She is not expecting my child.

His heart was filled with warmth when he heard his wife's answer, and using a sickeningly gentle tone, he inquired. "What explanation do you want me to offer, then?"

That stern look on her face did not fade. Instead, she pouted in displeasure and insisted on getting an explanation from him. "She couldn't possibly get pregnant on her own, could she? Are you telling me that she's conceived a ghost child?"

He suddenly pulled her into his arms.

The woman put up a fierce struggle at first, pushing and pummeling his chest with her little fists, but it was all to no avail. Her punches were no more than tickles to him, and he easily restrained her by stretching his hand. Sensing that she was about to fly into a rage, he said, "That child in her stomach isn't mine."

"What?"

Her eyes bulged wide open in astonishment.

He broke into laughter. "You heard it loud and clear."

"How's that possible? If not yours, then whose?"