Chapter 3

The first thing Lorne said when he came home was, "I've recovered."

The second thing he said was, "Peanut is one month old now. What gift have you, as his godmother, prepared for him?"

I couldn't help but laugh, folding my arms and looking at him coldly.

Excessive blood loss, giving birth to a stillborn - even now, I can't lift anything heavy, and I often feel dizzy, with heart palpitations and cold sweats.

Perhaps feeling guilty, he lifted the bass in his hand and said with an apologetic smile:

"Darling, you've been through so much. Look what I bought specially for you."

I shook my head at his hopeful gaze:

"Bass is for increasing lactation, not for enriching the blood."

Lorne's expression froze for a moment before he quickly slipped into the kitchen.

Soon after, a voice drifted from the kitchen:

"As Peanut's godfather, I don't have much to offer. I was thinking of transferring the deed of this apartment we're living in to Peanut. What do you think?"

"No way!"

I replied firmly.

This apartment was bought with all our savings. I was still figuring out how to divide it in the divorce settlement, yet he had the idea of giving the house to an outsider.

Not considering his own child, but wholeheartedly devoted to someone else's.

I understood Lorne less and less.Unable to resist my grievance and anger any longer, I shouted towards the kitchen:

"Lorne, do you have a heart? Giving the house to someone else, have you even considered me, considered our child?"

He leaned out, his expression full of helplessness and reproach.

As if I was being unreasonable, throwing a pointless tantrum.

"You should know, Peanut is a boy. If you had given birth to a girl, wouldn't we still have to rely on Peanut for our retirement?"

"Besides, what if our child turns out to be a failure in the future and squanders all our family assets? What then?"

"Peanut inherited his mother's sharp intellect. He's bound to be very successful. Just think of this as a sure-fire investment."

My blood rushed to my head, my chest heaving with anger.

My hands unconsciously caressed my flat belly. At this moment, I found myself somewhat relieved that sweetheart had gone to another world early.

If he were to be born without blessings and expectations, I'd rather he had never come at all.

"Lorne, you're so concerned, anyone would think you were Peanut's real dad. What's the deal? The biological father's whereabouts are unknown, so you, the godfather, have to figure everything out?"

He was visibly agitated, pointing at my nose and telling me to watch my language. I brushed his hand away, my tone mocking:

"Fabiana's been such a playgirl outside, she doesn't even know who her kid's father is. And here you are, rushing to pick up her slack. Do you know what they call you at the hospital? Mr. Provider."

I enunciated each word, each one a verbal dagger.

"Don't you dare talk about Fabiana like that!"

He was clearly furious, raising his hand to strike me across the face.

I fell back, sitting on the floor.

His gaze dropped to my stomach.

Even in loose loungewear, it was visibly clear there was no sign of pregnancy.

Lorne hesitated for a moment, then became ecstatic.

"Darling, you've finally lost the weight! But you still need to eat more. Fabiana was too skinny, that's why she hemorrhaged. Don't follow in her footsteps. RH-negative blood is rare, and no one's going to donate for you."

"I was worried your figure would change after giving birth, but now I see it won't. Thank goodness."

"The property transfer is settled then. In ten days, you'll come with me to handle the paperwork."

With that, he went to the storage room, grabbed a bag of baby items I had prepared for my unborn sweetheart, and rushed out the door.

A strange, foul smell wafted from the kitchen. The crucian carp was still boiling in the pot, its innards floating on the surface.A truly superficial effort.

"It's fine. If you're so uninterested, I'll just leave."

Staring at that disgusting goldfish, I said with a bitter smile.