Chapter 2: I Will Not Bear Your Child

A sudden sense of foreboding swept over Gu Fangyu. She lowered her eyes, mentally counting the days, and realized her period was already ten days late this month. Her heart sank further with every passing second.

She steadied herself as best she could and stepped outside. Now that Gu Yao was in trouble, and the incident involved an argument with her, there was no way to avoid going to the hospital.

But as soon as she left the door, she saw that Gu Hanchen’s car was still waiting outside.

The rear window rolled down, and the man’s deep, brooding gaze swept over her. “Get in.”

She hadn’t expected him to wait for her. Instinctively, she glanced around, worried someone might see. Knowing how suspicious he was by nature, she dared not share a car with him.

But the man’s patience had clearly run out. “Don’t make me say it twice.”

Suppressing her panic, she reached for the front passenger door, intending to sit up front.

“The back,” he ordered curtly.

Her hand paused on the door, but in the end, she closed the front and opened the rear door instead.

“Unhappy about it?” His eyes stayed on the road ahead, his low voice heavy with an invisible threat.

“No.”

“Is it that you don’t dare, or that you don’t care?”

Instantly, the spacious car felt suffocating, the air impossible to breathe. From the moment she sat down, she was tense throughout.

“You really can’t let go, can you? For the sake of Xie Chenhao, you wouldn’t even spare a child. Gu Fangyu, your heart is truly ruthless.” He turned, his sharp gaze as chilling as a blade.

Her hands clenched tighter on her knees, fingernails digging into her skin.

“If I said I didn’t push her, would you believe me?” She turned her head to meet his eyes.

For a moment, hope flickered in her heart, but under his icy stare, it was extinguished completely.

She smiled bitterly. She should have known.

Gu Fangyu looked away, staring out the window. “Don’t worry. I know my place. Since I agreed to break up with Xie Chenhao, I won’t look back. He belongs to your precious sister Gu Yao now—I won’t take him from her.”

“You’d better remember what you said today.”

Gu Fangyu pressed her lips together in silence.

She thought the matter had passed and she could make it to the hospital without further incident.

But the next moment, he dropped another bombshell. “Since you’re not feeling well, have the doctor check you out when we get to the hospital.”

A chill swept over her. The moment she dreaded had come.

“Gu Hanchen, did you really believe what the maid said? Do you actually think I’m pregnant?” It took her a moment to recognize her own voice.

He leaned in, scrutinizing her face up close.

“I have a cold uterus, it’s difficult for me to conceive. I haven’t gotten pregnant in years—why would it happen now? Besides, haven’t you always watched me take the morning-after pill every time?” She struggled to keep her composure, forcing a wry smile. “Even if you don’t believe me, you should at least believe in yourself, shouldn’t you?”

As she spoke, she watched his expression, uncertain if he believed her.

Gu Fangyu herself had no idea whether she was pregnant or not. She needed to be checked, but definitely not with him present.

He narrowed his eyes, his face unreadable, dark as a thundercloud.

Suddenly, Gu Hanchen leaned in, grabbed her chin, and bit down hard on the corner of her lips.

Harsh, violent.

The taste of blood flooded her mouth. Instinctively, she tried to resist, but he seized her wrists before she could.

Only when she was gasping for air did he finally let her go.

But his face remained close to hers, his breath hot against her skin. “You’d better remember what you just said.”

Gu Fangyu wrenched herself from his grasp, scooting as far as she could toward the car door.

Thankfully, he didn’t say anything more.

She breathed an inward sigh of relief—she’d barely survived this ordeal.

To dispel his remaining doubts, she quietly wiped the fresh blood from her lips onto the seat cushion while he wasn’t looking.

The rest of the ride passed in silence.

When they arrived at the hospital, Gu Fangyu practically tumbled out of the car, as if fleeing a plague.

The man’s eyes were dark, his gaze following her retreating figure, deep and unreadable.

Gu Hanchen opened the door on the other side, about to get out.

Suddenly, he stopped.

He turned, his gaze falling on the spot of red on the leather seat.

His eyes darkened further; his face stiffened before he ordered Lin Mu in the driver’s seat, “Later, go to the hospital shop and buy some sanitary pads for her. Bring them to her.”

Lin Mu: “…”

When had a grown man like him ever bought such things?

Being the boss’s assistant these days was truly a thankless job.

Gu Fangyu hadn’t gone far. She was hiding around a corner, secretly observing.

She watched his silhouette by the car, heart still in her throat, unsure if the blood she’d left would really put his suspicions to rest.

When Gu Fangyu arrived at the ward, the doctor had already checked Gu Yao. The child was fine, though there were signs of a threatened miscarriage, and she’d need to rest in bed for a few days.

But when Gu Yao saw her come in, she clung to their mother, crying relentlessly. “I know my sister is hurting inside. She still blames me for taking Chenhao away. But the baby is innocent—how could she be so cruel…”

“It’s all my fault, I never should have come back, let alone taken away the man my sister loves.”

“Don’t cry, dear, crying won’t do your baby any good.” Their mother gently stroked her back, soothing her. “What are you saying? Your Uncle and Aunt Xie are both here. There’s no such thing as stealing. You and Chenhao have been betrothed since childhood. Ask Uncle and Aunt Xie if you don’t believe it.”

“Really?” Gu Yao looked up, eyes brimming with tears that trembled at the corners, a pitiful sight.

Madam Xie hurried to reassure her, “Of course, Yao Yao. Our Chen has always wanted to marry you. Don’t worry, he’ll take responsibility for you and the child. Isn’t that right, son?”

As she spoke, Madam Xie pulled Xie Chenhao, who had been silent the whole time, over.

Under his mother’s stern gaze, Xie Chenhao could only nod against his will. “Yes.”

Gu Yao, satisfied with the answer, beamed.

She lifted her eyes, casting a triumphant, challenging look at Gu Fangyu standing in the doorway.

Gu Fangyu’s lips curved in a faint smile; she found it all rather childish.

She turned to leave, only to bump straight into Gu Hanchen.

Startled, she stumbled back.

Seeing how she recoiled from him as if he were a viper, his expression darkened instantly.

Without sparing her a glance, he strode past. Then, before she could react, he barked, “Get in here and apologize!”

Gu Fangyu jumped in fright.

Gu Yao, seeing this, became even more smug.

With her brother backing her, she stood tall and proud.

“Brother, you heard what they said—this marriage was arranged by our elders. Even if my sister is unhappy, she shouldn’t take it out on the child.” The tears she hadn’t wiped away now streamed down her cheeks even more dramatically.

The man shot a warning look toward the door.

Gu Fangyu understood his intentions perfectly. He was using this opportunity to make her give up on Xie Chenhao once and for all.

Gu Hanchen had always stubbornly believed she was still pining for Xie Chenhao, even though he was now engaged to Gu Yao.

After so long, she no longer cared what he thought. It wouldn’t change her fate of being trapped by him anyway.

Gu Fangyu sighed softly and walked inside. “I didn’t push anyone. I never meant harm to the child.”

“Fangyu, if that’s truly how you feel, we’ll be at ease. You and Chenhao grew up together, but some feelings are best left in the past. You must understand that.”

“Let’s put today behind us. From now on, Chenhao is your brother-in-law. I hope you and your sister can get along.” Her mother looked at her kindly, but her words left no doubt whose side she was on.

Gu Fangyu could only smile bitterly. What a loving family, indeed.

“Apologize,” the man ordered coldly from the side.

Her smile deepened, though it never reached her eyes.

Whether she’d pushed anyone, whether she still had feelings for Xie Chenhao—none of them really cared.

All they wanted was an answer that would put their minds at ease.

If that was what they needed, then an apology was what she would give.

Gu Fangyu stepped forward, lowered her head, and said, “I’m sorry.”