Chapter 3

3

After Corinne slammed the bedroom door, I sank weakly onto the couch, overwhelmed with bitterness.

I never imagined our marriage would end up in such a mess.

All the sweetness and happiness we once shared had dissolved into arguments and betrayal.

I picked up the papers from the floor, my vision blurring.

The vows and promises we once exchanged now seemed so hollow and pathetic.

I tried to calm down, but the agony surged like a tidal wave, suffocating me.

Glancing down at Corinne's open purse on the floor, I noticed an unfolded medical report peeking out.

Driven by curiosity, I picked it up.

The moment my eyes scanned the words, my hands began to tremble violently.

We… were having a baby.

In that split second, raw excitement overpowered my rationale.

I thought to myself: maybe a child could mend the cracks in our marriage.

Perhaps this baby was the turning point we needed to breathe new life into our home.

Taking a deep breath, I walked to the bedroom door and knocked gently.

She opened the door, her eyes brimming with cold exhaustion.

"Corinne, I just saw your medical report. We're having a baby," I said, trying my best to sound calm, though my trembling voice betrayed my excitement.

Her expression turned wildly complex, a flash of panic darting across her eyes.

She didn't speak, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the doorframe.

"I know you might not feel ready, but I believe we can start over for the sake of this child. We can fix our marriage and give the baby a complete family."

I was trying to convince her, and perhaps desperately trying to convince myself.

She stayed silent for a moment, clearly calculating something, before forcing a soft smile.

"Yes, we're having a baby. That's why my heart broke when you doubted me earlier. I almost thought about terminating the pregnancy because I didn't want our baby born into a home full of suspicion!"

I froze on the spot, my joy instantly crushed under a heavy wave of guilt.

I even began to question whether I had been too paranoid and unfair to my wife.

"Corinne, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you like that." Looking at the tears in her eyes, I let out a heavy sigh.

Corinne didn't answer, turning back into the bedroom and closing the door behind her.

From that day on, I treated Corinne with even greater care, dedicating almost all my free time to her.

When she felt unwell and needed hospitalization, I arranged a luxury private VIP suite for her, personally cooking and delivering three meals a day.

I showered her with gifts and spent every non-work hour by her side, desperate to mend our bond.

Her attitude gradually softened, and it felt like we were drifting back to how we used to be.

I even began dreaming about our blissful future as a family of three.

Every time I thought about our upcoming baby, my heart swelled with anticipation.

Yet, Corinne's underlying demeanor still left me slightly uneasy.

Though she was no longer icy, she never showed genuine warmth either.

She always maintained a subtle distance that made her true thoughts impossible to read.

"Corinne, what do you think we should name the baby?" I asked one day, trying to spark a warm conversation.

She offered a faint smile, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes. "Let's talk about that later. Right now, the baby's health is all that matters."

I felt a pang of disappointment, but I didn't push further, assuming she was still lingering on past grievances.

Right after wrapping up a business dinner, I rushed home to cook her favorite dishes and brought them straight to the hospital.

"They're so sweet together! I wish I had such a handsome husband. The girl just said she felt a little sick, and he stroked her hair and kissed her. It was adorable!"

A young nurse stepping out of Corinne's room giggled as she gossiped with her colleague.

Hearing that, I froze right outside the door.

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