Unexpected Pregnancy

04 He Has Moved Forward

Lila's POV

After the divorce, I continue my job as a sales representative for the medical equipment company, while Alexander shines brightly in his role as the head of orthopedics. Our worlds separate once again, each of us returning to our respective paths.

In the social circles of Renai Hospital, our story still occasionally comes up.

The doctor I'm familiar with once told me that during a department dinner, someone accidentally mentioned my name. Alexander's face immediately darkened, and he put down his utensils and walked out without saying a word.

When I heard this, my heart fluttered slightly, but I quickly regained my composure.

It's understandable. He used to be perfect, admired by everyone—handsome, young, and successful.

Such an outstanding man was labeled "divorced" because of me, reducing him to "damaged goods." It's entirely reasonable that he hates me; I'm the blemish on his otherwise perfect life.

So, when I told him I was pregnant with his baby, he coldly responded, "Find someone else to be the father."

He was so decisive, as if neither I nor the baby had ever existed in his life.

Yet even as a divorced man, Alexander remains popular at the hospital. Young nurses constantly compete for the chance to assist him in surgery. There are even female patients who specifically ask for his contact information during his rounds.

No matter where he goes, he draws countless eyes.

Meanwhile, my life after the divorce falls into a different kind of struggle.

My mother seems possessed, relentlessly pushing me to attend various matchmaking events and dine with different men.

I've become numb to these endless blind dates. I've gone from initial resistance to passive acceptance because it's the only way to keep my mother from nagging.

This time, the matchmaker introduced me to a bank employee. He's 35, has a stable job, and his parents are both on pensions.

"It's hard to find a man like him. Sure, he's not very tall, and he's a bit older, but he doesn't mind that you're divorced," the matchmaker kept chattering in my ear. "If you miss out on him, you won't find anyone better."

My mother nodded enthusiastically, "As long as my daughter gets married, I'll be at ease."

In her eyes, the only road to happiness ends in marriage.

As the matchmaker left, my mother even slipped her some money, hoping she could say nice things about me to the man.

I just nodded mechanically, letting her make all the arrangements.

And then, right at this critical moment, I found out I'm pregnant.

My mom was so furious that she kicked me out of the house.

But a mother is always a mother. Just after I leave Alexander's office and reach the parking lot, I get a call from her.

"If you don't want an abortion, that's fine," she says, her tone much softer than before.

"Your dad says you're not young anymore, and having an abortion might be bad for your health. Since you're already dating around, why not bring that guy over so we can meet him? If he's decent, just marry him."

I listen to her on the other end of the line and take a deep breath.

Marry him?

The father of my baby refuses to acknowledge it. He doesn't want to take any responsibility.

"I had a one-night stand. I don't even remember the man's face," I lie.

There's a pause on the other end of the line, and I brace myself, expecting mom to explode again. But to my surprise, she says, "Alright, how about this: you have the baby, and your dad and I will take care of it. We'll just tell everyone it's your younger sibling, and then you can continue with the matchmaking."

I sigh softly. My mother is obsessed with the idea of me getting married.

But I'm so tired of it all.

"Two kids are enough for our family—Charlotte and me, okay?" I try to keep my voice calm, then quickly hang up the phone.

However, the moment I disconnect, it rings again. Irritated, I answer.

"Mom, it really won't work—aren't you already past menopause? How are you going to have a baby?"

"Mom's in menopause?" This time, it's Charlotte's voice on the other end.

She's my 18-year-old sister, who just started college.

I glance at the time. "Shouldn't you be in class right now?"

"School is on holiday early. Sis, I'll be home tonight."

Hearing Charlotte's cheerful voice eases some of the tension in me.

For her sake, I can endure the family dinner tonight.

I decide to head to the mall's imported grocery store in the basement to buy some of her favorite snacks, then drive home.

But in the parking lot, I see Alexander again.

He's holding a tiny baby in his arms. The baby seems to be asleep, and he's looking down at it with a soft smile, a tenderness I've never seen on his face before.

A beautiful woman approaches them from a distance.

When she sees them, she smiles and walks over to Alexander, reaching out as if to take the baby. But Alexander gently shakes his head, smiling as he refuses.

He says something quietly, probably worried that the baby is too heavy for her to carry. Then he hands her a small, light box to hold instead.

My vision blurs slightly.

He's married now, with a child.

No wonder he refuses to acknowledge what happened that night.

No wonder he doesn't want our baby.