“Elian, you’re back.”
“Hm.”
I bent down, removing my shoes.
It felt so strange.
I’d never removed my shoes this politely.
Yet, it didn’t seem too weird to me.
Everything had been strange.
Ever since I learned about this pregnancy, everything has gone wrong.
It suddenly felt like I no longer had control over my life.
The things I used to know, the ones I praised myself for, now felt like lies.
A homewrecker.
Whore.
Those were the words Karl said to me.
The slap.
It had all felt wrong.
I wasn’t a homewrecker.
I had never planned to get in between him and Sébastien.
Whore?
That was even less true.
However, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t muster any anger toward him.
Because deep down, I knew I was at fault.
I shouldn’t have approached Sébastien in the first place.
He was older.
I should have known he might not be totally single.
When I got pregnant, I shouldn’t have appeared before him anymore.
I shouldn’t have agreed to go to that dinner date that night.
Thinking back to that night, it seemed I’d been really greedy.
Even though I knew I shouldn’t want it, I shouldn’t get close, I had still continuously knocked on the invisible wall between us, peeking my head through.
Many nights, I had dreamt about Sébastien.
His hand on me.
His cold grey eyes staring deeply into mine.
His length pushing against me.
The memory had always been clear in my mind, as if it were yesterday.
Not once…
not once had I forgotten the things we shared—the words he said to me.
They had been all too clear in my head.
That was why when that slap landed on my cheeks, I knew, deep within me, that I deserved it.
I understood his anger.
I understood his pain.
But that didn’t mean the words didn’t hurt.
Fortunately, it wasn’t too late.
I could still stay away.
“Son, what happened to your cheek?”
I snapped out of my thoughts.
My fingers involuntarily pressed against my cheek.
“I got slapped.”
My mother’s face darkened.
“Who did?”
“I sorted it out.”
I stepped forward.
My mother held my hand, leading me to a seat.
Her gaze remained on me.
I could tell she had a million questions to ask.
“Where’s Noah?” I asked, looking around.
Knowing him, he should have waited for me to return before he left.
For some reason, I missed him.
After everything that happened, I missed Noah, Lucien, and every one of my friends…
“He had some urgent work at his company.
So, he left.”
“Oh.” Then, I would have to wait.
He should return when he was done.
“How was the meeting?
What did he say?”
My father asked, sitting beside me.
His expression was tense.
He.
Sébastien.
He was the last face I wanted to remember right now…
the last name I wanted to think about.
“Nothing.
He’s not getting involved in this pregnancy.” My voice was firm.
Even if he wanted to, I wouldn’t let him.
I knew the only reason he wanted to stay was that he felt responsible.
However, being responsible didn’t justify the hurt Karl would go through.
Knowing his husband was seeing another omega outside.
An omega who was carrying his child…
no omega would feel good with that. Get faster updates on g.com.
Likewise, I, Elian, wouldn’t do something that questioned my morality.
“Elian…”
“It’s okay, Dad.
I said it before, I can take care of myself and the baby.
We’ll be fine.”
Silence.
My father’s face turned ashen.
My mother’s eyes reddened.
Tears glistened within her eyes.
I’d seen her cry today far more than I’ve seen her cry since I recognized her as my mother.
It was all my fault.
Yet, I knew it was no use comforting them.
I would never have anything to do with Sébastien anymore in this life.
“Is this what Sébastien said?”
“He’s not going to be responsible for the pregnancy?”
My father’s voice turned cold.
My lips pursed.
“He agreed to meet two times a week.”
My father’s eyes widened.
“Karl came in.”
The air froze.
“He found out.”
“Was he the one who slapped you?”
My mother’s voice broke the silence.
I turned to look away.
No one said another word.
Of course, anyone would understand Karl.
No one could blame him for being the one in pain.
No one…
It was just that…
it stung.
I gently pressed on my cheek.
“A minute.”
My mum left.
She returned with a lotion.
“This should clear it in a few minutes.”
“Hm.”
“Alright.”
My father mumbled with a deep sigh.
“I’ll invite more specialists.
I’m sure there will be a way out.”
He patted my back.
“We don’t have to interfere in their marriage.”
“We won’t contact Sébastien anymore.
Daddy will protect you from now on.”
My lips pursed.
I took my father’s hand, patting it gently.
“I know.”
It wasn’t like he had any other choice.
He was meant to protect me for the rest of his life.
My father’s lips twitched.
“No appreciation?”
“No.”
He snorted lightly.
“Hungry?
Mum prepared dinner.”
I glanced at her.
The heaviness in my chest lightened as I smiled at her.
“Had dinner with Sébastien.”
Even though the dinner was interrupted, Sébastien had served me a lot before Karl came in.
With his pheromone surrounding me, I was able to eat quite well.
My stomach felt full.
My mother nodded with a look of realization.
“Do you need something to drink?”
My lips parted.
I shook my head.
“It’s okay.
I’m going to my room.”
“Be careful with the stairs.”
“Good night.”
“Good night.” I waved at the couple.
Stepping into my room, I quickly brought out my phone and turned it on.
Sébastien had seen something on Karl’s phone earlier, which made him tremble.
The fear in his eyes was evident.
Something had probably happened.
Sure enough, I saw a lot of newly released news about Sébastien, filling the first few pages.
I clicked on the first one.
*Sébastien Hawthorne’s fiancé revealed!*
“Sébastien Hawthorne seen in Elian Sterling’s house.
Also sighted in a restaurant together.*
“Sébastien Hawthorne’s supposed omega.*
My fingers trembled.
My phone fell, hitting the ground with a loud bang.
I staggered backward until my back pressed against the door.
No wonder Karl found out where we were.
No wonder he looked so betrayed and broken.
So, the news had carried mine and Sébastien’s situation online and painted everything black.
It convinced Karl that things weren’t right even before Sébastien was able to explain the truth.
I slowly moved toward my bed and slumped on it.
Perhaps I needed some sleep.
Today was too heavy.
It made me feel drained and itchy all over.
After a short bath, I relaxed back in bed, stopping myself from thinking about anything else while trying to force myself to sleep.
Knock.
A frown settled on my face.
Who was that?
I was just starting to sleep.
“Come in,” I said lazily.
My father stepped in.
His fingers tightened around his phone.
His eyes were filled with shock.
He approached slowly.
Every step seemed to crush something in my chest.
I sat up in bed, staring at him while silently waiting for what he had to say.
Did something happen again?
Did Sébastien return, or could it be that the news had been cleared?
I cleared my throat.
“Why do you look so shocked?”
“Could it be that Sébastien and Karl cleared the air, then pushed me to the limelight?”
Even though I knew Sébastien wasn’t that kind of person…
the thought still crossed my mind.
My father stepped closer and handed his phone over to me.
“Check this.”
I lowered my eyes to the screen.
My eyes widened.
For a second, it seemed like my eyes had blurred.
I couldn’t see.
I wiped my eyes frantically and stared at the screen again.
Then, the word glared back at me…
*Sébastien Hawthorne’s omega is pregnant.*
I read through the report.
According to them, I’d been caught at the hospital, holding a pregnancy report.
My lips trembled slightly.
The world already knew about my pregnancy.
How could this be?
My blood ran cold.
No.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
I was supposed to disappear before anyone knew.
Give birth quietly.
Raise my child quietly.
Now the entire world knew.
Didn’t this mean that I wouldn’t be able to secretly give birth to the child?
Damn it!
Why had everything been going so wrong?
“What is going on?”
I closed my eyes and exhaled loudly.
Could things go back to the way they used to be?
It used to be really pleasant and fun.
Life was so beautiful.
Things used to work really well for me…
“I’m going to bed,” I murmured wearily, pulled the blanket, and closed my eyes.
Once again, I needed sleep.
Perhaps when I woke up, things would have changed, and life would be pleasant again.
I tightened my eyes, aiming to sleep faster.
“Are you okay?”
My father asked.
My fingers twitched lightly.
“Of course I am.”
“Close the door when leaving.”
I covered my head.
Soon, sleep came, silently accompanied by something else…