CHapter 99 - Selfish

Yunfeng's heart was racing. Just five minutes ago, he had been nervously watching Muchen rummage through the fridge. He'd bitten his lips in worry, but there was a flicker of hope—a tiny smile playing on his lips. He'll love it. He loves me, doesn't he? He placed a trembling hand over his stomach, feeling the faintest swell. He has to.

Muchen returned, holding a small package. "Do you like sushi?" he asked, voice low, hands fumbling with the wrapping.

Yunfeng nodded, his throat dry. This wasn't how he had planned it, but he couldn't wait any longer. "I… I need to tell you something. About children," he whispered, barely audible.

Muchen froze for a second, then laughed—sharp and bitter. "I hate kids. Completely hate them, Yunfeng. They're annoying little gremlins with their snotty noses and poopy diapers. Ugh, they're a nightmare."

The words hit Yunfeng like a slap. His blood turned to ice. His heartbeat, which had been a loud, steady drumbeat of hope, faltered, almost stopping entirely. His hand instinctively moved to his stomach, his fingers tightening protectively. He stared at Muchen, his voice shaking. "I'm… I'm pregnant."

Muchen didn't flinch. Instead, he wrinkled his nose, his face twisting in disgust. "Disgusting," he muttered under his breath, shoving the sushi box toward Yunfeng. "Here. Eat this."

Yunfeng stared at the box. It felt like a cruel joke—like someone offering candy to a child after shoving them to the ground. His chest ached with a hollow pain that spread like wildfire.

Disgusting. He thinks I'm disgusting? The word echoed in his mind, louder and louder, until tears pricked his eyes. He tried to speak, but the lump in his throat choked the words. "I… I want to go home," he said finally, his voice trembling.

Without waiting for a response, Yunfeng bolted out of the apartment. His footsteps were quick and uneven, driven by the chaos in his heart. Why? Why is he like this?

At the elevator, he pressed the button repeatedly, desperate for an escape. His hands trembled as he clutched his stomach, his mind racing. Is it because he's bored of me? He thought about the dwindling texts, the coldness that had crept into their conversations ever since their scandal went public. Muchen had claimed he was protecting their privacy, but Yunfeng was beginning to think otherwise. Mom was right…

The elevator doors opened, and Yunfeng stepped inside, glancing back one last time. Muchen didn't follow. He didn't even call out. Tears blurred Yunfeng's vision as he slammed the "close" button. He doesn't care. He doesn't even care enough to stop me. Maybe all I was to him was a fling… a mistake.

By the time he reached the street, the tears were flowing freely. He wiped at his face furiously, but it was no use. His heart ached so much it felt like it might burst. A cab was waiting by the corner, and Yunfeng practically threw himself inside, mumbling an address to the driver. Once inside, he collapsed against the seat, pressing his hands to his face.

"Why does he hate kids so much?" he muttered, his voice cracking. His hand moved to his stomach, trembling. "And what about… this child? What if he—" His breath caught, a new fear gripping him. What if he wants me to get rid of it?

A cold shiver ran down his spine, making his entire body tense. He wrapped his arms around himself, curling into the corner of the backseat as tears streamed down his face. "No," he whispered to himself. "He wouldn't. He wouldn't ask me to do that. He loves me. He loves me…"

Yunfeng didn't even remember how he got home. His legs felt numb, his mind clouded by the sting of Muchen's words. He handed the driver some money and stumbled out of the cab, his face still streaked with tears. The cold air bit at his cheeks, but he barely noticed. All he wanted was to collapse into the safety of his home.

But just outside the door, he froze. Standing there was Hana, her face bruised and swollen, her hair a tangled mess as if she'd been in a fight. Beside her was their mother, worry etched into every line on her face.

"Yunfeng!" His mother rushed toward him, cupping his face in her hands. "What happened, baby? Why are you crying?"

Her touch was warm, comforting, and Yunfeng couldn't hold it in anymore. Without a word, he leaned into her shoulder, burying his face in the crook of her neck. The dam inside him broke, and silent tears flowed freely. He didn't have the strength to explain. How could he tell her that the person he loved had rejected their child? That the man he'd built his dreams around had shattered them with a single word?

His mother wrapped her arms around him and gently guided him inside. "Come on, let's get you warm."

Hana trailed behind them, her head bowed. Yunfeng forced himself to take a deep breath and pull himself together. He couldn't let his family see him like this for long. As his mother busied herself in the kitchen, he mustered a weak smile and turned to Hana. "Did a raccoon do that to your face?" he asked, his voice cracking with a forced chuckle.

Hana scoffed, folding her arms. "A bitch did."

"Hana!" Their mother's voice rang out from the kitchen. "Watch your language. Both of you, sit down. I'll bring some hot water."

Once their mother disappeared into the kitchen, Yunfeng studied Hana's face more closely. The bruise on her cheek looked fresh, and there were faint scratches along her jawline. He leaned forward, concern etched on his face. "What happened? Did someone hurt you? Tell me who it is—I'll deal with them."

Hana chuckled bitterly. "Don't worry about it. I already handled her. That bitch dared to run her mouth, so I put her in her place." Her teeth clenched, and her hands balled into fists. "Her claws did this to my hair, though." She ran her fingers through her disheveled locks, wincing slightly.

Yunfeng frowned. Hana wasn't the type to pick fights. She was calm and composed, always choosing her battles wisely. For her to resort to violence… it had to be something serious. "What did she say?" he asked softly, lowering his voice so their mother wouldn't overhear.

Hana hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. "It's nothing."

"Hana." His voice was firmer now, though still gentle. "You can tell me anything."

With a heavy sigh, Hana leaned back against the sofa, her arms crossed. "She was talking about you, okay? Saying horrible things… calling you names, calling us names. I couldn't just stand there and take it."

Yunfeng's chest tightened. His lips trembled as he tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat. Hana had fought for him—for their family—because of the fallout from his relationship with Muchen. Their mother's shop had been closed for days, unable to withstand the whispers and pointed fingers. Now, even Hana was being dragged into the mess, facing bullying at school because of him.

His fists clenched on his lap. It's all my fault, he thought bitterly. If I hadn't been so selfish… if I hadn't clung to Muchen, they wouldn't have to go through this. Mom wouldn't have to shut down her shop. Hana wouldn't have to fight. I brought this on them.

The weight of it all pressed down on him, suffocating him. He tried to blink away the tears, but they kept coming. "Hana… I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Hana glanced at him, her expression softening. "Don't apologize. None of this is your fault. I can handle a few idiots. Don't let them get to you."

But Yunfeng couldn't shake the guilt. He'd dragged his family into a storm they hadn't asked for, and now he was bringing a child into this chaos. What kind of life will this baby have if their own father doesn't want them? The thought made his stomach churn.

Their mother returned with a bowl of steaming water and a cloth, breaking the silence. "Here, let me clean you up," she said gently, dabbing at her daughter's bruises.

Yunfeng watched them, his heart aching. He didn't deserve their love and support—not when all he'd brought them was pain.