Chapter 5 I'm Pregnant

Yvette and Victor moved gracefully across the dance floor, and Yvette gradually got used to the rhythm, her mood slowly relaxing.

But whether it was on purpose or just by chance, Victor led her closer to where Albert and Violet were dancing.

Yvette glanced up and saw Albert and Violet together again, and that familiar pang of bitterness hit her heart.

Albert noticed Yvette and Victor approaching from the corner of his eye and turned away, avoiding Yvette's gaze.

"Hey, Albert! Your dancing is terrible, like a wooden stick. Aren't real couples supposed to be more intimate?" Victor teased, keeping the rhythm.

"Annoying," Albert muttered, turning his back to Victor.

After one dance, Yvette felt awkward and made an excuse about not being good at dancing, quietly slipping back to the edge of the floor.

If Sylvia hadn't told her not to leave alone, she would have left already.

Soon, Sylvia returned from chatting with others, quickly downed a glass of juice, and pulled Yvette aside to whisper, "So, how was it? I told you Victor is amazing. He's tall, has a sunny smile, and is super considerate. Plus, he's got a good sense of humor and comes from a decent family."

"Oh, I'm sorry, but I'm not feeling well," Yvette replied, realizing that no matter how much sour juice she drank tonight, the queasy feeling in her stomach wouldn't go away.

"Sylvia, I think I should head home."

Yvette clung to Sylvia's arm, leaning against her.

Sylvia touched Yvette's forehead. "Are you sick? You haven't seemed right all day. You're not faking it to get out of the party, are you?"

"No, I think I ate something bad. I really don't feel well."

"Alright, I'll go with you. By the way, do you know what juicy gossip I just heard? Ask me, I'm dying to share."

"Uh, what? Year-end bonuses doubled? Or a tiered salary increase?"

"Come on, Yvette, since when did you become so obsessed with money? I heard that Albert proposed to Violet years ago and has been waiting for her to come back so they can get married."

"No way."

Yvette glanced at the three people chatting in another corner, feeling uncertain.

In truth, she had suspected it. After all, for the past two years, she had been Albert's secret lover. Every time she subtly brought up their relationship, Albert would grab his coat and leave.

Yvette had always been just a stand-in. It was better to realize it sooner. Even the best dreams must end.

Seeing Yvette's face grow paler, Sylvia stopped talking and escorted her out of the venue.

Watching Yvette leave, Victor signaled to Albert with his eyes. "See that girl? Not bad, right?"

"What are you planning?" Albert asked coldly.

"Nothing. She's interesting, and her friend has been trying to set us up. I was against it at first, but after spending some time with her tonight, I think she's nice. If she confesses to me next time, should I give her a chance?"

Albert said nothing, leaving only a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"Ugh!"

Yvette hunched over, gripping the edge of the sink, her body trembling from the violent vomiting.

Her stomach churned, as if trying to expel all her organs.

For the past few days, she had hoped it was just a stomach bug that would pass. But the nausea and vomiting only grew worse, showing no signs of easing.

With trembling hands, she picked up the fateful pregnancy test, biting her lip so hard it left faint teeth marks.

She closed her eyes, as if that could avoid the impending result. Taking a deep breath, she carefully dropped her urine into the test cup.

Time seemed to freeze, each second stretching into an eternity.

Soon, two bright red lines appeared on the test strip, glaring like the eyes of a demon, piercing her eyes.

Still in disbelief, Yvette shakily took out a whole pack of various pregnancy tests, testing one after another. But fate seemed sealed; every single one showed two lines.

As feared, the worst had happened. She was pregnant.

"What are you doing in there? Are you sick or what?" Yvette's mother, Lassie, called sharply from outside, her urgent knocking pounding on Yvette's fragile nerves.

"Mom, don't come in!"

Yvette shouted in panic, trying to rush over to lock the door, but her legs felt like lead.

Before she could act, Lassie pushed the door open with a bang.

Lassie's eyes immediately fell on the pile of pregnancy tests on the sink, widening in shock and anger.

"What is this? You don't even have a boyfriend! How are you pregnant? You haven't been messing around, have you?"

Lassie's voice trembled with rage, pointing at Yvette as if accusing a criminal.

"Yvette, how did I raise you? I was hoping you'd marry well and help your brother. Don't you know that girls who don't respect themselves can't find good husbands? Tell me, what have you been doing?"

Facing Lassie's storm of accusations, Yvette's heart felt like it was being pierced by countless needles. She fought back her tears, hurriedly shoving the pregnancy tests into a bag.

She smoothed her hair, trying to keep her voice steady. "I haven't been messing around. The baby's father is my boyfriend. We'll get married, so the baby won't be illegitimate. Don't worry."

"Let me tell you, don't bring home any random guy. If you're getting married, plan it properly. We can't afford the shame of you wearing a wedding dress with a big belly." Lassie's tone remained harsh, her face a mix of worry and disdain.

"Got it."

Yvette didn't want to argue anymore. She grabbed her bag and hurried out of the house.

Walking down the street, the cold wind cut her cheeks like knives, but it couldn't dispel her confusion and helplessness.

How would she explain this to Lassie?

Where would she find a boyfriend?

Yvette took out her phone, staring at Albert's number in her contacts, her finger hovering over the screen.

After much hesitation, she decided she had to tell him.

He had the right to know, even if he chose not to keep the baby.

Yvette didn't know how to start. After a long pause, she finally sent a text to Albert.

[I'm pregnant.]