Serena's first instinct was to reach for her bag, but with several pairs of eyes on her, she forced herself to resist.

She held the mahjong tile, her fingertips cold.

The third sister-in-law raised an eyebrow, her voice rising an octave, "A pregnancy test? What's so strange about that? It just means someone is pregnant, in a house full of women."

The fourth sister-in-law waved the pregnancy test around, explaining carefully.

"Third sister-in-law, this thing was found in a corner of the upstairs hallway. Who among tonight's guests would go upstairs when there's a bathroom downstairs? Also, that upstairs area is quite hidden, the maid usually wouldn't take guests there."

"So?"

"So it must be someone in the family."

The scope of the family was quite small. The Forrest family had five siblings, with the eldest, William, deceased, leaving four: three men and one woman. Present today were only one woman, Shirley, along with the third and fourth brother's wives, and the widow, Serena.

Pregnancy was generally a good thing, but according to the fourth sister-in-law's words, the sneaky manner suggested otherwise.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Shirley spoke first, "Don't look at me, I have strict rules. Any man who doesn't take precautions is kicked out."

Serena felt she should say something too, but couldn't force out a word. Her heart was pounding in her throat. She thought, it's over.

How would she explain if she was found out?

Elder Mr. Forrest wouldn't stop her from remarrying, but she needed a name to cover it up. If necessary, she could turn to Elliot; after all, he'd helped her more than once.

While she was racking her brains, someone at the mahjong table raised their hand in surrender.

The third sister-in-law was both embarrassed and annoyed, "Alright, alright, it's mine. Fourth sister-in-law, why did you have to bring it up and make things awkward?"

The fourth sister-in-law was very disappointed, "What's so hard about admitting it's yours?"

"I already have three kids and was planning to stop. This one is definitely not wanted, so there's no point in talking about it."

The table regained its calm, with the fourth sister-in-law sitting beside the third, offering advice.

"Play this one! Hey, I heard James is getting engaged."

Thud!

A mahjong tile fell on the table. Serena picked it up, lamenting, "I didn't get the one I wanted."

"Your luck isn't great today," the third sister-in-law remarked. "You heard correctly, he is getting engaged. To Elder Cole's granddaughter, three years younger than the fifth brother. She's finally back in the country. They went through a lot together; during that car accident four years ago, she stayed with him in the US for a month. The old man is very pleased with her."

"So, last month when the old man insisted that the fifth brother go discuss the resort project, it was to...?"

The third sister-in-law looked at her tiles, delighted, "Yes, to give them some alone time. They must have had a great time because today they're officially announcing it."

Oh, so his two-week business trip was actually a romantic getaway. Serena focused on her tiles, thinking of nothing else.

"Now the only single one left in the Forrest family is you, second sister."

The second sister lifted her chin, "Pure color, I've won!"

Serena jumped up, smiling, "Shirley, I just remembered I have a document to handle. You all keep playing!"

The third sister-in-law, having lost halfway through her game, was unhappy seeing Serena leave right after helping.

"Our sister-in-law, a small secretary busier than the president. Maybe she doesn't want to play with us."

The fourth sister-in-law pouted, "Who knows what madness drove the eldest brother to marry her, causing such upheaval in the family. And within a month of marrying this jinx, he was diagnosed with his illness. I say, this Winter woman is a curse on the Forrest family. Our poor father-in-law, swindled by Elder Winter in his youth, now facing the loss of his son because of Young Winter. Oh, and she has a comatose mother needing a hundred thousand a month for care, relying on our Forrest family."

"That amount is nothing. The eldest brother left enough for them to live comfortably. Honestly, I admire her. Less than a year of marriage, and she secured the title of Forrest family's eldest daughter-in-law. Even if the father-in-law is annoyed with her, he has to support her publicly. If she remarries, the Forrest family will have to contribute. Look at her shrewdness, we can't compare."

Shirley's brow furrowed as their conversation grew increasingly inappropriate.

"Fourth sister-in-law, care to repeat your evaluation of my eldest brother in front of the old man?"

The man's voice was harsh, causing everyone to turn in surprise. James leaned against a low cabinet, a smile on his lips, though no one believed he was truly amused.

Serena found a secluded corner to sit down. The pregnancy test lay quietly in her bag, having been slipped back by James at some point. She rubbed her temples, trying to shake off the noise of the lively room behind her, but she couldn't shake off her anxiety.

She thought back to that night four years ago, when her mother's condition suddenly worsened. The hospital issued three critical notices, and she was beside herself with worry. She called James, who was on a business trip in the US, only to have his assistant answer, saying James was in surgery after a car accident.

It was hard to describe her feelings then; words like 'thunderstruck' and 'heart-wrenching' weren't enough. She sat trembling in the cold, sterile hospital corridor until William, the eldest son of the Forrest family, appeared.

Their reunion was at William's bedside: Serena as William's wife, James as William's brother, surrounded by doctors and family. They looked at each other from a distance, both familiar and strange.

No matter what, it was her betrayal first. James had every reason to hate her, and the torment she endured for three years was deserved.

Fortunately, it was finally time for it to end.

Serena could always recognize James' footsteps immediately. Before he got close, she turned around. James was wearing a suit, but as usual, he hadn't bothered with a tie. He had unbuttoned the top two buttons, his rebellious look matching his perpetually unruly hair.

Serena gave him a smile. "Fifth brother, I heard the news. Congratulations."

James halted half a meter away from her. They both stood by the corridor, beyond which lay the garden, lit with flowers and trees. The lights outside mingled with those inside, casting shadows over James' handsome features.

"Congratulations on what?"

"I heard from your third sister-in-law that you're getting engaged. To Elder Cole's granddaughter, Miss Cole, who went through so much with you four years ago. That's wonderful."

James' sharp eyes fixed on her. "She is indeed wonderful. At least she wouldn't abandon me in a foreign country to fend for myself."

A pang hit Serena's heart, but she maintained her smile. "Settle down soon, and William will be at peace."

With that, she tried to stand up casually, but the wicker chair caught her skirt, causing her to sit back down awkwardly.

This was really bad; it made her look utterly defeated. Her hands trembled as she tried to free her skirt. She took a deep breath, silently urging herself to stay calm, and then found herself trapped as James blocked her in the chair.

The man's arms caged her in, casting a shadow over her. James looked down at her, anger simmering in his eyes.

"What right do you have to speak of my brother's peace? You married him just to take advantage of his kindness and his money. He nearly risked his life for you, and what about you?" James paused, pulling out a contemptuous smile. "Less than a month after he died, you crawled into my bed. Tell me, can William's ashes rest in peace?"

Serena felt a string snap in her mind. She instinctively swung her hand, only for James to catch it effortlessly. He held her hand tightly, sneering, "Sister-in-law, tell me, where did I go wrong?"

Serena bit her lip, her chest heaving. Looking at James' face, unfairly handsome, he seemed like a ruthless judge, capable of dissecting her soul with ease.

After a long moment, Serena lowered her gaze and sighed softly. "You're right. I have no right to be entangled with the Forrest family. So, James..."

When she looked up again, her eyes were calm as a still lake.

"Let us end this."