Chapter 20

“Will your parents be okay with this?” Lea asked again when she heard nothing from William.

William could only stare at her as a reply. Of course, his parents would oppose such a thing. But, it was not the biggest problem. As long as he kept this a secret, nothing bad would happen. Oh, no! Looked like, this time, he couldn’t make sure that everything would turn out fine.

“Ehm, about that ...,” William stopped, looking away from Lea, “we can figure it out later, okay? Let’s go home first.”

Knowing the uncertainty crossed William’s handsome face, Lea got even more anxious.

“William, I have to go. It’s my fate! Trust me I’ll be fine-”

“Lea, please!” William snapped, stopping Lea’s words. “Why are you being so stubborn? Your mom is sick. Who do you think will take good care of her? And, how about your sisters? Are you sure you can make good money outside? In your current condition?”

Lea’s eyes popped out, looking at William in disbelief. A moment ago, she almost felt offended. She didn’t want anyone to belittle her like that. However, she realized that everything he said was nothing but the truth.

.....

Lea gulped, her mouth left open. “You are correct. I am preggers ... and broke on top of it,” she whispered in a very low tone.

Looking at Lea’s sad face, William felt guilty. “Lea, sorry, I was wrong. I know you will make a decent living in Tokyo, but lemme help you, please! I believe it will be easier for you to stay.”

Lea shook her head, sobbing. She wiped the tears with her hand although it looked like the tears would never stop.

William tried to find a handkerchief but he couldn’t find one. Then, he had no choice but to bring Lea to his embrace. He hugged her tightly and let her cry in his broad chest.

On the other hand, Lea didn’t shove William away although she wanted to do it. Her body was shaking as she buried her face in his chest.

Without hesitation, William stroked Lea’s head, trying to soothe her pain. “Lea, I know I am a jerk. I lied to you about me and Paula,” William stopped in the middle, “But, please lemme help you ... babe.”

Lea wanted to say don’t-babe-me-anymore, but she couldn’t bring her mouth to say it. William’s embrace was so comforting. It was something she needed the most.

“William!” Suddenly, a familiar middle-aged man’s voice shouted, startling Lea and William.

They turned in the direction of the voice and found William’s parents coming over. Their faces were frantic, especially his mother’s.

“Both of you, let’s go home with us! We’ll have a good talk at home, okay?” William’s mother said firmly, though she looked nervous. She seemed afraid of missing something.

Although a little bit astonished, William complied. Meanwhile, even more confused, Lea couldn’t do anything because she was forced to come along.

Arriving at William’s parent’s house and everyone was sitting quietly on the couch in the living room, Alex-William’s father-opened the conversation. “Lisa and I ...,” Alex stopped, clearing his throat, “We decided to bless your relationship.”

“Eh?” Reflexively, William and Lea were surprised by the change in the attitude of William’s parents. Both of them would be happy if their parents said the same thing in the past. However, everything was different. It was complicated.

“I understand that both of you were surprised. Why do we suddenly change? However, Paula visited us this morning and made us realize our mistake,” Lisa explained curtly.

“Right. Paula made us understand that nothing is important to us but your happiness,” Alex added while wiping his sweaty forehead. “Besides, you two are going to have kids soon, right? How nice it is that you two get married sooner.”

William and Lea froze. They did not expect their parental approval to come at the wrong time like this. If only a month earlier, surely this would be very happy for everyone.

Now, the two of them had to think about whether to accept this or not. Although deep down in their hearts, there was a bit of joy because the two of them could be together in the end. Wasn’t this the best choice?

After all, this all happened because of a misunderstanding. Could William and Lea keep lying that this baby was their child? Could they use this baby for their happiness? Wasn’t that too selfish?

However, this could be the right solution. William and Lea would achieve their goal. Lea didn’t need to run away to Tokyo because the baby would have a father-not the real one. There would be no broken engagement because of the baby in Lea’s womb. She could hide this fact from the baby’s father and fiancée.

Unfortunately, when Lea turned to William, she didn’t get the expression she was looking for there. Lea hoped that William would be happy and willing to be the father of her baby.

“So Paula said that?” William asked with a gloomy face without looking at anyone. A hidden pain and anger flashed through his emerald eyes.

“Yes, she was,” his mother answered.

Lea’s heart throbbed when she saw William’s jaw clenched, looking cold and stiff. His expression looked miserable as if he was wounded, feeling abandoned.

“Did she say that?” liked a fool, William murmured to himself.

William couldn’t believe what was going through Paula’s head right now. He was too sure that Paula would trust him-one hundred percent-that he would never have sex with any woman other than his wife.

Paula had just one-sidedly dumped William, making him hurt in some way. Even William didn’t know why he felt the pain right now.

***

Meanwhile, at Paula’s parent residence, the woman told her father everything. She already made her determination. Her father tried to understand her good intentions. The father knew that his daughter was trying to get happiness her way.

“Are you sure about this decision?” Robert-Paula’s father-asked his daughter.

“Of course! You should put your faith in me too. You have to know that I am tough and strong.” With a forced smile, Paula tried to calm her father down so as not to worry about her broken marriage.

“But, won’t you regret it later? You ... love William, no?” Robert asked. His dark brown orbs penetrated through Paula’s.

Even without Paula telling him, Robert knew what was happening in his daughter’s head. Paula’s silence already explained everything.

“The only thing I want is his happiness, dad!” Paula gulped, swallowing the bitter pill life gave her. “That’s what you do if you sincerely love someone, no?”