Chapter 3

When I woke up, I found myself back in the bedroom.

"Fiona, don't think about leaving me."

Looking at Theo, who seemed utterly exhausted, the word "confinement" crossed my mind. I turned my head away, unwilling to look at him any longer. Theo didn't seem to care.

"Fiona, the PR department has announced that you're pregnant. Now everyone in East City knows you're about to..."

I let out a bitter laugh, full of anger.

"How could I not know I'm pregnant?"

Theo took a deep breath, sounding worn out:

"Don't be difficult, Fiona. Of course, this child can only be yours."

"Lydia will be giving birth soon. Just keep calm for now. Once the baby is born and I take care of Lydia, we will..."

I cut him off coldly.

"Get out."

Theo wanted to say more, but a phone call interrupted him.

"Theo, I'm feeling terrible. The doctor said the mother needs the father's support, or it will affect my mood and delivery..."

Lydia's frail, pleading voice came through the phone. Concern flickered in Theo's eyes as he looked at me hesitantly. When I stayed silent, he got angry.

"Fiona, you don't want to see me, but someone else is desperate for my company."

"If you keep quiet, I'll really leave."

Theo threw down a "Fine, don't regret it" and left in a huff. Even though I was thoroughly disappointed, watching Theo leave still made my heart ache.

I collapsed onto the bed to calm my emotions.

After a long while, I dialed a number.

"My dear, what a surprise to hear from you today."

"I even heard in Iceland that Mrs. Theo is pregnant. Your husband used to be so attached to you; now that you're about to give birth, he must be with you every day..."

I interrupted her softly.

"That child isn't mine."

The conversation came to a halt, and I could almost picture the shock on the other end of the line.

I chuckled self-deprecatingly and continued:

"I'll send you my details later. Please book me a flight for the afternoon two days from now..."

Before I could finish speaking, the door was pushed open.

I quickly hung up the phone.

Looking up, I met Lydia's face.

"Fiona, you don't look well."

"What? Upset because I could get Theo to leave with just one phone call?"

"I thought you knew Theo chose my child and would step back on your own. I didn't expect you'd shamelessly hold onto your position."

Lydia's face was full of arrogance, unlike the timid and obedient manner when we first met.

I retorted without hesitation.

"You're about to give birth and still running around. Aren't you afraid that the only leverage you have might be lost?"

I looked at her steadily.

"Having a child and thinking it will help you climb up?"

Lydia was furious but didn't act, only whispering harshly:

"Having a child might not work, but what if it drives you two apart?"

The next moment, she clutched her belly and fell backward.

She didn't fall because a pair of strong arms appeared behind her.

Theo protected Lydia, his eyes filled with anger, shouting at me for the first time:

"What are you doing! No matter what's between us, Lydia is pregnant and innocent. How can you lay hands on her!"

Lydia looked at Theo with gratitude, half aggrieved, half coquettish:

"Theo, I feel awful, but I don't want you to argue with Fiona because of me. It's all my fault..."

Watching Theo comfort her softly, bitterness spread in my mouth.

I tugged at the corner of my mouth, got out of bed, and slowly walked forward.

"I laid hands?"