My dad's eyebrows furrowed.
"What's your attitude? Isn't it your duty to help the family? Your brother is already 30 and still doesn't own a house in the city, and you, on the other hand, are living it up in the city, yet you don't even help him at all!"
"Today, we're putting this on hold. You must give your brother a down payment. Five hundred thousand!"
My clenched fists clenched.
My brother has been lying around, living a lazy life, and now he wants money for a down payment on a house!
"No money!"
I said coldly.
"You!"
My dad's raised hand suddenly froze.
Just then, Grace opened the door and peered over. When my mother noticed Grace, she suddenly gasped in shock and took two steps back.
"Grace, are you pregnant?"
Grace nodded.
My mother suddenly froze and stared at me, her pupils widening, but she mumbled, unable to utter a single word.
I frowned, "Mom, how did you know Grace was pregnant?"
My mother's face was horrified, her thin, withered face pale.
Even my father's legs went limp, nearly collapsing on the ground.
The old couple, supporting each other, retreated several steps.
I pressed on, "Mom, how did you even know Grace was pregnant?"
My parents exchanged bewilderment, and my mother immediately forced a smile.
"Ethan, Mom... I've given birth before me, too. How could I not have noticed Grace was pregnant?"
"Good son, we don't have to pay for your brother's down payment on the house. You can keep these local specialties for Grace and enjoy them slowly. We're leaving now."
My parents were about to leave in panic, but I quickly stepped in front of them. The old couple screamed and fell to the ground.
"Son, please let us go. Dad was a little harsh just now. You... don't take it to heart."
My dad almost knelt down in front of me.
I stared down at them, a little anxious.
"Then tell me quickly, why have you all been so scared of me since Grace got pregnant!"
My mom didn't dare look me in the eye, her voice trembling.
"You... you'll find out when you take her for a prenatal checkup."
Then my mom suddenly turned to Grace.
"We support your divorce. Run!"
Then, Grace, no longer afraid of the dark, bolted for the exit.
I stared at them, a chill running through my heart.
In my past life, my parents poisoned me to death with rat poison. In this life, for some reason, the old couple is so afraid of me.
But I don't have time to argue with them right now. I'll find out tomorrow when I take Grace for a prenatal checkup. I quickly packed my bags and sent a message to Grace.
"Grace, divorce is fine, as long as you come with me for a prenatal checkup tomorrow."
"I need to see the prenatal report before I sign it."
Grace agreed without hesitation.
The next day, she arrived at the hospital, nervous and waiting for me.
The prenatal checkup went smoothly, and the doctor told me the baby was healthy.
I looked at the doctor, who looked calm, and was about to ask further questions.
But when I turned around, I noticed the doctor's slightly trembling hands, and I gave up.
While waiting for the prenatal report,
I saw Grace with her head lowered, lost in thought. A hint of fatigue had settled on her fair face.
I leaned over with heartache, about to offer her words of comfort.
She suddenly screamed, collapsed to the ground, and begged for mercy.
"Don't come near me! I beg you, I really beg you to let me go..."
Frightened by her expression, I instinctively tried to help her up.
But Grace resisted fiercely. My hand froze in midair as I let out a long, helpless sigh.
“Grace, why are you so determined to divorce me? How will you manage with the child once you leave?”
My voice trembled despite myself. “Can you at least tell me why? Before you got pregnant, you loved me so deeply… what changed?”
Grace met my gaze, her eyes full of sorrow. Her voice shook as she whispered, “Ethan, I’ve always loved you.”
She paused, tears welling in her eyes. “But I’m even more afraid of you.”
Her words pierced through me like a blade. I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, the surrounding patients and their families began whispering among themselves. Some pointed at me with disgust, others glared as if I were a monster.
A young man, flushed with anger, shoved me hard. “What are you trying to do? This is a hospital!”
Startled, I raised my hands quickly. “You’ve misunderstood—she’s my wife!”
“Oh, so you’re a domestic abuser!” someone shouted. “No wonder your wife looks terrified! You must beat her all the time!”
“I don’t—” I tried to explain, but they didn’t let me finish. A burly man stepped forward and punched me twice in the face. Then he shoved me violently.
Before I could steady myself, the back of my head struck the sharp corner of a wall. Pain exploded through my skull, my vision blurred, and everything went black.
When I woke up, I was lying on a cold hospital bed. My head throbbed, wrapped in thick gauze.
A nurse approached nervously. “Sir, please rest. Your wife brought you here. She even paid your medical bills.”
Her eyes darted to a folder in her hand. She hesitated, then handed it to me. “This is your wife’s prenatal report.”
Something in her expression made my heart sink. I snatched the papers and read them carefully.
The next moment, my entire body got cold. My hands shook uncontrollably.
