2

The next morning, James accompanied me to shop for baby supplies.

His performance throughout was flawless. He carefully asked about the pros and cons of various products and paid for everything the salesperson recommended. The saleswoman looked at me enviously and said, "Your husband is so good to you. It's rare to see men this attentive and responsible these days."

He naturally took my hand, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand, his eyes brimming with tenderness: "This is the child we've been hoping for so long. Of course I want to give them the best."

This display of devotion—if I hadn't heard the truth with my own ears, who would believe it was all an act?

As we walked out of the mall, we ran into Emily coming toward us.

She was wearing a well-tailored maternity dress. When she saw us, especially James holding my hand tightly, a flash of jealous hatred crossed her eyes before being deliberately replaced with smugness.

But she was alone. It seemed my "dear sister's" marriage to my former fiancé wasn't as blissful as it had appeared.

Emily approached gracefully, a forced smile on her face. Her gaze swept over the shopping bags in our hands, her tone carrying subtle provocation: "Sarah, James really spoils you. He bought you so many nice things."

Her eyes kept drifting toward James. I could sense there were secrets between them.

I looked down, my voice weak: "James, my stomach feels a bit uncomfortable. I might be tired from all the walking. I'm going to the restroom to rest for a moment. You stay here with Emily."

He frowned, instinctively wanting to follow: "I'll come with you..."

"No need," I interrupted, my voice carrying gentle insistence. "It's right inside, very close. Wait here for me, don't worry." I gently pushed away his hand, signaling him to stay.

He hesitated for a moment, studying my face, then finally nodded reluctantly: "Alright, but be careful. Call me immediately if you feel worse."

I turned around, walking somewhat unsteadily toward the nearby restroom. Once inside and out of sight, the weary expression instantly vanished from my face, replaced by cold focus. I quickly moved to a hidden corner and carefully observed through the door crack.

Sure enough, James hesitated for only a few seconds before walking quickly toward Emily, who was waiting with a pitiful expression. He pulled her away from the main mall traffic, ducking into a relatively secluded emergency exit nearby.

I silently approached, hiding behind the fire door. Their conversation came through clearly.

Emily's voice was tearful and accusatory: "James Crawford! Are you actually developing real feelings for her?"

"Emily, stop it!" James's voice was low, filled with impatience and frustration. "How could I have feelings for her? You know I'm only being good to her because of the H Corporation acquisition! I just need her final investment proposal, and at this critical moment, nothing can go wrong! Just bear with it a little longer!"

"Bear with it, bear with it! That's all you ever say!" Emily's voice suddenly rose, full of venom. "What about our child? Can you really stand to let him have nothing in the future, watching that woman's child inherit everything?"

James seemed stunned: "...The child's situation, we'll discuss later."

"Later? There is no later!" Emily's voice became aggressive. "I want your guarantee right now! I want you to sign this agreement!" The sound of papers rustling came through.

"What is this?" James's voice carried wariness.

"A stock proxy and inheritance declaration!" Emily's tone was decisive. "I want you to promise that once you get Sarah's proposal, successfully acquire H Corporation, and establish your position, the primary heir to your core assets and company control must be our child! Not the one Sarah's carrying! Sign it now!"

"Emily! Are you crazy? Here?" James's voice was full of shock and anger.

"I'm not crazy! I'm perfectly lucid!" Emily's voice carried desperate determination. "You won't sign? Fine, I'll go find Sarah right now and tell her I'm carrying your child! Let's see what she does when she knows the truth. All your plans will crumble."

"You...!" James was clearly cornered by her threat. The passage fell into silence, with only Emily's suppressed sobbing and James's heavy breathing.

A few seconds later, I heard the scratching of pen on paper.

I held my breath and quickly pulled out my phone, turning on the recording function.

Then came Emily's voice, tearful but smugly satisfied: "James, I knew you cared about me and the baby..."

James sighed wearily: "...Fine, it's signed. Are you satisfied now? Put the document away quickly, don't let anyone see it! Remember, before the acquisition is complete, you absolutely cannot provoke Sarah again, and absolutely no one can know about our child! Otherwise everything falls apart!"

"I know, I know, James..." Emily's voice softened.

Hearing the sounds of rustling clothes and whispers from inside, I silently backed away and quickly left the area.

My heart was pounding—not from nervousness, but from excitement and cold fury.

I hadn't expected that Emily was actually carrying James's child.

James. Emily.

You not only conspired to deceive me, use me, and betray me. Now you even want to steal my child's inheritance and sacrifice it to your illegitimate child?

Perfect. This document signed in your own hand—I'll take it.

I turned and walked toward the mall exit without hesitation, pulling out my phone to call the hospital, my voice eerily calm:

"Hello, it's me. Confirm that tomorrow's procedure is still scheduled as planned. I'll be there on time."

Just as I hung up, hurried footsteps came from behind.