Chapter 3
At Belmont Amusement Park, she bought a ticket and entered. It didn’t take long before she spotted Zevian and Aveline standing together. She couldn’t hear their conversation, but Aveline looked incredibly happy. With a gleam in her eyes, Aveline tiptoed up to kiss Zevian on the cheek. Amaris’s hands and feet were cold, her body wrapped in silence as she stood at a distance, neither too far nor too close, just close enough to hear their conversation. “Aveline, I knew you’d come to see me because you were worried.” Aveline’s voice was filled with a playful joy, unmistakably delighted. “Aveline, I’m your brother. You can’t kiss me like that again, understand?” Zevian’s voice was firm, but his tone betrayed an underlying helplessness; he had clearly indulged her before. “Don’t think I don’t know. You were adopted by Mom and Dad, too. We’re not real siblings. I like you, so what?” Aveline’s voice was bold, unapologetic. “You like me too. To cure me, you even kidnapped Amaris and had her kidney taken.” “Zevian, once I’m well, please divorce her. Marry me.” Zevian didn’t look shocked by her words. It was clear Aveline had said things like this many times before. Amaris stood hidden in the crowd at the amusement park, unnoticed by them. “No. Mom and Dad wouldn’t approve. Aveline, you need to give up. I’m married to Amaris now. I’m not sure anymore; I’m not good enough for you. You deserve better.” His voice was thick with bitterness, his eyes clouded with sorrow. Aveline’s heart broke at the weight of his words. She cupped his face gently and said with a serious tone, “You’re not dirty at all. When I’m better, I’ll tell Mom and Dad we’ve already been together. They won’t mind.” With that, she stood on tiptoe, lifted her face, and kissed him fiercely, wrapping her arms around him to keep him close, not giving him the chance to pull away. Zevian seemed powerless against her. Eventually, he gave in, placing his hand on the back of her head, kissing her back with an intensity that spoke of tenderness, as if handling something precious. Amaris watched them, her body numb as the blood drained from her face. Her mind went completely blank. They had no shame, no concern for anyone else. After their breathless kiss, Zevian gazed at Aveline with soft eyes, affection impossible to disguise. Their bodies betrayed them, and in the end, Zevian gritted his teeth, lifting her and heading toward the underground parking lot of the amusement park. Amaris’s heart continued to sink as she followed them, unable to tear her eyes away. She saw Zevian carry Aveline inside and roll up the windows. Soon, the car began to rock. Faint panting and soft moans pierced the silence. There was no need to imagine what was happening inside. Amaris’s face turned as white as a ghost, her body feeling like a hollow shell. The pain in her chest was sharp, almost suffocating. She couldn’t help but recall how to please Zevian and match his desires; she had once made love with him in a car, too. She had even kept several boxes of condoms tucked away; now, they were being used by him and Aveline. Amaris didn’t remember how she got home. She only remembered that after leaving Blue Sky Amusement Park, she went to the divorce office and handed the divorce agreement she had signed in the morning to the lawyer. Despite her resolve to leave, witnessing that scene still tore at her heart; it felt as if a part of her soul had been carved out. It was late, around 8 or 9 p.m., when Zevian finally came home. As soon as he entered, he pulled Amaris into his arms, nuzzling her neck, breathing in her scent as though savoring it. His hands, familiar and steady, roamed along her back. Amaris fought against the wave of nausea, pushing him away. The situation struck her as laughable, though her face remained composed, revealing nothing. She spoke with the faintest hint of dissatisfaction, “You just got home, eat first. I’ve kept your dinner warm.” “My wife is the best. Coming home to a hot meal made by her, there’s no man luckier than me.” Zevian released her, oblivious to the tension in the air, and sat down with a grin to eat. He had changed into fresh clothes, and no trace of the day’s events was left behind. Aveline always wore perfume, but there wasn’t a hint of it on him. He had covered his tracks perfectly, every detail accounted for. Had she not overheard his conversation with his adoptive parents, she might have remained in the dark forever, never knowing the truth. That night, Amaris went to bed early, wanting to avoid Zevian’s advances. Every time he touched her, images of him with Aveline overwhelmed her, leaving her nauseous. But in the middle of the night, Amaris woke with her stomach churning. Amaris couldn’t hold back, leaping out of bed and rushing to the bathroom. She dry-heaved over the sink, her body trembling with the effort. The noise she made was enough to stir Zevian from his sleep. As soon as she bolted out of bed, he followed, concern etching his features. Finding her there, struggling but unable to vomit, he rushed to her side. “Amaris, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?” The bedroom light flickered on. Amaris’s face was pale, her body stiff. She shook her head and replied, “I just suddenly felt nauseous, but it’s passing now.” At her words, something seemed to click in Zevian’s mind. His eyes gleamed with an almost hopeful excitement. “Amaris, could we have a baby?” Her breath caught in her throat. His words struck her with a sudden realization. The symptoms did seem to point in that direction. Without wasting a second, Zevian rushed to fetch a pregnancy test. When the test revealed two lines, Zevian couldn’t hide his joy. He wrapped her in a tight embrace, his voice thick with emotion. “This is incredible, Amaris, we’re having a baby!” Amaris hesitated, her heart tangled in a web of doubt. She forced a smile, but it felt like a fragile mask. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy? Or do you not want this baby?” His question was careful, filled with concern. Amaris met his gaze, and there was a slight tremble in her voice. “No, it’s just I’ve heard pregnancy tests aren’t always accurate. Let’s go to the hospital tomorrow to be sure.” If she hadn’t known about Zevian’s plan with his adoptive family, if she hadn’t witnessed the man, she thought she loved to betray her with another woman. Maybe she would have been overjoyed by the news. But now, this child felt like a weight, a responsibility she wasn’t sure she could carry. Or worse still, after another kidney surgery, could the baby even survive? “Zevian, I heard from the doctor that if we want the baby to be safe, the mother must be well taken care of.” “Before the baby is born, you’ll protect me, won’t you? You won’t let anything happen to me?” Amaris looked up and asked tentatively in a soft voice. At the word “unexpected”, Zevian lowered his eyes, avoiding her gaze, yet his tone remained perfectly natural. “Of course. I’ll protect you and the baby.” Amaris’ heart sank when she saw Zevian didn’t dare to look at her.