The hospital arranged a sperm donation program. My fiancé signed his name and clearly asked to donate to his female “brother.”
When I heard the news and went to confirm it, I saw both families already seated together, holding a family dinner to celebrate the pregnancy.
Among the happy talk and laughter, the female “brother” seemed to suddenly think of something and asked, “Oh, right, Adriel, have you thought about how you’re going to explain this to Azalea Ashbourne?”
“I don’t really mind, but a girl like her who gets upset over everything, once she knows, who knows how much trouble she’ll stir up.”
“If she ends up making a scene and refuses to marry you, I’m not taking responsibility!”
Before Adriel Aldridge could reply, his mother, Adelina Aldridge, quickly spoke up, “She wouldn’t dare! My Adriel is valued by the hospital director and is about to get a special promotion to the board of directors.”
“For someone with conditions like Azalea to marry my son is already a huge favor. How could it ever be her place to make demands?!”
Adriel turned the lighter between his fingers, looking rude and pleased with himself.
“My mom is right. Besides, Azalea has chased after me for ten whole years, sticking close to me everywhere and loving me like crazy.”
“Making her give up marrying me would be the same as telling her to die. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!”
Their laughter felt like a cold wind that suddenly stabbed straight into my heart. I lowered my gaze, gave a bitter, mocking smile, and then called my father.
“Dad, cancel Adriel’s promotion on hold for now. I want to marry someone else.”
——
When I pushed the curtain aside and walked in, Adriel had Amara Atkinson wrapped in his arms. The two of them were holding an ultrasound photo and talking about who the baby would resemble in the future.
The moment they noticed me, everyone’s faces changed, like they had seen something dirty.
For a moment, Adriel looked scared. He was about to let go of Amara, but instead she hooked her arm around his arm and walked toward me together with him.
“Azalea, your timing is perfect. I’ll speak for Adriel first so you don’t turn this into a big scene.”
“You know I’ve always planned to stay single, but my parents only want a grandchild in their lifetime. Adriel only helped me by donating sperm to meet their wishes.”
“If you’re upset about anything, take it out on me. Don’t put pressure on him.”
Before I had a chance to respond, Adelina also rose and stepped in to smooth things over.
“That’s right, Azalea, this was something we all agreed on. We’ve known Amara since she was a child. She’s always been a playful, mischievous tomboy; she would never do anything to damage your relationship. You can rest easy.”
“And besides, the baby already exists. We can’t just ask her to end it and carry that guilt, can we? You’re a woman too; you shouldn’t be so heartless.”
Watching this family switch faces so easily depending on who they spoke to, I only felt chilled and faintly amused.
I removed the ring from my finger and tossed it toward Adriel. “Aunt, you’re thinking too much. I came here only to call off the engagement.”
“Adriel, we’re breaking up.”
Adriel immediately put on that familiar look that said, “Here it goes again.”
That sounded reasonable enough. Ever since Amara returned to the country, I had mentioned breaking up at least ten times.
And every single time, I ended up being the one to calm myself down, then quietly go back to him again.
He probably felt sure that after staying with him for ten years, I wouldn’t be able to find anyone better anymore.
He pressed his fingers to his forehead. “Do you really need to cause trouble in front of my family?”
“Azalea, if it weren’t for me pushing for it, my parents wouldn’t have even considered your background at all, not to mention agreed to let me marry you.”
“Besides, there’s nothing between Amara and me. What exactly are you making such a big deal over?”
“Just this one thing that I don’t want to see my husband having a child with another woman! If I went and had a child with another man, too, would you accept that?”
“How dare you?!”
Adriel’s face changed right away. After a short pause, his tone softened again, sounding tired and helpless.
