My Mafia Boyfriend’s Test

On the day I got pregnant again, August decided to give up on gambling and work to provide for the family.

I was so touched that I cried. With trembling hands, I handed him the money I had saved up after working odd jobs for a year.

Two of the bank notes fell on the floor, and I picked them up before running after him.

When I reached the end of the alley, I saw the mafia members who always came to our doorstep to demand repayment of our debt. They treated August respectfully. Apparently, his poverty was just a facade.

“Mr. August, do we still need to surround your house and demand payment tomorrow?”

August sat in a Lincoln limousine and said nonchalantly, “No need.”

He stared at the ring on his finger and sighed.

“It’s been years. It’s enough to prove that her love for me is real. She once worked so hard to pay off my debt that she suffered a miscarriage.

“I already betrayed her once. It’s time to tell her about my true identity so that she doesn’t have to work so hard anymore.”

But Ivy, his childhood friend, pouted. “You can’t! It’s not time yet to reveal the truth! What if she’s like your previous girlfriends and only cares about your money and your identity as a mafia boss?

“You should wait a little longer and see whether she wants to have this baby.”

August gave a wistful nod. “Alright. I’ll do as you say. In any case, she has been with me for so long. I don’t think she can leave me now.”

I clenched the money in my hands and turned around. Tears streamed down my cheeks.

I no longer wanted to live this lie dressed as love.

That night, August returned home earlier than usual.

He sat across from me and asked casually as he ate, “How was work today?”

“It was alright.” I lowered my head, but my voice was a little choked up.

He said nothing and did not even notice that I was feeling down today.

I looked at him in silence for a few seconds before I decided to test the waters. “Honey, the heater broke down. Do you still have a bit of the money I gave you? Let’s get someone to fix it.”

A painfully forced look of distress appeared on his face. He dug around in his pocket and said, “I’m sorry, dear. I used that money to pay off my debt. I don’t have anything left.”

Liar!

I shut my eyes, like they were too heavy to keep open. All I could picture was him slipping a generous tip to some waiter in a restaurant.

I pursed my lips, held back my emotions, and said, “That’s okay. I’ll think of something.”

He caressed my face and said gently, “By the way, Ivy has been feeling sick lately. The doctor asked her to eat more nutritious food.”

Then, he took out a descaled, deboned fish, and the air was instantly filled with a fishy stench. “She’s been craving some fish soup lately. Could you make some for her?”

Hope shone in his loving eyes.

I suddenly remembered August telling me once that he hated the smell of seafood.

He hated the smell of blood and fish.

I clenched my fists, and my nails dug into my palms.

He once said that he never ate meat or fish because the smell of blood made him want to puke.

But he was holding up a fish for Ivy and had completely forgotten that I could not tolerate fishy smells because of my pregnancy.

A strong fishy smell assaulted my nose, and my stomach churned.

“What’s wrong, Casey?”

I gagged, stood up, and ran to the bathroom.

As I knelt in front of the toilet, tears streamed down my face.

I loved August so much that I could give up everything for him.

But it was at this moment that I finally understood how insignificant I was in this relationship.

From behind me, August said in concern, “Are you alright, dear? Does your stomach hurt?”

My back was turned to him as my tears fell.

He stared at me and seemed very worried. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said coldly with a lowered head.

As a show of consideration, he handed me some medicine for my stomach before leaving the bathroom.

“Casey, make some soup for Ivy after you take the medicine. If you feel really sick, you can make it tomorrow.”

My back was still turned toward him, and I did not answer.

He did not care. He just put on his shoes and left.

“I have a job interview later. If I’m back late, don’t stay up. Go to bed.”

His footsteps faded away.

I took out my phone and made an appointment for an abortion. Then, I booked a train ticket to a city far away so that I could begin a new life there.

I no longer wanted to be in a relationship full of lies and deceit.

I hoped that we would never meet again.