Chapter 3

William's face instantly turned ashen. He grabbed my hands tightly and forced me back down onto the bed.

"Lisa, don't joke around."

William was usually mild-mannered and never lost his temper with me. This was the first time I'd seen him like this.

I was stunned, but when I came to my senses, I was more confused than anything.

I didn't understand why William, who was so clearly entangled with Heather, had purposely gotten me pregnant with his child.

William seemed to realize how frightening he looked. He took a deep breath and returned to his usual gentleness, coaxing me softly.

"This is my fault. It has nothing to do with the baby. If you're angry, take it all out on me."

I couldn't speak. It all felt so absurd.

Seeing I was still upset, William turned to Heather and scolded her, "This is all because of your big mouth! Get over here and apologize to Lisa right now!"

He was defending me, just like he always did. And that was exactly why I had never suspected anything between them before.

Heather was clearly unhappy after being yelled at by William, but she obediently walked over to me, looking wronged.

"Lisa, don't be mad anymore. The baby in your belly is what's important."

The nausea washed over me again.

Heather pouted. "You saw it yourself. William cares about you. Besides, we've been friends for so many years. I'm not here to steal your man."

I was so shocked by Heather's shamelessness that I couldn't even speak. Was what I saw in the stairwell just some kind of illusion?

"You're the baby's mother. William can't bear to lose you, and I care about you too. Can we just focus on having a healthy pregnancy, okay?"

"Get out!"

It was like I was seeing Heather for the first time. I grabbed the teacup from the nightstand and hurled it at her with all my might.

"Ah!"

Heather let out a pitiful scream. I looked up and saw the teacup shattered in the corner, with Heather on the floor.

I stared at my own hand, momentarily at a loss. Then I looked up and met William's furious gaze.

"Lisa!" It was almost a roar, but the accusing words were forced back down when he saw my pale face.

William silently rushed to Heather, carefully checking her body.

"I'm fine. Lisa is mad at me, and I deserve it."

William helped her up to go see a doctor, but before leaving, he made a point of saying to me.

"Don't go anywhere. The baby you're carrying is also my child. If anything happens to the baby..."

He stopped there, his expression extremely complicated. Then he took Heather and finally left the hospital room.

I sucked in a sharp breath, tears streaming down my face at the same time.

The tears I had been holding back for so long, alone now in that hospital room, finally burst forth like a flood.