“I’m okay, Dad. Don’t worry,” I said, my lips curving into a smile that felt like it would crack any moment. My chest was tight, but I masked it.

Dad’s eyes narrowed. He was never easily fooled. “Alice,” he said firmly, “you weren’t looking okay when you rushed into the restroom just now. Your face was so pale. Don’t lie to me. You’ve always been bad at hiding how you feel. Just listen to me for once and let the doctor check you.”

“Dad…” I tried to sound calm, but the weight in his tone pressed on me. “I said I’m fine. Really. You don’t need to worry so much.”

Vincent finally spoke, his voice surprisingly steady. “Just let the doctor check on you, Alice. It won’t take long.”

My head whipped toward him, eyes flashing. “There is no need,” I said sharply, my voice cutting through the air.

Dad looked between us, confused, worry deepening in his lines.

I swallowed and forced myself to move before the silence choked me. “Dad, we’ll be leaving now.” I bent down and kissed his cheek, whispering, “See you tomorrow.”

His hand lingered on mine as if he wanted to hold me back. Still, he nodded reluctantly, though his eyes screamed with unease. “Vincent,” he said pointedly, “take care of her once you get home.”

Vincent inclined his head. “I will.”

I almost laughed bitterly. If he was pretending to be this caring, then he deserved an award. But what if… he wasn’t pretending? That thought stung me deeper than it should have.

Outside, the night air bit against my skin as we entered the car. Vincent’s silence was heavy, suffocating almost. Finally, he glanced at me, his knuckles pale against the wheel.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” he asked quietly.

My chest tightened. I forced down the surge of emotions threatening to spill. I turned to him sharply. “Do you care, Vincent? Tell me. Why are you asking me such questions when you don’t care?”

His jaw clenched, his Adam’s apple bobbing as if he swallowed words he couldn’t say. “Because—”

“Don’t,” I cut him off, my voice trembling with fury. “Don’t pretend. Remember this marriage of ours is based solely on contract. Let’s live our lives separately. Don’t worry—I won’t go against any rules in the contract.”

I grabbed the door handle and pushed it open before he could respond.

A cab pulled up just in time.

“To where, miss?” the driver asked.

“Landline Street,” I replied, climbing in quickly.

Through the cab’s glass, I turned one last time. Vincent had stepped out of the car, standing motionless, his face unreadable. He didn’t chase after me, didn’t say a word. His figure blurred in the distance until I couldn’t see him anymore.

My heart ached despite my resolve. I hope what I’m doing won’t hurt me later. I’ve always been weak when it comes to emotions.

By the time I got home, the silence of the apartment pressed against me. I quickly refreshed and went to prepare dinner—soy milk and bacon, something simple.

But the moment the smell of the milk hit me, nausea clawed at my throat. My stomach lurched violently.

“No… not again,” I whispered, rushing to the bathroom. My body convulsed as I emptied what little was in my stomach.

I leaned against the sink, trembling. This week made it one week and two days into my pregnancy. And I had no idea how long I could keep this secret.

Dragging myself back into the kitchen, I made porridge—bland, safe. At least it didn’t make me gag. I ate slowly, each spoonful heavy.

Just as I finished, my phone rang. The shrill sound startled me so badly I dropped the bowl.

“Who could be calling at this hour?” I muttered, wiping my hands and reaching for the phone.

An unfamiliar number blinked on the screen. I hesitated, then swiped to answer. “Hello, this is Alice from KNT Group—”

My words died. Gosh. “I don’t even work there anymore.”

A sharp scoff cut through the line. “You still dare say you work at KNT Group? So shameless.”

My chest tightened. I already regretted answering. “Mrs. Brookenly, if you don’t have anything important to say, I’m ending this call.”

“Huh? So that’s how your father raised you? Talking back to your elders like this?”

My grip on the phone tightened. “Apart from teaching me respect, my father also taught me to respond to those who don’t deserve it.”

“Shut up, you filthy child!” The woman’s voice rose, venomous. “I’m your mother!”

The words slammed into me like ice. My breath caught, but I steadied my voice. “I don’t have any mother. For me, my mother died a long time ago—in my memory.”

“You blame me for leaving your father?” she hissed. “He was a gold digger! He only wanted my help to fund his company, and he—”

I cut her off coldly. “If you don’t have anything useful to say, I’m ending this call.”

“Fine,” she spat. “But I heard your marriage contract will soon end.”

My heart clenched so tightly it hurt. She was right. Two years. That was all I had left.

“Soon?” I forced a stiff laugh. “Unless you think two years is soon, then yes—say whatever you want.”

“I called to warn you,” she sneered. “No one should know about your marriage to Vincent. Apart from the few people who already know, you’re expected to keep your mouth shut till the very end.”

Anger surged through me, hot and bitter. “And who are you to tell me what to do? The whole world knows Vincent is married but hasn’t seen his wife. If I expose the truth, what will you do?”

Her laugh was cruel. “Try it, Alice. Just try it. You’ll see what happens to you—”

Click. I ended the call, my hands shaking.

I couldn’t believe it. My own mother—no, that woman—threatening me like this.

I already knew their plan. Once my contract with Vincent ended, Lilian would step in, pretending she was the hidden wife all along. And me? My father? We’d be thrown aside like garbage.

A lump burned in my throat. I pressed my hand to my belly. “Don’t worry, babies. Mommy won’t let them hurt you. Not now. Not ever.”

I swallowed my vitamins, crawled into bed, and tried to breathe.

Just as I was drifting off, my phone buzzed again.

It was Adrian.

“Rest well. Don’t overthink. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. My heart calmed just a little, enough to let me sleep.

But even as my eyes closed, fear gnawed at me. Deep inside, I knew—tomorrow wouldn’t be so peaceful.