“Mom, don’t flatter him!”
“Why? You’re about to get engaged to Johnny. We will be family soon!”
Tilda laughed heartily, thinking to herself that Johnny was quite impressive. He managed to change his image and win her parents’ hearts in such a short time. He really went all out. She shouldn’t doubt his sincerity. At this moment, Tilda felt an inexplicable shyness akin to a bride-to-be, though she couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason.
…
In the car, Johnny pressed his lips tightly together, remaining silent.
Caroline wisely stayed quiet as well, shrinking into her seat in the back and sneaking glances at Johnny’s profile.
The car drove for several kilometers, getting further from the city center before Caroline cautiously spoke up,
“Do you… want to see our child? It’s a daughter…”
“See my ass!” Johnny could no longer control himself. He slammed on the brakes and pulled up to the curb.
The area was remote with few people around, and it was dark with hardly any pedestrians passing by.
“Get out.”
His tone was harsh, and Caroline dared not disobey. She quickly opened the door and got out of the car.
Johnny lit a cigarette for himself, turning his face as he flicked the lighter. His jawline was sharply defined and strikingly handsome. This was why Caroline was reluctant to let go. Apart from being unreliable and unfaithful, he excelled in everything else-looks, height, family background, career, and even… sex.
After another long silence between them, Johnny lit his third cigarette before speaking in a deep voice, “How much do you want?”
“Do you think I’m here for money?”
“Are you hoping I’ll marry you? Dream on.”
“My family isn’t short of money either.” Although Caroline’s family wasn’t as wealthy as Johnny’s, they were still well-off in their social circle.
“Caroline.” Johnny tried to calm himself down and spoke to her in a steady voice, “Are you sure the child is mine?”
Her body trembled as she looked at him in shock. “You are the first man I had sex with…”
“I gave everything to you, and this is how you treat me? Do you know how difficult it was for me during pregnancy? I had to hide everywhere because I feared my parents would make me abort if they found out. I was also scared your friends would see me and tell you! Only when our daughter was born did I finally breathe a sigh of relief!”
Listening to her words made Johnny want to curse her for being crazy! It would have been better if she were still pregnant. That way, he could persuade her to get rid of the baby! But now that she had given birth, what else could he do?
“I don’t want to hear this. Just tell me what you want!” Johnny’s mind was in chaos.
“I want you to marry me so we can be together as a family,” Caroline directly stated her condition.
“Impossible!” Johnny raised his voice and glared at her. “I’m about to get engaged. I can’t fulfill your request.”
Caroline looked at him in consternation. “Are you saying you’ll hide the fact that we have a child from that woman?”
“This is my business! It has nothing to do with you!”
“Johnny, you’re truly despicable! If that woman finds out-”
Johnny suddenly turned around and strode toward her, grabbing her throat viciously. “If you dare let her know, I’ll make sure your family can’t survive in Northville City!”