Molly glanced down at the orange I had abruptly stuffed into her hands, and her face immediately turned pale as a sheet.
Not even half a second later, she clutched her stomach and began to retch uncontrollably. Covering her mouth and nose, she fled in a panic.
My stepmother, realizing something was amiss, froze in place for a moment before rushing after her.
I smiled knowingly at my father. "Congratulations, Dad."
He looked utterly baffled, like a monk hearing riddles. Without explaining further, I picked up my packed belongings and walked out without looking back.
—
When Jared heard I’d gone to my family home, he immediately drove over to find me.
"Are you okay, sweetheart? Did that woman give you trouble?" He held my hand, genuine concern etched into his expression.
He was referring to my stepmother.
Three years ago, when she first moved into the Lewis household, she deliberately scalded me with hot coffee to assert her dominance.
When Jared found out, his eyes turned red with anger. He not only had her threatened in private but also showed up at my house the next day to deliver a stern warning in person.
From then on, my stepmother and Jared became mortal enemies. She’d often mutter under her breath that we wouldn’t last, cursing him to grow old alone, doomed to a life of solitude.
Thinking about it now, I found it all rather amusing.
If my stepmother ever discovered that her beloved daughter was tangled up with Jared—and pregnant with his child—what kind of expression would she wear?
"What’s on your mind, sweetheart? Did she bully you again?"
I shook my head, assuring him it was nothing. Only then did he relax, his tense face softening with relief.
On the way back, Jared’s phone buzzed incessantly with calls and messages.
I already knew it was Molly. She’d sent me a message earlier as well.
[I’ll give you three days to leave Jared. Otherwise, I’ll release my videos with him online and ruin his reputation!]
I laughed coldly and replied. [What you’re saying doesn’t affect me. If you want to marry him, talk to Jared yourself, dear sister.]
After sending that, I saw her typing a reply, but no message came through. She remained silent, undoubtedly panicked.
She must have realized that I had recognized her. Previously, she’d intentionally blurred her face in those videos she sent me. But what she hadn’t anticipated was that I’d catch them red-handed in public.
Jared kept stealing glances at his phone, but with me sitting next to him, he didn’t dare pick it up.
I graciously reminded him, "You should answer it. It could be something important."
Awkwardly, he chuckled before finally pressing the button on his headset.
"Hello? What is it?"
His tone was curt, tinged with annoyance.
From the other end, Molly’s pitiful and helpless voice came through, audible in my headset as well.
"Jared, my mom found out I’m pregnant. She’s forcing me to get married, or she’ll make me get rid of the baby! What should I do?"
Hearing this, Jared’s focus wavered, and he nearly rear-ended the car in front of us.
He slammed on the brakes, his arm instinctively reaching out to shield me. Clearly shaken, he quickly apologized.
"I’m so sorry, sweetheart. There’s an urgent issue at work that I need to take care of immediately."
He dropped me off halfway home, hailing a taxi and watching as I drove off before reluctantly turning back.
But I didn’t return home. Instead, I went to the cemetery to visit my grandmother.
I sat by her grave and spoke with her for a long time, pouring out everything that had been weighing on my heart.
As the sky darkened, I finally composed myself, tidied up the area, and quietly left.
