I remained silent for a long time, but my brother on the other end of the line seemed to sense my emotions. 

After a moment of hesitation, he spoke softly, “If you don’t want the child, I’ll arrange for you to have an abortion at the hospital.”

“I’ll come back to pick you up the day after tomorrow. Don’t worry, I will always be by your side no matter what.”

After the call ended, my gaze fell on the pregnancy diary on the small desk.

I didn't even open it; I just glanced at the cover, but my knees gave way. I even had to steady myself against the crib to stay upright, preventing myself from collapsing to the floor.

Just then, perhaps noticing the light in the nursery was on, Preston’s voice echoed in my ears. “Alissa? Why aren’t you asleep yet? What are you doing in the nursery so late at night?”

I bit my lower lip tightly, struggling to control the tremble in my voice. “The babies are moving around a lot in my belly, making me can’t sleep, so I came to see if there’s anything else we need to prepare.”

Preston walked over to me, gently wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and led me back to the bedroom.

“These little troublemakers. They’re not even out yet and already causing trouble for their mommy. Once they come out, I should discipline them immediately."

Preston’s gaze fell on my pregnant belly, his handsome eyes filled with tenderness, and his tone was brimming with affection.

If I hadn't heard what he said earlier in the study, I would have been completely convinced that he loved me, and therefore loved our children as well.

But now, I only felt utterly ridiculous.

He loved the children, not because of me, but because of Krystal.

Preston didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. He helped me to the bedside, and the tenderness in his eyes was just like every day of the past eight years.

I lowered my eyes, avoiding the tenderness in his gaze.

"I'm tired. Let's go to sleep, Preston."

The next morning, Preston accompanied me to the Ellison Group’s private hospital for a check-up.

As soon as we stepped out of the elevator, we saw Krystal just coming out of a doctor's office.

Upon seeing Krystal, Preston furrowed his brows slightly. "Why are you here alone? Are you feeling unwell?"

Preston's concern was evident in his tone.

Krystal smiled slightly, seeming to appreciate Preston's concern. 

"I've been feeling palpitations lately. You know my heart hasn't been good since I was a child. Since I had some free time today, I thought I'd come to the hospital for a check-up."

“What about you, Preston? Did you bring Alissa for her prenatal checkup? Or is Alissa feeling unwell?”

I did not know if it was just my imagination, but I always felt like there was a hint of provocation in Krystal's gaze toward me.

I curved my lips slightly and spoke before Preston could, "Nothing serious. I've had a bit of trouble sleeping recently, and Preston was worried, so he insisted on coming with me to the hospital."

"I wonder who the baby takes after. It's been hanging around in my stomach all day. Maybe there's something wrong with the genes."

As soon as I finished speaking, the expressions of the two people beside me changed simultaneously. 

Preston gently wrapped his arm around my shoulders as he changed the subject, “What nonsense are you talking about? This is our child. What could possibly be wrong with the genes?”

“Alright, the doctor has been waiting for a long time. Let’s go in first.”

While I was having the examination, Preston patted my head to comfort me before stepping out to wait for me.

In the past, I wouldn't have thought there was anything wrong with his actions. After all, he couldn't do much in the examination room.

But now, watching Preston leave, I couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

After finishing the examination, I stepped outside and saw that there was indeed no one outside the clinic.

I walked around the corridor and finally found Krystal and Preston in the stairwell.

Krystal’s beautiful brows were slightly furrowed, her face brimming with dissatisfaction.

“You were so gentle with her just now. You wouldn’t have fallen for her, would you?”

Preston embraced her patiently, gently smoothing her forehead with his hand.

"How's that even possible? She's pregnant with our child. I have to be nice to her, so she doesn't get suspicious."

"She’s nothing compared to you. Don't let it upset you, okay?"

I couldn’t bear to listen anymore. My legs felt weak as I returned to the bench outside the clinic and waited, the words Preston had just spoken echoing endlessly in my mind.

“She’s nothing compared to you.”

In his eyes, the woman he had shared a bed with for three years was no more attractive than his love interest, Krystal.

It seemed as if Krystal's unhappiness was the real issue for him.

“Is the checkup done? I just went to the restroom. I’ll go ask the doctor if the results are ready.”

Preston’s voice snapped me back to reality. I nodded and watched him walk into the doctor’s office.

A moment later, Preston emerged with a frown, crouching down in front of me so that our eyes were on the same level.

"Alissa, the doctor said your emotions have been fluctuating a lot recently, and the baby's heartbeat is a bit irregular. You might need to stay in the hospital for observation."

I obediently nodded, not daring to refuse.

My brother was coming back tomorrow, and I didn't want any trouble with Preston, so I decided to keep it low-key before he got here.

Just as I stood up, Krystal walked over to us and announced, “Actually, my heart hasn’t been feeling well lately either, and the doctor also advised me to stay for observation.”

"Although we're not in the same department, this is the hospital affiliated with the Ellison Group. So, Preston, could you arrange for my room to be next to Alissa's? That way, we can keep each other company."

I didn’t want to watch their interaction anymore, so I followed the nurse toward the assigned ward.

But Krystal seemed oblivious to my resistance and followed us into the ward.

As soon as we entered, Krystal began to inspect the furnishings of the private ward.

“My goodness, Preston, you’re so good to your wife! Such a luxurious ward—it’s so comfortable!”

"But then again, she is the mistress of the Ellison Group. Everything here belongs to her. Not just the ward—even if she wanted the stars in the sky, you'd probably find a way to get them for her."

Preston gazed deeply at Krystal; his eyes filled with tenderness that even he might not have noticed.

Krystal pouted, casting a quick glance at Preston before turning to me with a teasing smile.

“Hmph, I think I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to stay single anymore. Watching how well you treat Alissa makes me want to get married too!”

“If only I’d said yes to your proposal back then… hahaha, Alissa, I’m just joking. You know how I am. Don’t be mad, okay?”

I looked up at Krystal and saw the look of satisfaction on her face.

To be honest, I didn't really know much about Krystal. I just knew that she and Preston had grown up together as a couple.

It wasn’t until high school that Krystal moved abroad with her family, and they lost touch.

I met Preston in college, and we’ve been together for five whole years since our freshman year.

Even after Krystal returned to the country, I only really knew a few things about her: she was Preston's childhood friend and didn't believe in getting married—nothing more.

Over the years, whether it was because Preston had protected her too well or because I was too clueless, I never thought twice about their relationship.

When I didn't reply, Krystal looked a bit upset.

“Alissa, are you upset? I’m sorry. I was just joking without thinking. I’ve known Preston for so many years, and our relationship is like that of siblings. I didn’t realize you’d be upset.”

"Please don’t be upset or argue with Preston because of me, okay? I’ll head out now so I don’t cause you any more discomfort."

I looked at Krystal coldly, and when I spoke, I even felt the chill in my voice. “That’s not a problem, Krystal.” 

“You claim your relationship with my husband is like that of siblings, right? Then keep it that way. Know your place and don’t ever cross the line.”

Krystal froze, and Preston quickly shielded her behind him.

“Alissa, you’re both about the same age. Krystal’s just trying to be friendly. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?”

“Forget it. You’re pregnant, so it’s normal to be a little emotional. Since you got up early today, why don’t you rest in the ward now? I need to head back to the office to handle some matters."

Watching their backs as they walked away, my heart felt like it had been shattered into pieces, and the cold wind blew in fiercely.

Krystal kept insisting their relationship was no different from that of siblings. But the moment I asked her to respect those boundaries, Preston got mad at me.

And then, he left me, six months pregnant, alone in the hospital.

In front of Krystal, he didn’t even bother to pretend anymore.

I had no idea how much time passed before it got dark, but Preston never returned.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. [Don’t you want to come visit me in the next room? I've got a gift for you.]

Even though I didn’t recognize the number, I knew the message was from Krystal.

I didn’t want to respond, but for some reason, I couldn’t help myself. I pulled back the blankets and got out of bed.

As soon as I opened the ward door, I saw the door to the next ward was ajar, and at the same time, I caught a whiff of something nasty.

I quietly walked up to the door and peered through the crack. Preston’s voice came at just the right moment.

“Her belly’s getting bigger by the day, and lately, I haven’t had much time for you. You’re so clever finding the perfect excuse to move into the room next door.”

“Oh, Krystal… I’m falling for you more and more.”

Krystal's snow-white arms wrapped around Preston's shoulders, her voice so seductive it made one's bones melt.

“If I hadn’t shown up, you might’ve actually fallen for that Alissa, huh?” 

"Don't be so impatient. She’s still in the room next door. Don't let her hear you."

Preston only smirked, clearly unbothered by her caution.

“Relax. This is the Ellison family’s hospital. The soundproofing’s top-notch and I’ve already locked the door.”

As Preston spoke, Krystal, who was beneath him, suddenly shifted her gaze and met my eyes in midair.

Seeing her provocative smile, I lowered my eyes and helped them close the door.

I had never seen Preston look so out of control before. In the three years since we got married, even in bed, Preston had always been gentle.

It turned out he wasn't naturally self-restrained; it was just that the person who could ignite his passion had never been me.

The next morning, Krystal walked into my hospital room. She looked at me with a smug expression.

“Did you enjoy last night’s show? That was a special performance I prepared just for you. You were so rude to me yesterday, so this was your punishment.”

I didn’t respond to her, just staring blankly at my phone.

My brother said he’d be back that day, so I was waiting for him.

When Krystal saw how calm I remained, she got annoyed and yelled, “Look at you—so composed. You must think that the baby in your belly is your ticket to winning Preston back, don’t you?” 

“I bet you don't even know that the child in your womb was conceived using my egg."

“Oh… No reaction? So you already knew? Fine then. Let me tell you something you don’t know.”

“You've been doing IVF for over a year now and had loads of egg retrieval injections. But have you ever wondered where all those eggs went?”