Chapter 5

Adeline's dad's condition was the same: choose a wife from those women.

Adeline's mom, in front of everyone, tearfully knelt—

"Xuwei, I'm begging you, find another woman, marry her, have a child this year."

"Or it'll be too late!"

She clung to my hand, eyes full of tears, reflecting my image.

Then, a guest suddenly stood up, shaking their head at me: "Xuwei, let it go, don't ask anymore."

"If you really want to know, promise me one thing, and I'll tell you."

Adeline's dad still insisted that I choose a wife from those women and get married.

Adeline's mom, amidst everyone, tearfully knelt before me—

"Nathan, I'm begging you, please find another woman to marry. You must have a child within this year."

"Otherwise, it'll be too late!"

She clutched my hand desperately, her tear-filled eyes pleading silently.

Suddenly, someone among the guests stood up and shook their head at me: "Nathan, let it go, don't ask anymore."

The woman in the crowd wore a long black dress, had short hair, and her expression was solemn and complex.

She glanced at Adeline's parents briefly and sighed—

"Just for Adeline's sake, stop pursuing this. Otherwise, she won't rest in peace."

I knew this woman; she was Adeline's best friend, Fiona.

They were as close as sisters, and after Adeline's death, besides me, she was the most heartbroken.

That made it even harder for me to accept: "Fiona, what are you saying? Do you also want Adeline's death to remain unexplained?"

I turned, my steps unsteady, towards Adeline's memorial tablet.

In the photo, she still smiled gently, but it was now in black and white.

I clenched my fingers tightly, and from my chest surged a determination—

"Adeline was my wife. If her parents won't honor her memory, then I, as her husband, will!"

"Moreover, she was carrying my child. Even if it takes everything I have, I must seek justice for her and our child!"

Fiona lowered her eyes and sighed: "Why are you doing this?"

At this moment, Adeline's dad suddenly spoke again: "Do you really want to know what we said to Adeline that day?"

I looked at him, filled with expectation and hope, momentarily stunned and bewildered.

Adeline's dad then calmly said, "I can tell you. Just hope that after knowing the truth, you'll stop here."

Adeline's mom instantly panicked and instinctively pulled at him: "Honey, you can't..."

But Adeline's dad shook off her hand and slowly walked towards me.

Under the silent gaze of all the guests, he leaned close to my ear and finally said those words.

6

The moment I heard those words, it felt as if I had been struck by lightning, leaving me frozen in disbelief.

Adeline's dad quickly stepped back, putting some distance between us.

I looked at them with a mix of shock and confusion and murmured, "How is that possible?"