shoulder as she apologized over and over.

Eventually, I fell completely silent. They thought I had given in and agreed. This farce came to a seemingly perfect end.

Julian patted my shoulder and assured me, "Anton, don't worry. Vivian and I will get divorced after she has the baby. You'll still be her husband."

Mom also eased up and stopped lashing out at me. She cooked me some pasta and gave me a bigger portion for the first time.

Before, Julian had always gotten more than I did. Now, I finally had just as much as he did. But I didn't want it anymore.

On the way to our new home, Vivian kept apologizing to me. She said she had always been frail, and that getting rid of her baby would take a serious toll on her health. She said her parents had always been looking forward to having a grandchild and that she didn't want to disappoint them.

She also said that her feelings for me would never change and that she would make it up to me twice over in the future. But how could she ever make it up to me for breaking my heart?

What was done was done. Vivian followed me to the door of my room, hesitating to say something. Then, she finally said, "Anton, y-you should take some time to calm down. I'll sleep in the guest room."

With that, she grabbed a blanket and hurried into the guest room, looking flustered.

The door slammed shut with a bang. I stood there, staring at the moon outside the window. I remembered the day I proposed to Vivian. We had gone for a walk by the river.

Halfway through our walk, fireworks suddenly exploded across the night sky. I dropped to one knee and pulled a ring from my pocket. My face was flushed, but I couldn't force out a single word.

Vivian understood what I was trying to say and covered her mouth, laughing. She took the ring and flowers from me and threw herself into my arms. "Anton, I love you. I'll marry you."

My heart pounded like a drum. I was so happy that I almost cried. I had believed I was the only one for her. Yet, she was now telling me she loved me while carrying another man's child and planning to get a marriage certificate with him.

The phone beside my bed lit up. My application for the overseas assignment had been approved. I was leaving in two days. The team would be stationed in Dalton for a long-term reporting assignment. It would last at least three years.

I changed my application to make the assignment permanent. Three people in a relationship were too much. This time, I chose to walk away.