Three's A Crowd

After the memorial service ended, Charlotte posted an update online: [Gavin, thank you for giving me a love that belonged to me alone. In the next life, we'll be together again.]

The attached photo showed her standing on stage, mourning as if she were Gavin's widow. Behind her, "Sebastian" stood silently, a figure of steadfast protection.

The post went viral, instantly topping the hot search. Comments flooded in.

"What a perfect match. A pity the Holt family's heir passed away so young."

"How can a widow possibly stand firm in a wealthy household? Wouldn't it be better if the younger brother married her, fulfilling the elder brother's last wish?"

"You know, they really do look well-matched. If they got together, it would be a legendary love story in the elite circle."

Charlotte reposted the trending topic, then quickly "accidentally" deleted it, fanning the flames of speculation even further.

Perhaps noticing my pale expression after the memorial, "Sebastian" rushed home to explain.

"Emily, what happened today wasn't meant to exclude you. There were too many people at the service, and you're pregnant. I worried you'd be overlooked in the chaos. Please don't misunderstand."

He placed some expensive tonics in my room, then carefully instructed the housekeeper to take good care of me.

He had treated me this way before, with meticulous tenderness. But now, every gesture reeked of irony.

They refused to acknowledge me publicly, yet disguised it as concern for my well-being. Even these so-called gifts of apology weren't for me—they were to ensure the safe delivery of the child.

'Gavin, your performance is flawless,' I thought bitterly.

I forced a bitter smile. "It's fine. There were too many guests today. It makes sense for the Holt family to be cautious. Only… the comments online, don't you—"

A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes. "Gavin asked me to protect Charlotte. As long as she agrees, I'm willing to marry his widow."

A laugh slipped from me—sharp and hollow.

So this was their game. They were already deeply entwined, yet they were pretending their union was a noble sacrifice for the family.

'Gavin, how long do you intend to keep acting?'

But I no longer had the energy to expose them. Without the child, I had nothing left to tether me here.

Just before I entered the operating room, my phone rang. It was him.

I thought he had something urgent to tell me, but when I answered, the line filled with breathless gasps and the sounds of a body writhing under another's weight.

"Gavin, what if Emily refuses to leave after the baby is born?"

"Don't worry. By then, I'll have her thrown out. If not for the sake of giving the Holt family an heir, I wouldn't spare her a glance."

"That's perfect. I know you love me most."

The line dissolved into sultry moans. I hung up.

"Miss Steele," the doctor asked gently, "the baby is developing perfectly. Are you certain you want to terminate the pregnancy?"

"Yes," I said. "Begin the surgery."

If this child was destined to grow up in such poisonous schemes, then better it vanish before it could ever feel pain.

When it was over, I steadied myself against the wall as I left the hospital. Outside, Sebastian's car was waiting.

"Cordelia told me you were here. Are you unwell?" His anxious gaze darted to my stomach, terrified that something had happened to the baby.

"It's nothing. Just morning sickness. I asked the doctor for some medicine."

Relief washed over him, though a trace of guilt flitted across his face.

"Just now… my phone must have dialed you by mistake. You didn't hear anything, did you?"

"No," I lied smoothly. "The doctor took my phone as soon as I answered."

"Good. That's good." His shoulders finally relaxed. "Come home. I asked Cordelia to make your favorite dishes."

"Mm."

We rode in silence.

The moment we returned, Charlotte skipped over, looping her arms around his neck in delight.

"Sebastian, I picked a date for our wedding! Next weekend! Our fans online voted for that date. What do you think?"

He tapped her nose affectionately. "Sounds perfect. Whatever you want."

"But… isn't next weekend Emily's prenatal checkup?" Cordelia emerged from the kitchen, muttering under her breath. She had been with me since the beginning of my relationship with Gavin, and she naturally sided with me more than Charlotte.

Charlotte's face darkened instantly. "Sebastian, even your servant dares to speak over me. Clearly, this house has no place for me."

Pained, he drew her close and turned on Cordelia with a scolding glare. "This is none of your business. Leave us."

After Cordelia slipped away, he hesitated, then softened his tone toward me.

"Emily, I know your checkups were always accompanied by Gavin. But a wedding happens only once. I can't let Charlotte regret hers. Let Cordelia go with you this time, all right?"

I nodded obediently, pretending not to notice the triumph glittering in Charlotte's eyes.

'But Gavin, you don't yet know. I no longer need a checkup.'

He pulled her upstairs. The two of them murmured over wedding details, their laughter spilling down the staircase like a knife against my skin.

I picked up my phone and dialed Gavin's parents.

"Dad, Mom, Sebastian is getting married next weekend. And there's something I need to tell you."