Chapter 1
In the banquet hall, some people were crying, and others were cursing.
My mind went completely blank.
Just a few minutes ago, Eric was holding my hand and toasting with the elders.
Everyone was complimenting him for being young, talented, and humble.
Now, he was walking away with my cousin Carly, leaving me to face this mess all by myself.
“I always knew Lana, who’s like a hopeless case, could never find such a great boyfriend. It’s just a joke.”
“So did Lana steal Carly’s boyfriend? Carly is pregnant. How could she do that?”
“Eric and Carly are both top students from elite schools. They really do make a better match.”
Everyone has always favored my cousin Carly, who has good grades and a great family background.
Naturally, no one was on my side today.
“Lana, what... what exactly is going on here?”
My mom’s cold hand weakly held my wrist.
I turned my head in a daze and saw my dad’s face turning purple like a liver.
With a thud, he collapsed into his chair.
“Dad, what’s wrong?”
Finally, his dignity couldn’t bear the weight and was shattered right in front of everyone.
From the ambulance to the hospital, my mom held my hand and kept crying.
But I didn’t dare shed a single tear. I ran around, taking care of all the procedures.
It wasn’t until my dad was out of the emergency room and pushed back to the ward that I came to my senses.
My phone only had a few bank deduction messages.
There wasn’t a single word from Eric.
I took a deep breath and went to the pharmacy to get some medicine.
Unexpectedly, I ran into Eric chatting with a doctor.
“Wow, old buddy, I didn’t expect you to be the type to get married before settling down.”
Eric looked into the distance, a bit lost. “The baby isn’t mine. I just didn’t want her to be the subject of gossip.”
“Then why are you so worried, bringing Carly here late at night to stabilize the pregnancy? I remember, didn’t you and Carly’s cousin already talk about getting married?”
Eric nodded gently.
“Then, during the New Year, aren’t you afraid your girlfriend will get upset if you stay with Carly?”
“Carly will be fine, and then I can relax. I’m going to marry Lana anyway. I’ll spend the rest of my life with her. I don’t mind missing one night.”
The doctor sighed and shook his head. “I didn’t expect the top student from back in the day to be such a romantic. Does Carly appreciate how good you are to her?”
“It doesn’t matter if she appreciates it or not. As long as she’s doing well, I’m happy. Just being able to be part of her family and take care of her up close is enough for me.”
I suddenly remembered the first time my cousin introduced Eric to me.
By then, Eric had already graduated from high school for a few years, but teachers still loved to use him as an example of a top student to inspire everyone.
Carly pushed me in front of Eric with a smile.
“My cousin, Lana. She’s a big fan of yours.”
I was too busy blushing to notice that his eyes never left Carly when he spoke.
Not long after that meeting, Eric confessed to me.
I thought our love started at first sight.
I didn’t expect that he was just protecting my cousin in a different way.
“Eric,” Carly said, her face pale in her hospital gown.
Eric immediately went up to her and gently scolded, “Why did you come out? It’s so cold outside.”
“I was scared because you didn’t come back.”
Eric quickly took off his coat and wrapped it around her. “Let’s go back. Don’t catch a cold. Be a good girl and cooperate with the check-up. If all the indicators are good tomorrow, you can leave the hospital.”
Carly leaned against him, looking like a loving couple.
I couldn’t control my trembling voice: “Eric!”
