When My Boyfriend's Wife Got Pregnant, I Stepped Down

After the engagement party, Mark's mother, to compensate me, gifted me a whole set of gold accessories.

I accepted them all with a wide smile, calling her "Mom" with every word.

Emily hadn't come looking for me again, and Mark had been coming home straight after work to cook for me, diligently playing the role of a good husband.

It seemed like everyone had forgotten what happened that day.

I'm not the kind of person who likes to stir up trouble. Since everyone wanted to gloss over things, I was happy to play along.

On Qingming Festival, Mark wanted to take me to visit his grandfather's grave.

I declined, using the excuse that I needed to visit my own family's graves.

I opened the safe, inside was a plain white dress.

To keep fitting into this dress, I not only hit the gym regularly but even watched my food intake carefully.

Mark once teased me, saying I was like a finely tuned machine.

Driving past a flower shop, I bought a bouquet of red roses and headed to the cemetery.

I made my way effortlessly to a particular tombstone. Here lay my lover, Dave.

I placed the flowers in front of his grave. He still smiled, as always, his dimples faintly visible at the corners of his mouth.

I stroked his photo. Unknowingly, it had already been five years since he left me.

"Dave, look at this white dress you gave me. It's still beautiful, even after five years."

I lifted the hem of the dress and showed it to him.

He continued to silently watch me, without words or praise.

I stopped, and the excitement that had raised the corners of my mouth slowly faded.

"It's been five years, and you haven't appeared in my dreams even once. You were always like this, too responsible. I bet you think now that I'm getting married, you should stay away, huh?"

Saying this, I felt my eyes heat up, tears threatening to fall.

"Just wait a little longer. I'll be joining you soon. Don't get annoyed with me when that time comes!"

My phone rang from my pocket. The moment I answered, Andy Jones' voice came through.

"The old man isn't going to make it. Hurry to the hospital."

"Wait until he dies. I'm busy right now."

"If you don't come, I promise your little lover's grave will disappear without a trace by tomorrow."

I bit down hard on my lower lip, letting the blood drip onto the white dress.

After hanging up, Andy sent the hospital's address to my phone.

I smirked and finally gave in.

Following the directions, I found the VIP ward.

I pushed open the door, only to find Andy inside.

I walked past him to the old man's bedside. He slowly opened his eyes, his voice hoarse, his lips trembling.

"Jessica!"

Andy stood up and offered me his seat. I glared at him but didn't sit.

The old man shakily reached for my hand, wanting to hold it.

"Let's not pretend. Tell me, why did you call me here?"

Impatient, I took a step back to avoid his affectionate gesture.

"It's been so long, and you still can't forgive me, can you?"

His words made me laugh. "Forgiveness? When I knelt and begged you not to push Dave to the brink, what did you do? You spread the video of him being bullied in high school online! You called him filthy and said he wasn't worthy of the Jones family!"

My eyes burned as I stared at the man lying in the bed, but Andy stopped me before I could continue.

I turned and left the room, sitting on a bench outside the ward.

Andy sighed and sat next to me.

"How are things with Mark?"

"You already know, don't you? Want to see me make a fool of myself?"

Andy stiffened, then reached out to pat my head.

"Jessica, no matter what, I'm your brother. If you're ever wronged, tell me."

I swatted his hand away and nodded perfunctorily.

I had never considered introducing Mark to my family. After all, besides my mother who died early, I had no relatives left.

Now, I'm nothing but an orphan.