My fiancée was pregnant with her male colleague's child. And she was about to give birth.

She returned from a business trip with a huge belly while I was still decorating our wedding room.

I asked her, my voice hoarse. She blinked at me, all innocence. "He just donated sperm. My conscience is clear."

Then she left with him to go shop for Children's Day gifts for their baby.

I immediately updated the family group chat and canceled the wedding.

However, no one seemed to understand. Everyone thought I was overreacting.

Her mother said sincerely, [Sienna is beautiful and well-educated. Her genes deserve to be passed on. It’s practically a contribution to the birth rate.]

Her father also scoffed, [It’s not even cheating. Why are you making a fuss?]

My own father was so furious he nearly had a heart attack. [Stubborn fool! How dare you call off such a good match?]

My mother cried hysterically, [If you cancel this wedding, no one will ever want to marry you!]

With red eyes, I replied, [Then I’ll never get married.]

To my surprise, a message immediately came in. [Henry, when can I take her place?]

——

That evening, my fiancée, Sienna Bailey, walked in with Daniel Hayes.

They had bought a whole box of toys for the unborn child.

Sienna gently stroked her belly. They exchanged a look, faces glowing with the happiness of expectant parents.

When Daniel saw me, he stepped forward with a small gift box. "Henry, I picked this out for you. I know this means a lot to you… just think of it as my apology."

Without even glancing at it, I tossed the box straight into the trash.

His smile collapsed. Tears fell like beads off a snapped string. "Henry, I… I’m sorry."

Then he hid behind Sienna, choking on sobs.

Sienna immediately stepped in front of him, shielding him with her body as she looked at me helplessly. "Henry, don’t be like this."

"Daniel was just responding to the company’s initiative to donate high-quality genes. His mother has lung cancer, so she wanted to meet her grandson before she passes... I simply wanted a child as outstanding as him."

"We’re just normal coworkers. There’s really nothing between us."

"Normal coworkers, you said?" My voice shook.

"Right, a normal coworker who says good morning and good night every single day? Who shares playlists? Who blocks your drink at work dinners and takes the long way home just to walk you back after overtime?"

She rubbed her temples, looking tired. "There you go again. Haven’t I explained all this before? You’re always overthinking things, constantly suspicious."

I let out a cold laugh. Her excuses sounded so hollow, such as 'normal communication between colleagues' or 'a senior looking out for a junior.'

There were so many obvious red flags, yet I kept choosing to believe her over and over again.

Five years together and now I was not willing to just let it end like this.

Clenching my jaw, I pointed at her belly and deliberately tested her. "Fine. Let’s say I misunderstood everything. Let’s say it’s all in my head."

"Abort the baby and I’ll pretend none of this ever happened. We’ll go ahead with the wedding."

"That can’t be!" Sienna suddenly raised her voice, anger barely held back. "This child belongs to Daniel. I have no right to make that decision."

Daniel’s face went completely white. Without warning, he dropped to his knees in front of me with a thud.

He wrapped his arms protectively around Sienna’s belly, his voice breaking. "Henry, there’s really nothing between Sienna and me. But the baby... the baby’s already eight months along. He just kicked my hand... I can’t. I just can’t..."

He sobbed uncontrollably, his whole body trembling.

Sienna’s expression tightened. For a few seconds, she seemed torn, but in the end, her heart softened.

She helped him to his feet, then turned to me with a faint, helpless smile.

"Henry, asking me to abort this child now... isn’t that the same as cutting out his heart?"

I stared at her, a cold smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "What’s wrong? Feeling heartbroken now?"

Sienna visibly flinched, then looked at me with pain in her eyes. "I never thought you’d be this cruel. If this is your condition for marrying me, then clearly, we’re not the same kind of people. Let’s break up."

"Henry, please don’t take it out on Sienna. She is innocent." Daniel suddenly burst into tears.

"If anyone deserves the blame, it’s me. I just couldn’t bear to let go of the child... But fine, I’ll die right now to prove we’re innocent."

Before I could even react, he bolted toward the balcony, pretending he was about to jump.

My heart jumped into my throat. On instinct, I ran after him.

Sienna panicked even faster. She rushed ahead of me, eyes wide with fear.

But before either of us reached him, Daniel collapsed to the floor, sobbing and gasping for breath.

Sienna dropped to her knees and pulled him into her arms, her whole body trembling.

After a long moment, she finally lifted her head and looked at me with icy eyes, "Henry Cameron! Your baseless accusations almost pushed Daniel to the edge!"

She stared at me like I was a stranger.

"His mother is dying. Are you really going to drive him to his death, too? You might be able to just stand there and watch, but I can’t." Her voice trembled.

Then, she carefully helped Daniel to his feet. As they passed me, she glared and snapped, "Move."

I stood frozen, my mouth slightly open. "I didn’t think..."

Suddenly, Sienna’s expression twisted in pain before passing out. "Daniel... the baby, I think… it’s coming."

"Sienna!"

Daniel went completely pale. Without hesitation, he shoved past me, carrying her out the door.

I fell to the ground, biting my lip hard, but the coldness seeping through me could not be stopped.

I stayed awake the entire night. By dawn, my phone had finally lit up. It was a message from my fiancée, Sienna Bailey.

[I was too anxious last night. I said things I didn’t mean.]

[Henry, I’m so sorry.]

My chest tightened, my nose stung and tears welled up instantly.

For all those years, she was always the first to apologize after every fight. And I always forgave her.

But this time… This time was different.

I knew I would never get past this.

Before I could respond, another message came through. She sent me a photo.

It was her holding her newborn.

The baby lay cradled gently in her arms. She looked down at the child with a soft, serene expression, like spring water rippling in the sunlight.

[I went into labor early. It was a natural birth, but thankfully, the baby’s healthy.]

[The baby looks a lot like Daniel.]

[I’ll need to stay at the hospital for three days.]

[Let’s postpone the wedding for a week. I really can’t manage everything right now.]

Each of those words sounded so calm, so normal, but it stabbed me straight in the heart.

I stood up in a daze. Slowly, I walked over to the wall and tore down the wedding decorations one by one. Then I grabbed the scissors and shredded her wedding dress into pieces.

My hands were trembling as I started packing.

Just as I zipped the suitcase shut, the door burst open. Her mother walked in with a glowing smile.

"Sienna asked me to bring her some clothes for the hospital. As her mother, I can’t wait to see my granddaughter."

When I did not say a word, she took my arm affectionately. "Look, Henry, I know Sienna was wrong. She should’ve told you. My daughter hurt your pride, I understand. But still, it’s not something unforgivable, is it?"

"You two have been together so long. How could you break up over this one mistake? Let’s not take those things you said in the family group too seriously, okay?"

"Come on. Come with me to the hospital to see the baby. Give Sienna a little grace and let this whole thing blow over."

She pulled me along like I was a lifeless doll. And by the time I snapped back to reality, I was already standing outside the ward door.

Daniel was curled up on the hospital bed, fast asleep, his pale cheeks streaked with dried tears. It was clear Sienna’s delivery had scared him badly.

Sienna sat nearby, gently cradling the baby in her arms as she softly hummed a lullaby.

Sienna's father actually cracked a rare smile. "Since Sienna’s a flight attendant, how about we name her Skye Bailey? Carry on the aviation legacy!"

"What nonsense!" his wife snapped. "You can’t give a girl a name like that."

She was already reaching out eagerly to hold the baby.

Sienna turned away slightly to avoid her. "Mom, you don’t know how to hold her. You might hurt her by accident."

Her eyes lit up when she caught a glimpse of me from the corner of her eye. "Henry, come take a look. Aren’t her little hands and feet adorable?"

She leaned down, about to kiss the baby, but stopped abruptly. A flash of guilt crossed her face like a child caught doing something wrong. "No, no. Mommy can’t pass germs to you."

I had never seen her being so innocent like that before.

As a new mother, she seemed so clumsy yet so gentle.

She was glowing with the joy of new motherhood, desperate to show it to the world, but I should not be part of that world anymore.

I forced a stiff smile, turned around and walked toward the door.

Sienna hurried after me, gently lifting the baby up for me to see. "Henry, look. Her nose and mouth, don’t they look exactly like Daniel’s?"

I looked down. That tiny face… it really did look like him. The resemblance was unmistakable as if they had been stamped from the same mold.

The sight stung my eyes. My throat tightened, sharp and painful.

I pushed the blanket away without emotion and looked at Sienna’s hopeful expression. Suddenly, I could not stand to give her what she wanted.

"Take it away. It’s irritating to look at. I can’t stand it."

The baby immediately burst into loud, startled wails.

Sienna’s gaze turned cold in an instant as she gently patted the child, trying to soothe her.

Her mother's glare cut through me like a blade. "You’re the one who’s irritating!"

Her father even jabbed a finger toward the door. "You’re not welcome here. Get out!"

At some point, Daniel had woken up.

"Henry..."

He looked at the Bailey Family with pleading eyes. "I need to talk to Henry. Just the two of us."

When the door to the ward closed behind us, Daniel lowered his head and apologized.

"Henry, I never meant to come between you and Sienna. She really does love you. That night… she was drunk and that’s how it happened."

My ears buzzed. "Wasn’t it supposed to be a sperm donation?"

He turned his face away, avoiding my eyes. "Sienna didn’t want to tell you. She was afraid it would hurt you."

"By the time she found out she was pregnant, three months had already passed. She was furious, said she wanted to get rid of the baby. But my mother’s health was getting worse… she just wanted to see me have a child before she passed. Sienna felt sorry for me. That’s why she agreed to keep it."

"Then why tell me now?" I looked at him coldly. "Why not keep it a secret forever?"

He clearly had not expected me to call him out so bluntly. His expression shifted, changing again and again, until he finally pressed his lips together and said nothing.

I let out a bitter laugh. "Now that she and I are done, the child’s already born and you three can play happy family, so what is there left for you to be afraid of?"

He suddenly glared at me, a strange, unsettling smile creeping across his face.

Then, without warning, he threw himself off the hospital bed.

There was a loud thud as he hit the ground, followed by a panicked scream. "Henry, I know I was wrong! Please don’t hit me!"

I froze, completely stunned.

Before I could process what was happening, someone yanked me backward with force.

Smack!

A sharp pain exploded across my cheek and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

Sienna's father stood there, pointing at me with a thunderous expression. "You bastard! Do you think a hospital is a place for you to blow up like that?"