Chapter 6

Ashley spoke before I did.

“Honey, we’re having a baby!”

Her eyes actually sparkled with excitement.

She began to gently caress her lower belly.

She seemed to be wholeheartedly embracing this unexpected new life.

A halo of maternal glow seemed to radiate from her.

“Ashley, I remember us using protection.”

I reminded her, gently.

But Ashley seemed unfazed.

“Honey, are you mistaken?”

“Didn’t we go without a few times?”

“Besides, nothing’s ever 100%, is it?”

“Honey, aren’t you happy about becoming a dad?”

Ashley suddenly sounded very clever.

The times we "went without" were four or five months ago.

I remembered all of it very clearly.

What’s more, it was Ashley who, three months ago, had specifically said she didn't want children yet.

She wanted to enjoy more of our time as a couple.

Everything had been premeditated, and I had been completely oblivious.

Not only had Ashley made a fool of me, but now she wanted me to be a fool of a father.

I tried to calm my emotions, planning my next move.

First, I would play along, without revealing my hand, and find out who Ashley’s lover was.

One, two, I'd find them all.

“Ashley, I’m just… I’m going to be a dad, and I’m a bit overwhelmed right now.”

I sat back down beside her hospital bed.

Ashley took my hand and placed it on her stomach.

“Honey, feel this, it’s our baby.”

Her touch now made me feel sick, felt dirty.

I slowly withdrew my hand.

“Ashley, you should rest. Don’t get too excited.”

“You’re right, honey.”

“A client gave me some banana bread today. Knowing you were allergic, I gave it to Mark.”

“I never thought you still couldn’t escape the banana allergy.”

I stared intently at Ashley’s face, observing her reaction.

Her face went pale, then red, and her hand trembled slightly.

Her mouth twitched, and her expression looked unnatural.

“Guess I couldn’t avoid the allergy today.”

“Honey, I’m tired, I need to sleep.”

“You should go home too. You have work tomorrow.”

She seemed eager to get rid of me. Was she going to call her lover with the good news?

“Ashley, you’re in the hospital. What kind of work can I go to?”

Ashley shook her head.

“Honey, I’m fine.”

“Now that we have a baby, you need to earn money for formula, right?”

Since she wanted me to leave so badly, I'd humor her.

I didn't argue further and walked out of the hospital room.

But after lingering in the corridor for a while, I quietly returned to the side of Ashley’s room.

Leaning against the wall, I pretended to be engrossed in my phone.

As expected, I heard Ashley’s voice from inside the room, talking on the phone.

“Mark, Leo gave you bread today?”

“Did you know he gave you banana bread?”

“You almost killed me!”

“Alright, that’s it, I have to hang up now.”

I peeked through the doorway; Ashley seemed to have sent a message.

Soon after, she put down her phone and lay down to sleep.

My friend, Mark, was definitely Ashley’s lover.

But he wasn't necessarily the baby’s father.

Because Ashley hadn't told him about the pregnancy.