: My Child

2

It's true that Julian Valerius chose me himself.

There were countless families who wanted to form a marriage alliance with him, and mine had the least to offer. In our circle, they called my family's company a small business… worth only thirty to forty million dollars.

But Julian still chose me. Because I was obedient, didn't have a temper, and wouldn't dare to control him.

Even after getting married, he was still as free as ever.

For him, this marriage was merely a way to answer to his family. For me, it was my family's company's last lifeline.

I needed Julian. To be precise, my parents and our family's company needed Julian.

My family got everything they wanted, and it seemed Julian was also very satisfied with me.

"I'm going to bed first." I forced a smile and got into bed.

A moment later, I heard the soft rustle of Julian's footsteps as he left the room.

I closed my eyes and curled up, feeling a little cold.

Gradually, my eyelids grew heavier, and I drifted off, falling into a daze-like sleep.

I suddenly felt someone wrap their arms around me. A large, slightly cool hand rested on my lower abdomen, then suggestively began to wander upward.

It was Julian.

I was instantly wide awake. I reflexively pressed his hand down. "I'm not feeling well today."

"Where are you not feeling well?" His voice was low and raspy, his warm lips landing on my neck.

I couldn't help but flinch. The image of him standing with Yvonne Irving, with her large pregnant belly, replayed in my mind. A wave of repulsion washed over me.

"I'm really not feeling well. Not tonight," I said, trying to reason with him.

Julian's hand remained on my abdomen. He held me quietly for a moment, then tightened his arm. "Let's just sleep."

After we got married, whenever he stayed the night, he would always hold me as we slept.

At first, I held onto a sliver of hope, telling myself this was a sign that he loved me. But no matter how foolish I was, the moment I saw him with Yvonne Irving at the hospital today, I couldn't lie to myself anymore.

'I just don't understand. If he loves Yvonne so much, why did he marry me?'

'If he loves Yvonne so much, why does he hold me at night?'

I fell asleep. When I opened my eyes again, the room was still pitch black, and Julian was no longer beside me.

I grabbed my phone to check the time. It was already past nine.

I went to the bathroom, took a hot shower, quickly dried off, put on some warmer clothes, and went downstairs.

Matron Chen wasn't around, only the maid, Nancy, was cleaning.

She stopped what she was doing and looked at me. "You're awake. Would you like to eat something now?"

I nodded.

In the open-plan kitchen, Nancy busied herself for a moment before calling out to me, "The food is ready."

I ate my fill at the kitchen island. I was about to head back to my room to rest when, just as I stood up, a sudden DING echoed. The elevator doors opened, and Julian's tall figure emerged.

I looked over. His expression was dark as he stared at me without blinking and walked in my direction.

The oppressive feeling from his towering frame made my breath catch. I lifted my head to meet his gaze, wanting to ask him what was wrong, but no sound came out.

"Where are you not feeling well?" Julian suddenly asked.

In an instant, I understood. He had gone to the hospital. He knew everything.

"Rhea Summers, you have some nerve." Julian's voice was impossibly deep, as if it were rumbling up from the depths of the earth.

I lowered my head, not knowing what to say. 'I don't even understand why he's so angry.'

'Could it be that he wanted me to have this baby?'

'I would never allow my child to be born into a family without warmth or love.'

Julian grabbed my chin and forced my head up. I was forced to look into his eyes. Those charming, flirtatious eyes showed none of their usual roguishness, only a savage viciousness.

His thin lips parted, and he enunciated every word. "Rhea Summers. You aborted my child."

3

"Is there anything you want to say?" Julian Valerius asked, his voice cold.

I opened my mouth, but my throat was so dry I could barely force out a single word. "Nothing."

"Very good." Julian released his grip. He stared at me for a moment, his gaze chilling, then turned and left.

I heard Nancy gasp. When I glanced over, she immediately averted her eyes.

I went upstairs to our room. Standing in the doorway, I stared at the vast bedroom for a moment before heading into the walk-in closet to start packing.

In truth, I didn't have many things of my own. Everything I used here had been bought by Julian.

He never even had to buy them himself. Deliveries arrived daily—clothes, shoes, jewelry. The mere title of Mrs. Valerius was enough to have major brands scrambling to send their wares.

I packed the few belongings I had brought with me into my suitcase. They were pitifully few, leaving the suitcase half empty.

I sat on the sofa, staring blankly at the suitcase.

'I knew I was in serious trouble.' Maybe I should call my dad and tell him I wouldn't be able to help the family company through its crisis after all.

Mom and Dad would be devastated.

I don't know how long I sat there before Matron Valerius's gentle voice called from outside the room.

"Rhea!"

I hurried out to meet her.

The moment Matron Valerius saw me, she rushed over, took my hands, and asked with concern, "What happened? Did you have an abortion?"

'I hadn't expected Julian to act so fast.'

"I'm sorry, Mom."

Matron Valerius's brow furrowed. "How could this happen? Rhea, why would you do this? How could you not say a word about something so important? Did you go to the hospital by yourself? Don't you know that any procedure has its risks? If something had happened to you, how would I ever explain it to your parents?"

"I'm sorry, Mom."

Other than that, I didn't know what to say.

Matron Valerius sighed and led me back into the room. "You need to lie down right now. This is your Post-Abortion Confinement, and you must rest properly, or you'll have health problems down the line. Don't leave the house for at least two weeks. I'll have the family chef come over."

Matron Valerius's attitude toward me hadn't changed in the slightest. She was even insisting I stay here to recover.

I was a little surprised. After a moment's hesitation, I asked, "Mom, what did Julian say?"

"I tried calling him, but he won't pick up. I haven't seen him yet." Matron Valerius sighed again. "Is something wrong between you two? You've only been married a month..."

"Mom... so Julian wasn't the one who told you?"

Matron Valerius paused. "Nancy told me."

'So that's what happened.'

Now I was even more confused about Julian's attitude.

"Rhea, you have to tell me, is there a problem between you and Julian? Did he..." Matron Valerius trailed off and sighed again. "He's always been a player. I thought he would settle down after getting married. That bastard! Don't you worry, Rhea. I'll teach him a lesson for you. You just focus on getting better and don't let your mind run wild."

I nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Mom."

Matron Valerius stayed with me until dark. She called Julian, urging him to come home, and only left after hanging up.

Before she left, she told me not to get upset or argue with Julian, and to call her if I needed anything.

'Matron Valerius must be heartbroken, too.'

But I couldn't bring a child into the world just because she was kind to me, or out of a sense of gratitude.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Before I could answer, Nancy walked in carrying a tray.

"This is chicken soup. You should have some. I'll just leave it here."

I didn't say anything.

Nancy set the soup on the nightstand, shot me a look, then pursed her lips and walked out.

I'd known since my first day here that Nancy didn't like me. She even seemed to look down on me.

I didn't really care. At the end of the day, she was just a stranger.

The only thing I'd ever cared about was Julian's attitude toward me. But now, I knew I had to let that obsession go.

Some things just aren't meant to be yours, no matter how hard you fight for them.

It was time to let go. To set Julian free, and to set myself free, too.

4

After finishing the chicken soup, I took the bowl downstairs. Matron Chen saw me and immediately rushed over. "Mrs. Valerius, why are you down here? You should be resting and letting your body recover."

Matron Chen took the bowl from my hands. "Dinner will be ready soon, Mrs. Valerius. You should go upstairs and put on something warmer."

Nancy, who was cleaning, glanced at me before continuing with her work.

I looked away and gave Matron Chen a faint smile. "I'm not cold."

Matron Chen glanced down at my feet. "Mrs. Valerius, you should put on some socks so you don't catch a chill."

"Okay." I paused for a moment. "Is Julian coming back for dinner?"

"I just called to ask. Young Master Valerius said you should eat first and not wait for him." Matron Chen finished with a sigh. "Mrs. Valerius, this is quite normal. Young Master Valerius is just angry right now, but he's still very concerned about you."

'I don't really understand why Julian Valerius is so angry. Isn't there already someone to have his child?'

'Does he really like children that much?'

I went back upstairs, put on some socks, and came back down. Matron Chen had already set dinner out on the kitchen island.

I was eating alone in silence when I heard the elevator. Julian Valerius must be home.

"Young Master Valerius!" Matron Chen's voice was warm. "You're back! Perfect timing, Mrs. Valerius just started eating."

"I'm not eating," Julian Valerius said coolly before heading straight upstairs.

I heard Matron Chen sigh again.

'She sympathized with me, pitied me. I suppose I must look truly pathetic.'

After dinner, I went up to our room. Julian Valerius wasn't there. I didn't look for him; I just washed up and got into bed.

Julian Valerius didn't come into the room all night. The next morning, when I went downstairs, he was on the sofa looking at his phone.

He didn't even lift his head when Matron Chen spoke to me.

He didn't say a word during breakfast, either. As soon as he was done, he left.

Not long after he left, Matron Valerius and Elder Sister Valerius came over.

Elder Sister Valerius was four months pregnant. With her husband away on a business trip, she had been staying at her family's home recently.

'But how could she come here?'

"Mom, did you tell my sister?"

My sister-in-law pursed her lips and shot me a reproachful look. "I'm not that superstitious. You, on the other hand... making such a huge decision on your own. You're really something else now."

Though her words were accusatory, her tone was filled with concern for me.

I lowered my head. "Sis, you shouldn't have come."

'This counts as a miscarriage. I may not be superstitious, but those customs still exist. Just because I don't mind doesn't mean other people won't.'

My sister-in-law glanced around the room. "Where's Julian? Not home?"

"He just went out."

"That little punk!" My sister-in-law took out her phone.

I quickly raised a hand to stop her. "Sis, he's busy. Besides, having Matron Chen here is more than enough."

Matron Valerius sat down on my other side. "Rhea, have you told your parents about this?"

I hesitated for a moment before shaking my head.

Matron Valerius said, "I think you should probably tell your parents."

My sister-in-law nodded in agreement.

I agreed. "I'll call my parents later."

We chatted a while longer, and then I urged my sister-in-law to leave, telling her to come back after my Post-Abortion Confinement was over.

After Matron Valerius and my sister-in-law left, I went back to my room and called my mom.

Her reaction was just what I'd expected. She immediately started complaining that I was too headstrong, asking what I would have done if something had gone wrong, and then she quickly hung up.

Less than an hour later, she and my dad arrived.

"Why would you do this?" my mom asked, both angry and heartbroken, her eyes welling with tears.

My dad sat to the side in silence.

My mom sat down on the edge of the bed and took my hand. "Rhea, tell me the truth. Have you been treated unfairly here?"

"No," I said, forcing a smile.

"I knew it," my mother's tears started to fall. She choked back sobs as she wiped them away. "It's all because of our family... making you suffer like this."

My dad just sighed heavily from the sidelines.