After I got pregnant, I made up an excuse to break up with Ethan, successfully pulling off my "keep the baby, ditch the dad" plan.

Two years later, pushing my kid out for some sun, I bumped into Ethan right at the entrance of my complex.

We stared at each other, horrified, and blurted out at the same time:

"You already had a kid with someone else?!"

"Are you here to take my baby?!"

1

"Ava, honey, remember to take little Leo out for some sunshine every day. Don't just stay cooped up inside, okay?"

"Got it, Mom. We'll head out in a bit."

Hanging up, I looked at the little guy who had just made a huge mess on the bed and was now giggling at me. I was torn between exasperation and adoration.

Even though he's my own flesh and blood, it doesn't stop me from being grossed out by his... output.

Mask on, I struggled to clean up the disaster zone. It took two exhausting hours.

Usually, my mom and the nanny handle most of his care. But the nanny’s off for a few days, and Mom went on a trip with her friends, leaving me solely responsible for the little rascal.

It’s genuinely exhausting and soul-crushing. If he wasn't so darn cute, I'd seriously consider stuffing him back where he came from.

Just before sunset, I pushed Leo in his stroller, planning a walk in the nearby park, but I spotted a familiar figure at the complex gate.

His profile… looked an awful lot like Leo's biological father…

As if sensing my gaze, the man turned. Our eyes met, and simultaneous panic flashed across both our faces. We spoke at the exact same moment—

"You already had a kid with someone else?!"

"Are you here to take my baby?!"

After the outburst, we both stood there, momentarily bewildered.

Ethan tilted his head, confused. "Take… the baby?"

Okay, looks like he still doesn't know Leo is his.

My mind raced. Playing it cool, I said, "Sorry, I guess motherhood's made me a bit paranoid. Uh, fancy seeing you here. What brings you around?"

Disappointment washed over Ethan's face, but he quickly schooled his features. "It's not fancy," he said gravely. "I came looking for you specifically."

"Looking for me? What's up?"

Ethan's gaze dropped to Leo in the stroller. He stared for a long moment before speaking, his voice tinged with resentment, "Ava, this kid… looks like he's about a year old, lengthwise."

...Who judges age by length?!

I thought he was starting to suspect the truth. My heart hammered again. I gave a vague answer, "Uh, yeah, around that."

Ethan looked even more hurt, clenching his fists, his eyes filled with accusation and sadness. "So, you mean right after we broke up, you immediately turned around, married someone else, and had a baby?!"

Whew, scared me to death. He hadn't figured it out. Good thing Leo takes after me more.

I had no idea why Ethan suddenly showed up. I figured after two years, he would have moved on. But judging by his reaction, maybe not…

In this situation, I should probably be ruthless to cut ties cleanly. But remembering I technically "stole" his genetic material made me feel a pang of guilt. I couldn't bring myself to twist the knife further.

I assumed his pain and anger stemmed from me moving on so quickly. So, I offered a white lie, "Well, not exactly… it was a little while after we split."

Ethan's eyes reddened. He shook his head in disappointment, murmuring as if to himself, "I thought… I thought you wouldn't get married easily. Turns out, you just didn't want to marry me."

No, I genuinely don't plan on marrying anyone, I answered silently in my head.

Ethan looked at me, wanting to say more, his eyes swirling with unspoken emotions.

Two years apart had matured the shy, boyish college kid considerably. His thoughts were no longer so easy to read.

My pulse quickened under his silent scrutiny. But in the end, he said nothing, just turned and walked away, looking utterly dejected.

2

I watched his retreating back with mixed feelings. Just then, Leo started crying, almost as if sensing his biological dad leaving.

I quickly knelt to soothe him. At the same time, my work phone rang. An emergency at the office required me back immediately.

Patiently, I explained to my employee that I couldn't just leave, that I needed at least a day or half a day to arrange childcare for Leo. But they kept urging me frantically, acting like the sky would fall if I didn't rush back that second.

Coupled with Leo's wailing, my temper flared. "Doesn't the company have anyone else who can handle an emergency?! Is the whole place going to collapse if I don't show up today?!"

My outburst silenced the employee. Leo, however, cried even harder.

Taking a deep breath, I softened my tone. "Give me some time to sort out childcare. I'll get there as soon as I can."

While comforting Leo, I started calling friends, trying to find someone trustworthy to watch him for a bit.

But it seemed like bad luck was following me today. Everyone I trusted was either out of town or had important commitments. My anxiety spiked.

"Where's your husband?"

A voice suddenly spoke from behind me, making me jump. Turning around, I saw Ethan. He’d somehow reappeared.

"Still need something?" I countered, avoiding his question.

Ethan glanced at Leo, frowning. "Why are you dealing with this alone? Why isn't his dad helping?"

I shot him a silent look, speechless.

Ethan, bless his high-quality genes, was incredibly decent. Even after being hurt by me, the "heartless woman," he couldn't stand seeing me struggle. Assuming my non-existent husband was slacking off, he reached for my phone, intending to call him.

Panic seized me. I quickly clamped down on his hand, blurting out a lie, "My husband's on a business trip overseas. He can't help right now."

Ethan eyed me skeptically. "So what are you going to do? Don't you have to get to the office?"

It was definitely tricky, but…

Suddenly, I realized Leo had stopped crying. I looked down. The little guy was sucking his thumb, eyes wide and round, staring intently at Ethan.

My gaze flickered between the two of them. Then, swallowing my pride, I asked Ethan, "Hey, um, if you're not busy, could you maybe watch him for me? Just for half a day? I'll be back tonight!"

Ethan looked genuinely stunned by my audacity. "You want me to watch your kid with another man?! Ava, how could you humiliate me like this?!"

"Fine, if you don't want to—"

Ethan suddenly held out his hand.

I tilted my head, confused. "What?"

"Your keys. You expect me to watch him on the street? Or take him back to my place?" Ethan scoffed. "I'm not letting you and some other guy's kid into my apartment."

3

"Building 9, Unit 2806. Door code is 0927."

I gave him the info without hesitation, pushing the stroller towards him. "Formula and bottles are on the dining table, use warm water. Diapers are in the living room cabinet. If you don't know something, ask me or Google it. Also, if you don't mind, maybe push him around the complex for a bit longer, get some more sun."

Ethan: ...

With Leo sorted, I frantically prepared to drive to the office. After a few steps, I turned back, uncertain. "You'll take good care of him, right?"

Ethan let out a cold, angry laugh. "No," he said icily. "I'm going to torture this kid you had with someone else."

Despite his words, I felt strangely reassured.

When I first got together with Ethan, he was still in college. My company needed part-time male models, and Ethan had tagged along with a friend to the audition.

I don't remember his friend's face, but Ethan, waiting by the door, caught my eye immediately.

The boy was stunningly handsome; even I, generally uninterested in men, felt a flicker of attraction.

Initially, I just wanted to recruit him as a model. Later, lust took over, and he became my younger boyfriend.

Getting to know him better revealed that Ethan wasn't just gorgeous; he was smart, kind-hearted, and possessed excellent qualities all around.

Unfortunately, the age gap was significant, and I'm fundamentally not the marrying type. We were doomed from the start, destined only for a fleeting affair.

But his arrival did accelerate another plan I had.

I'd spent years focused on my career, planning to achieve financial independence by 35 and then have a child to raise alone.

When I met Ethan, I was already financially independent, but at 29, I wasn't quite ready for motherhood.

Besides, acquiring high-quality sperm wasn't exactly easy.

After dating Ethan for a year, he was facing choices about studying abroad or starting work. Logically, he should have pursued further education to enhance his prospects. But the silly boy, desperate not to do long-distance and eager to be on my level quickly, was actually considering giving up studying abroad.

He seriously shared his future plans with me, every step revolving around me.

His earnestness changed the dynamic of our relationship. I couldn't handle the intensity of his affection, couldn't take responsibility for it. Though reluctant, I knew I had to break up with him.

But before ending things, I made one last use of his high-quality genetic material.

After successfully conceiving, I first persuaded him to go study abroad – I couldn't bear to let his promising future be ruined by a temporary lapse in judgment fueled by romance.

Once he left, I used that as the excuse to break up, employing every soft and hard tactic imaginable.

All in all, it wasn't an amicable split.

Mainly because Ethan was far more invested emotionally than I was. I definitely caused him some pain.

Normally, I wouldn't feel bad about a breakup – it's a normal part of life, better to be amicable and move on, right? But… I had used his contribution without permission…

That first instant seeing Ethan today, my heart leaped into my throat. I thought he was here to settle scores, to fight me for the child. Thank god he wasn't—

Wait. He hasn't figured out Leo is his yet. But if they spend more time together, what if he does realize?!

I'd only thought of him as trustworthy in the moment, completely forgetting that crucial detail!

Regret washed over me for my impulsive decision. But I was already stuck at the office, unable to leave. All I could do was pray that when I got back, Leo would still be solely my child…

4

At eleven PM, after finishing up overtime, I rushed home, not even bothering to change my shoes, heading straight into the apartment to find Leo.

Leo was sleeping soundly in his crib. Ethan was sitting on the floor, head resting on the crib railing, apparently asleep too. The scene looked surprisingly peaceful.

Relief washed over me. I tiptoed out to change my shoes and pour myself a glass of water.

I debated whether to wake Ethan and send him home.

"You're back?"

His low, slightly raspy voice startled me from behind.

"Did I wake you?"

Ethan shook his head, sitting down across from me, casually picking up my water glass and taking a sip. "Didn't fall asleep, just dozed off."

He looked up, his gaze slightly mocking. "Seeing you rush in like that, were you afraid I'd done something to him?"

My eyes darted away. I didn't answer.

I had been a little worried.

Ethan chuckled coldly. "If you were so scared, why leave him with me? Ava, you're not usually this reckless."

He was right. I'm generally rational and cautious. Today's decision was indeed impulsive. Maybe subconsciously, knowing he was Leo's biological father automatically added a layer of safety filter.

"Anyway, thank you for today. He's usually quite a handful, did he give you a hard time?" I asked.

"He was fine. Pretty well-behaved."

Ethan said this as if implying: I hate to admit it, but your kid with another guy is actually quite good.

I found that surprising. These past few days, the little guy had worn me out completely. Except when asleep, "well-behaved" wasn't a word I'd associate with him.

And his sleep schedule was maddening – you could never predict when he'd get tired, and he'd always wake up crying after short naps.

But then Ethan added, "He's just a bit ugly. His father must not be good-looking."

I glanced at Ethan's own practically flawless face and smiled. You said it.

Ethan tapped his finger on the rim of the glass, studying me intently. Suddenly, he said, "There's not a trace of a man living here, Ava. Are you—"

My heart leaped again. Had he figured it out?!

"—separated from your husband?"

I discreetly wiped a bead of sweat from my forehead and forced a smile. "Ah, he's abroad long-term, so yeah, not much of his stuff is here."

"Really? Perhaps… you're actually divorced?"

"Of course not," I denied quickly.

Ethan's expression fell, clearly disappointed.

I genuinely couldn't understand what he was thinking. It's the 21st century; shouldn't two years be enough time to get over a relationship?

Besides, I was now a supposedly married woman with a child. Could he possibly still have feelings for me?

It seemed highly unlikely. So maybe… he was still resentful about me "dumping" him?

Considering this, I tried reasoning with him gently, "Ethan, I know you're probably upset about the breakup, but you must have known we were unlikely to work out long-term. Ending it sooner was better for you. Look at you, you're such a great catch, came back from studying abroad still young, bright future ahead, plenty of wonderful girls would love to be with you."

"I'm not upset with you."

I paused. "What?"

Ethan's fingers tightened on the glass. He looked down. "I know I was young in your eyes, immature, couldn't give you the security and sense of belonging you needed. It's normal that you gave up on me."

"So after the breakup, even though I missed you terribly, I forced myself to hold back. I thought I needed to grow up fast, that maybe if you saw how I'd changed, you might give me another chance."

"I finished my studies early, threw myself into work, desperately tried to achieve something. I think I'm finally on a path where we could be equals, but… it's still too late."

I've always been pessimistic about romantic relationships. To me, love is just a hormonal drive for physical intimacy. Once that state fades, so does the so-called love.

Two years apart, whatever love existed between us should have vanished. So, I couldn't empathize with Ethan's current emotions.

After a moment of silence, I tried again, "It's getting really late. Maybe… you should head home and rest?"