At the wedding rehearsal, my fiancée, Aurora, suddenly retched. Her adoptive brother, Julian, frantic, swept her into his arms and rushed her to the hospital. Half an hour later, my phone rang. Her voice, chillingly calm, spoke through the receiver: "I'm pregnant." My heart soared with a surge of unexpected hope, only to shatter as she continued, "It's Julian's… after his breakup, he was drenched and heartbroken, and I simply offered comfort. I never imagined it would lead to this…" "We have to keep this from Mom and Dad. Julian will stay here to help me, and we'll tell them after the baby arrives." "The wedding will be postponed for a year. You go explain and apologize to the guests." My throat tightened, no words surfacing for a long moment. She pressed on, "You need to quit your job immediately. I don't want any accidents these next few months. Julian's career is on the rise; he can't be distracted caring for me." A bitter laugh escaped me. "Fine," I heard myself say. She sounded satisfied as she hung up, unaware I had a wager with someone else: if I wasn't married by my thirtieth birthday, I'd marry her. And today, was my thirtieth birthday. Perhaps my calm was too unsettling. Three seconds after she hung up, Aurora called again. "Ethan, I'm so sorry. I know I made a mistake first. But believe me, I only see him as my brother. The baby really was an accident." I gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Right. Such profound sibling affection, warming each other right into bed. Truly touching." The line was silent for a beat. She sighed, a weary sound. "I understand if you're angry, but Julian is an orphan. The Hayes family would disown him if they knew." "So I hope you'll claim the child. If you quit your job and stay home, no one will suspect it's not yours." I tilted my head back, forcing back the burning in my eyes. "Aurora," I said, my voice dry, "let's not get married." "Not get married?" She was silent for a few seconds, then roared, "Ethan Vance, are you insane?! Didn't you say we'd been together for five years and needed to get married soon?" "The entire social circle knows you're my fiancé! Are you treating marriage like a game? Since when have you been so reckless?" I could picture her brows furrowing. Sure enough, her next words were a threat: "Mr. Thorne, I'm asking you one last time! Are you really not going through with this wedding?!" I clutched my phone, a bitter smile twisting my lips. "Yes, I don't want you anymore, Aurora." She scoffed. "I don't have time for your childish tantrums. Do whatever you want!" The call was violently disconnected. I stood in the center of the banquet hall. Under the astonished gazes of the guests, I ripped off my boutonnière and bolted out. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes quickly intercepted me. Mr. Hayes preempted me, "Ethan Vance, what's gotten into you? Just because her brother took her to the hospital, you're going to ruin the wedding? Make the hundreds of guests laugh at the Hayes family?" Mrs. Hayes sneered, "I always said it wasn't a good match. Our family, with its distinguished academic lineage, and your family, nothing but new money. It was never a proper pairing." She added with a huff, "My daughter insisted, so I couldn't do anything. See, now everyone's laughing at us!" Mr. Hayes chuckled coldly, "Good! It’s better he doesn’t marry her. Saves us from his temper offending people and ruining the Hayes name." They blamed me, despite Aurora being the one in the wrong. I clutched the crumpled boutonnière, my fingertips trembling. "Your daughter canceled the wedding. As for the reason… you two should ask her. I’m too embarrassed to say." Hearing it was Aurora’s decision, they actually became more indignant. "Even if my daughter canceled, you, as the groom, just run off without a word? Shouldn't you apologize face-to-face?" Mrs. Hayes scoffed, "How were your parents raising you? You don't even understand basic social graces. How could you be a Hayes son-in-law?" I took a deep breath. "I will not marry Aurora. If you two are done, please move." "You!" Their faces contorted in shock, clearly not expecting such defiance from the usually docile me. I ignored them, striding directly to the dressing room. A bespoke gown draped her familiar silhouette. Under the lights, the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her exhaustion. Seeing me, she approached gracefully, that sweet, practiced smile on her lips. I turned my face away. "Didn't someone swear they'd never attend my wedding?" She suddenly leaned closer, her warm breath brushing my ear. Our eyes met, and for a moment, I saw the stubborn girl from ten years ago. "Ethan Vance, a bet's a bet." My lips thinned, unspoken. She grew anxious. "You forgot?!" "I don't care. We're getting married in three days. If you don't show up…" She paused, "I'll come to the Thorne family and claim you!" With that, as if afraid to hear a refusal, she swiftly slipped out the door. I suddenly laughed aloud. That fool. Of course, I remembered the bet. Our families were old friends, and we grew up together. Too familiar, perhaps, to become lovers. Ten years ago, she confessed her feelings for me, but I only saw her as a friend. She was hurt, and insisted on a wager. Now, it seemed, I had finally lost. 2 The moment I changed out of my wedding attire, Aurora sent me a photo. All my belongings were piled outside the villa gate like trash. The wedding quilt my mom had painstakingly sewn was the most glaring, stuffed carelessly into a clear plastic bag, its vivid crimson silk hurting my eyes in the sunlight. "Come pick it up immediately!" "If you don't, I'll tell Mrs. Davis to throw it away." I stared at the screen, my fingertips growing cold. She knew exactly how to manipulate me. Other things I could discard, but that quilt had to come back. "Fine. I'm coming." That quilt, my mom had spent three months on it. A woman who never touched a needle and thread, her fingers had been pricked and dotted with blood. On the night before the wedding, she had smiled, handing me the quilt. "My son, may you be happy your whole life." But when I arrived, the doorway was empty. Just half an hour. I’d told her I was coming. Was she really that eager to kick me out? Fury surged. I shoved open the villa gate and stormed inside. The next second, I was plunged into ice. Aurora sat on the edge of the dining table, Julian’s hands resting on her waist, his cheek pressed to her slightly rounded belly, his eyes impossibly tender, blindingly so. "Aurora," Julian suddenly whispered, "the baby kicked me." Aurora’s lips curved into a smile I had never seen, her gaze so soft it seemed to drip with emotion. "So mischievous, just like you were when you were little. If only his eyes could be like yours too." Julian smiled, his lips pressed together. Aurora leaned in, placing a familiar kiss on his lips. Her voice suddenly filled with remorse. "Are you really sure you want to leave once the baby is born? Actually… you could stay and help me care for the baby. A child so young, how could he not have his birth father?" Julian raised his index finger, pressing it gently to her lips, and shook his head. "Aurora, if I don't leave, what about your husband?" At the mention of "husband," Aurora visibly stiffened, then her expression darkened. "Him? He's just throwing a tantrum saying he wants to break up. Once the baby’s born, won’t he come begging me to help with childcare? A man from a merchant family like that, all he cares about is profit, what dignity does he have?" "Have you forgotten how desperate he was to be my boyfriend? That sickening, eager look… even now, thinking about it makes me sick." My tears fell silently. So, my confession, offered with such courage all those years ago, had sickened her for so long. The Hayes family was the premier family of calligraphers in Maplewood City. Aurora was its youngest renowned master calligrapher. Five years ago, she came to my father with a handwritten proposal, seeking investment for the Hayes Calligraphy Institute. My father praised her endlessly, specifically introducing her to me. I fell for her instantly, shamelessly insisting she teach me calligraphy. She was furious, pointing at me and scolding, "You're clumsy! No talent at all!" I, ever the charmer, grinned, "Then be my girlfriend, we'd balance each other out perfectly, wouldn't we?" She glanced at Julian, who was hunched over his writing, then suddenly clasped my hand, a self-deprecating laugh escaping her. "Fine." I was so thrilled I hugged her, completely missing Julian’s hurried exit, and her momentary rigidity. Now I understood. Her heart had always belonged to Julian. No wonder she later refused to teach me calligraphy, or even let me into her study. My chest ached. I wanted to turn and leave, but then I remembered the wedding quilt my mom had sewn – it couldn't be left behind. "Ethan Vance!" Aurora suddenly spun around, a sneer twisting her lips. "What are you doing, lurking at the door? I told you, all your things were thrown out. Regretting it now?" I dug my nails into my palms. "Where's my wedding quilt? Give it back." She paused, her face growing colder. "A tattered old quilt, why would I care about that?" "My mom sewed it herself," my voice began to tremble. "Give it back, and I'll leave immediately." Seeing I was on the verge of tears, she frowned. "You're crying? Are you insane? Is it really that big of a deal?" "Yes! It is!" I roared, and the tears finally broke free. 3 Aurora ran a frustrated hand through her hair, looking as if she wanted to speak but couldn't. Julian, by her side, suddenly seemed to remember something, speaking quickly. "Ethan, don't yell at Aurora. I told the staff to put your things in the guest room." He said, gently caressing Aurora’s slightly swollen belly, his eyes instantly turning red. "Ethan, please don't move out. If it's because of this child… I… I can convince Aurora to terminate the pregnancy. His arrival was a mistake anyway. None of you welcome him…" He broke off, dissolving into choked sobs before finishing his sentence. "I forbid it!" Aurora’s voice was almost out of control, as she trembled and leaned into Julian's embrace, glaring fiercely at me. "He can leave if he wants, but he won't touch my child! You and the baby are my everything now!" "Ethan Vance, if that’s why you came here, then get out!" I scoffed, walking directly to the guest room. The wedding quilt lay carelessly on the floor, stained with grime and cigarette burns. The intricate phoenix and dragon embroidery was now disgustingly soiled. My fingers trembled as I pointed to the quilt. "Julian, explain this!" He cringed, shrinking his neck. "I didn't mean to. I just thought it was unwanted trash." He made to bend down to pick it up. "Ethan, please don't be angry. I'll help you wash it clean." As he leaned down, Aurora suddenly lunged forward, shoving me violently to the ground. "Julian, don't wash it! Don't dirty your hands!" My head slammed hard against the bed frame. Excruciating pain exploded, and a warm liquid immediately trickled down my temple. I bit my lip, silent, only smiling as I looked at Aurora, trying to see if she had any heart left. She clung to Julian, her eyes cold, filled with extreme disgust. "How much money? I'll pay! I'm begging you, stop causing trouble. Do you feel a sense of accomplishment by tormenting me and my brother with such insignificant trinkets?" My chest felt like it had been ripped open. She had always been distant with me, but never had she looked at me with such utter contempt. Now, she must truly hate me. Suddenly, it all felt pointless. Why bother to stay and annoy her further? I surrendered. The wedding quilt was dirty. I didn't want it anymore. This soiled woman, I didn't want her either. I pushed myself up. "Aurora, I don't lack money." As I turned to leave, she suddenly grabbed my arm, a hint of helplessness in her expression. "You're upset today. Go back to the Thorne family and calm down for a few days. I'll pick you up in three days." I shook off her hand and quickly left. This home, which we had built for years, I was ultimately just a passerby.
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