Misplaced fatherly love

Chapter 1

Five months pregnant and unmarried, my fiancé, Chen Yun, was finally about to go public with his company. I was thrilled, planning to go home with him and meet his wealthy parents to set a wedding date. Instead, he turned around and married his childhood sweetheart.

“Now that I have money,” he said, “I have to marry the woman I love most.”

My heart shattered. I planned to get an abortion. But the doctor said I was naturally weak; terminating the pregnancy would make it extremely difficult for me to conceive again.

Then, Chen Yun’s arch-rival, Lu Ming, contacted me. He looked at my belly and smirked.

“Let’s get married,” he said. “Let your child call me ‘Dad,’ how about that?”

I was silent for two minutes, then looked at him and said, word for word, “I agree. But are you willing to be the… uh… the ‘stepdad’?”

Lu Ming breathed a sigh of relief when I agreed. He laughed. “A hundred times yes!”

I was surprised by his eagerness, but I just smirked. I knew Lu Ming was in a fierce business battle with Chen Yun, and his company was reportedly facing a financial crisis. Marrying me, a woman carrying another man’s child, would certainly provide some compensation.

I paused, then added, “Don’t worry, as compensation, I’ll invest in your company.”

Lu Ming’s lips curved into a smile. I couldn’t tell if he believed me. He just nodded, his eyes serious.

“Deal. We’re getting married.”

After saying goodbye to Lu Ming, I took a deep breath and went back to the tiny apartment Chen Yun and I had shared for three years to pack my things. But when I opened the door, I saw him.

Chen Yun saw my slightly swollen belly and a knowing look came over his face.

“I knew you wouldn’t get rid of our child.”

He stood up, pulled out a card from his wallet, and handed it to me.

“Ten thousand dollars. Consider it compensation for you and the baby.” He continued, “Even though I married someone else, since you’re no longer working for me, I’ll give you two thousand dollars a month in child support.”

I almost laughed. From age 22 to 25, I’d supported Chen Yun through his struggling startup, sacrificing three years of my life. And this was his repayment? It was pathetic. It wouldn’t even buy me a decent handbag.

I waved his card away, cold as ice.

“I don’t need it. We’re over. My child and I have nothing more to do with you.”

His face flushed with anger.

“Su Qianqian, don’t be ungrateful!” he sneered. “My company is about to go public. I’ll be worth millions! Even if you won’t be my wife, you could still be my mistress. I’ll take care of you both. Our child, even if he’s illegitimate, will still live a life of luxury! Don’t regret this!”

A wave of nausea washed over me at his arrogance. The man I’d loved for five years had completely changed after he tasted success.

I clenched my fists.

“I won’t regret it.”

His anger reached its peak. He slammed the card in my face.

“Ungrateful bitch! One day, you’ll crawl back to me like a dog!”

He stormed out. I watched him go, a cold smile playing on my lips. He needs my approval for his company to go public.

My relationship with Chen Yun began in college. After graduation, he started his business with nothing, and I supported him completely. My father disapproved, and I cut ties with my family for a while. After three years of hardship, his company finally took off. My father softened, and agreed to invest a significant amount of money to help Chen Yun’s company go public. Then, even better news – I was pregnant.

I told Chen Yun; he was ecstatic, proposed immediately, and painted a picture of our future together. But the next day, his childhood sweetheart, Han Xiaoxiao, called and invited him to dinner. He came back cold and asked for a breakup.

“I’ve known for years that she’s the one I love,” he said. “Seeing Xiaoxiao again made it even clearer. We’re over. I have money now, so I’ll marry the woman I really love.”

That moment, my heart froze. Five years of love reduced to a cruel joke…

When I told my father I was marrying Lu Ming while pregnant, he was serious.

“If you can’t terminate the pregnancy, we’ll raise the child ourselves,” he said. “Don’t go looking for another man to be the father, especially one who’s broke. Are you sure he won’t be another Chen Yun, a viper who abandons you after taking your money?”

I nodded without hesitation.

“I’m sure.” Something about Lu Ming’s proposal felt right. I didn’t love him, and I wasn’t afraid of betrayal.

The next day, I told Lu Ming to meet my parents. I was prepared to reveal my true identity. But Lu Ming also brought his parents, who turned out to be the CEO and his wife of the Lu Corporation. Turns out, I wasn’t the only one hiding things.

Both sets of parents were shocked when they learned the truth. My parents exchanged a glance, and my father began to speak.

“You know our daughter’s situation. I think maybe this should be called off…”

Before he could finish, Lu Ming’s parents smiled and presented a pile of gifts.

“We know about the pregnancy,” Lu’s mother said awkwardly. “It’s… actually perfect! My son has some health issues, and he can’t have children. This is a perfect match.”

My parents and I were stunned. I looked at Lu Ming incredulously. He smiled, mouthing, “We’re perfect together.” I couldn’t help but smile.

Our wedding was quickly arranged. Lu Ming’s parents seemed very pleased. Lu’s father gave me 30% of Lu Corp’s shares as a dowry. Lu’s mother gave me a beautiful jade bracelet. But as she did, she apologized, “This bracelet is from an auction, I feel like it’s too simple. But don’t worry, Lu Ming’s grandmother left a much better bracelet for her granddaughter-in-law. It’s in a Swiss bank. Lu Ming will get it soon.”

My parents were also thrilled. They offered 40% of Su Corp’s shares as my dowry. The dinner was a joyful affair. Afterward, Lu Ming’s parents urged him to fly overseas to buy an engagement ring and pick up the bracelet. My parents rushed me off to choose a wedding dress.

I finally found one I liked. As I was about to pay, a woman’s voice cut through the air.

“I’ll take that dress.”

I turned to see Chen Yun and Han Xiaoxiao.

Han Xiaoxiao wore designer clothes, and Chen Yun carried several luxury shopping bags. It was clear they’d spent a fortune. Chen Yun had always been frugal. During our relationship, he was always careful with money and never bought me anything expensive.

He always told me, “Designer clothes and bags are frivolous. I don’t like materialistic girls. I know you’ll understand.”

But now he showered Han Xiaoxiao with expensive gifts. The bags alone must have cost $50,000. He wasn’t frugal; I just wasn’t worthy…

Han Xiaoxiao saw me watching and smirked, chin held high. She pouted at Chen Yun.

“Chen, I love this dress! Could you ask Qianqian to give it to me?”

Chen Yun smiled at Han Xiaoxiao.

“Of course.” Then, he looked at me with a sneer.

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t regret it? Now you’re here, looking for a wedding dress, like a dog? Trying to force me into marriage with your pregnant belly? It’s not going to happen. I’m only marrying Xiaoxiao!”

I chuckled.

“Don’t worry,” I said coldly, “We’re over. And I’m getting married soon. To someone else.”

He paused, then burst into laughter.

“Married? Hahahahaha! You’re delusional! What idiot would marry a pregnant woman?”

I ignored him and told the sales associate, “This is the dress I want. Here’s my card.”

The sales associate hesitated, then nodded. But Chen Yun stopped her.

“Wait.” He looked at me with disdain. “Did you see the price? This dress costs $100,000! A nobody like you can’t afford it. Even if you’re trying to force a wedding, you should at least choose a cheap dress.”

The sales associate looked at me suspiciously. Chen Yun raised his chin higher.

He handed his card to the associate. “Charge it to my card. I’ll take the dress.”

Han Xiaoxiao immediately told another associate, “My husband paid for it, let’s go try it on.”

I glanced at the dress Han Xiaoxiao was touching, feeling disgusted. I didn’t want it anymore. I took back my card.

“I don’t want the dress anymore. Give it to them.”

I turned to leave, but Han Xiaoxiao wouldn’t let me go. She grabbed my wrist, greed in her eyes.

“Chen, this bracelet is beautiful! I want it!”

Chen Yun looked at me, his eyes on my jade bracelet. His eyebrows rose.

“Xiaoxiao likes your bracelet, give it to her!”

I froze. His shamelessness had reached a new level.

“If you give Xiaoxiao the bracelet,” Chen Yun continued, “I’ll let you keep the baby. We’ll raise him together.”

A look of malice flashed in Han Xiaoxiao’s eyes. But her greed overwhelmed her. She reached for my bracelet.

“I agree, Qianqian. Give me the bracelet, and I’ll raise your child like my own.”

Before I could respond, she tried to snatch it.

I angrily flung her hand away.

“Get lost! You’re not getting my bracelet! And you’re certainly not raising my child!”

I tried to leave again, but Chen Yun grabbed me.

“Su Qianqian, who gave you the right to talk to Xiaoxiao like that? I want that bracelet! You’ll give it to me, whether you want to or not!”

He tried to take it. He was strong, and I was pregnant; I couldn’t fight back. None of the sales associates intervened.

I made a decision. I let him take the bracelet. Then, I slammed into him. The bracelet fell to the ground and shattered.

Han Xiaoxiao gasped.

“Chen, the bracelet’s broken!”

She looked at the pieces with heartbreak, as if it were hers. Chen Yun looked at me with disgust.

“Su Qianqian, if you’d just given her the bracelet, everything would be fine! Now it’s broken, and Xiaoxiao is upset. It’s all your fault! You’re so ungrateful!”

He grabbed Han Xiaoxiao’s hand and left.

I watched them go, a cold smile on my face. When they were gone, I called for the manager.

Three days later, Chen Yun’s company went public. I arrived, dressed to impress. He frowned.

“What are you doing here? I fired you!” he said. “If you want money, do it another way. Apologize to Xiaoxiao for the bracelet, buy her a new one, and I’ll take care of you and the baby.”

I didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

“Let me say it again,” I said coldly, “we’re over. We have nothing to do with each other. I’m here for another reason.”

He didn’t believe me.

“Su Qianqian, my company is going public, we both know why you’re here.” he said, “I’ll give you two thousand dollars a month for you and the child, now get out! The investors are arriving!”

He called security. But before they arrived, Han Xiaoxiao rushed in, panic in her eyes.

“Chen, it’s bad! Our biggest investor, Mr. Su, just called to pull out. All the other investors are pulling out too!”