Chapter 6%
Brynn personally prepared a room for him, handling every detail with care.
I remained silent, packing my things bit by bit, sending them back to my original home while also scheduling an abortion appointment for three days later.
I hadn’t even figured out what excuse to use for suggesting separate bedrooms, but Brynn had already, without hesitation, settled into Solomon’s room.”
Watching him act like such a devoted father, my heart turned cold from the sting of it.%
In my mind, this was the man Brynn would become once I had a child. But now, the love he was giving wasn’t for my child; it was for someone else’s..
That night, Solomon suddenly cried. His sharp wails echoed in my ears, one after another.”
I had already been sleeping lightly because of the pregnancy. Hearing Solomon’s cries for his mom, I couldn’t help but wonder if Sylvie would be moving in soon.
Sure enough, within days, Sylvie appeared.”
She stood at the living room entrance, two suitcases in hand, her voice soft.
“Sister, brother, I’ve been looking for a job in the city. Can I stay here for a while?”
Brynn frowned, a hint of irritation crossing his face, but he still replied, “You’re so hopeless. Can’t even figure out how to rent a place. Ask your sister, if she agrees, I won’t object.”
Preplied with an empty look, my voice flat: “Do as you wish. Stay as long as you like.”
After all, once my surgery was over, I’d be gone.”
Brynn noticed something was wrong with me and, with concern, wrapped his arm around me. He asked softly, “Honey, what’s wrong? Why do you look so pale? If you don’t want her here, I’ll ask her to leave.”
1 replied in a low voice, “After all, she’s the real lady of the house.”
“What?” Brynn didn’t catch that.
I shook my head.
He was about to speak again, but then Sylvie tripped while tidying up.
His face shifted instantly. He let go of me and rushed over to help her, lifting her carefully and placing her on the sofa before scolding her sharply, “How are you still so clumsy? You’re going to be a mother soon!”
Sylvie pouted, tapping her head playfully, “I’m just silly; I can’t do anything without you. Not like a sister; she’s so mature.”%
Her eyes flickered in my direction, laced with challenge.
I smiled faintly, turning away and retreating to my room; just the sight of it made me want to gag./
It was clear now that Sylvie was steadily embedding herself into Brynn’s life, using the child as a clever excuse, step by step./ She was pushing me out, and I was letting her.
I wouldn’t fight for a man like some discarded concubine.
The next day, just as my morning sickness had subsided, I sank onto the sofa to rest while Sylvie was in the kitchen.
Suddenly, Solomon came running over, his small hands clutching a transparent box, his eyes sparkling with excitement:>>
“Auntie, Auntie! Come see my new friend!“%
When I opened my eyes and saw the box, my heart seemed to stop.
Inside wriggled a small snake, no longer than a thumb.
I recoiled instinctively, my voice trembling with panic. “Take it away! Take it away!”
Solomon gazed at me with pleading eyes, his voice soft, “It won’t bite; it’s my favorite pet.“))
I shook my head, trembling uncontrollably. “Take it away!”
Brynn strolled over, glanced at the box, then looked at me, his tone flat, “Seriously? It’s just a toy snake. It’s captive–bred, non–venomous.” Tm afraid of snakes.” I choked, my words heavy.&
“You know I was bitten by one as a child. I had a high fever and almost died. I’ve had a trauma ever since.“%
He frowned, his patience thinning. “It’s just a little snake. I’ll put it away, okay? Are you this scared? Isn’t that a bit much?”
1 froze
The man who had once shielded me from everything and always asked me if I was afraid now spoke to me with such impatience.
It suddenly struck me as absurd
“So now I have to learn to accept what I fear most, too, is that it?“%
