The Paternity Puzzle

Martin was very dedicated to our IVF process.

Unfortunately, the first three attempts to cultivate the embryos ended in failure.

Linda began to stir up trouble, suspecting that Martin was sabotaging our efforts, not wanting us to have a child who could compete with him for the family inheritance.

Ray and I didn't take her suspicions seriously.

After all, Martin was Paul's biological son. It was only natural that he should inherit everything from the Davis family.

Moreover, Martin helped us without any reservations. We couldn't be ungrateful or greedy.

During the fourth attempt, Martin mentioned that Ray's sperm quality had deteriorated further, almost to the point of being azoospermia.

We didn't dare to hope.

Surprisingly, I became pregnant, with one out of two embryos surviving.

Upon hearing the news, everyone was overjoyed.

Martin immediately wanted to buy a house for the child in my womb as a gift from an uncle to his niece or nephew.

Ray, with a silly smile, kept touching my flat belly, calling out, "Baby, I'm your daddy!"

Linda, on the other hand, was grateful to God every day, and her prejudice against Martin lessened.

This pregnancy was hard-won, and everyone was very careful with me.

Linda racked her brain to prepare three meals for me every day, trying to make each meal different.

Ray's business became very busy, and he often had to travel.

So, Martin volunteered to take on the task of driving me to and from work and delivering meals to me every day.

He joked, "Since the hospital is invested in by our family, no one would dare to say anything even if I'm late or leave early!"

Thus, every lunchtime, my colleagues would praise Martin for his unwavering commitment to delivering meals to me.

I was also grateful for his kindness towards me.

When it was time for prenatal check-ups, considering the baby's age was still small, I wanted to go to the hospital alone.

Martin disagreed and insisted on accompanying me.

"Your condition is not very stable yet, and the hospital is crowded. What if you get bumped into halfway? Linda can't make it. I'm free now, so I can go with you!"

I stood there, thinking about how to refuse politely, but Martin didn't give me a chance.

He took the prenatal check-up form from my hand and walked forward without another word.

I could only smile at Linda and follow him.

At the hospital, the situation was extremely awkward, just as I had anticipated.

After waiting in line for half an hour, when it was my turn, I was about to sit down when Martin quickly took out a cushion from his bag and placed it on the stool.

The doctor who was examining me couldn't help but tease, "This dad is so nervous. Is this your first child?"

At that moment, embarrassment, speechlessness, and awkwardness all washed over me. I didn't know how to respond.

Martin, however, was very composed and could still chat and laugh with the doctor.

Fortunately, the doctor didn't dwell on the topic and began to ask about my pregnancy condition.

To my surprise, Martin answered the doctor's questions fluently, even more so than I did.

After the routine check-up, we went to the pharmacy to get the medication.

Martin, afraid that I would be tired, told me to sit aside and even brought out a box of cut fruit for me to snack on.

This action also led to other pregnant women nagging and complaining about their own husbands.

"Look at other people's husbands. What about you? You're not as good-looking or considerate as him. Useless!"

"Why are you still standing there? You should learn from him. Go buy a box of fruit for me! Your baby wants to eat!"

Seeing that they also misunderstood the relationship between Martin and me, I wanted to go forward and explain, but Martin held me back.

"Instead of wasting your breath on people who don't matter, you might as well use this time to do some prenatal education for the baby."

With that, he went straight to the line.

I sat uneasily under everyone's misunderstanding gaze.

Back home, I acted coquettishly with Linda, begging her to accompany me to the next prenatal check-up. Otherwise, it would lead to more misunderstandings.

At the dinner table, Linda tactfully conveyed my thoughts to Martin.

His face darkened. He put down his fork and left without finishing his meal, leaving Linda and me looking at each other in dismay.

Was Martin upset that I had rejected his kindness?

After dinner, Linda made plans to go out with friends and might not come home for the night.

Feeling physically exhausted, I went to bed early.

In my drowsy sleep, I smelled a strong scent of alcohol.

A gentle kiss landed squarely on my slightly rounded belly.

I thought it was Ray coming back from a social event and teasing me, so I didn't pay attention.

But when that deep, husky voice sounded, I jolted awake.