Chapter 2: Yes, We Have a Three-and-a-Half-Year-Old Child
This confirmed Caroline’s belief that this child was from a parallel universe.
In this timeline, while she and Adrian had been classmates for half a year, their relationship was nowhere near the point of getting married and having a child.
What’s more, she had learned from Ryan that *she* was the one who had pursued Adrian.
HAHAHA. Apparently, when a person is utterly speechless, they actually laugh out loud.
’Was she tired of living? Chasing after a villain?’
Besides, she had a line of suitors stretching all the way to France. Would she really take the initiative to pursue a villain who was all the way in "France"?
"Fine, I’ll order takeout for you then." Caroline wiggled her fingers and ordered a meal from a private kitchen through her WhatsApp contacts.
It was even better that he didn’t want the noodles she made. She couldn’t be bothered to cook anyway.
"Is it takeout from The Gilded Spoon again?" Ryan suddenly asked.
Seeing Caroline’s surprised expression, he smacked his lips and said, "Every time Daddy isn’t home, Mommy always orders from this place."
"..."
’This parallel universe is something else, huh? Not only is the family background the same, but this restaurant exists here too?’
The takeout arrived.
Caroline found the food completely tasteless. Her mind was consumed with a single thought: what if this child could never go back?
Because they had worked on a group project together, she still had Adrian’s contact information. She just didn’t know if he had deleted her from his WhatsApp.
’So, should I send a message to Adrian? Tell him: "Yes, we have a three-and-a-half-year-old child."’
’What if Adrian doesn’t believe me and thinks I’m a lunatic?’
Caroline took two bites and lost her appetite.
She glanced over. Ryan, on the other hand, was eating with great relish.
DING.
A message for "@all members" popped up in her group chat. Caroline picked up her phone to look.
The class group chat, quiet for years after graduation, was suddenly buzzing with activity.
Class President: @all members, the annual class reunion is planned for May 26th at the Zanthia Club. Is everyone free?
Classmate A: I can make it.
Classmate B: No problem.
Classmate C: 2
A string of "2s" was interspersed with a few "1s." In a class group of nearly forty people, only about ten seemed to be free.
Caroline was about to send a "2" to indicate she wasn’t free, but just then, a classmate in the group said something.
Molly Lawson: Oh, the Zanthia Club? Isn’t that owned by Adrian’s family?
Molly Lawson: @Adrian By the way, I heard you’re back in the country. We were classmates for half a year, you know. Interested in coming to the reunion this year? Since it’s at your place, it’s the perfect opportunity to show your support, right?
Caroline’s hand paused. On a whim, she deleted the "2" she had typed.
The group chat fell dead silent. She guessed everyone was just like her, waiting for Adrian’s reply.
It wasn’t that the Class President hadn’t invited Adrian in previous years, but Adrian had always declined, using the excuse that he was abroad.
Thinking of this, Caroline suddenly realized an undeniable problem: what if Adrian had a girlfriend or a fiancée? What would she do about this child?
"Mommy, when is Daddy coming back from his business trip?"
"..."
’Speak of the devil.’
It was only the first day, and Ryan was already clamoring for his dad. If she didn’t take the boy to see Adrian, wouldn’t he cry his eyes out?
Her phone vibrated. Caroline opened it to see that Adrian hadn’t replied, but the Class President had responded in the group.
Class President: Haha, maybe he will come to show his support. But he is a very busy man now; he might not have the time.
As soon as he said that, a variety of "1" replies silently popped up in the chat.
Caroline, who had been uninterested in the reunion, also silently sent a "1" sticker.
"Mommy, answer me! When is Daddy coming back?"
"It’ll be ten to fifteen days this time," Caroline said with a smile.
There were still nine days until the 26th. It was the perfect chance for her to scout out his relationship status at the reunion first.
"That’s so long. Daddy’s never been away from Mommy for this long," Ryan pouted.
His little head turned, his eyes darting around the living room. Finally, he whipped his head back and asked unexpectedly, "Mommy, you didn’t fight with Daddy and make him run away from home, did you?"
Caroline, who was taking a sip of water, nearly choked. She coughed a few times.
A thought flickered through her mind—that explanation could work.
Just as she was about to go along with his words and admit it, she saw Ryan’s eyes turn red. His lip quivered, and he started to sob.
"SOB SOB SOB... I don’t want Mommy and Daddy to fight! I don’t want Mommy and Daddy to get a divorce!"
"We didn’t fight, we didn’t fight! We’re not getting a divorce."
"Then where’s your wedding photo? Daddy’s clothes aren’t here, and his toothbrush and toothpaste are gone too..."
"And me! My clothes are gone too! Mommy, does this mean you don’t want me anymore either...?"
"SOB SOB SOB... I’ve become a wild child, unwanted by my mother and despised by my father..."
"..."
’Who said three-and-a-half-year-olds don’t understand anything? This one seems incredibly perceptive.’
Exasperated, Caroline made up a bunch of excuses, and in the end, she Photoshopped a wedding picture of herself and Adrian to show him.
Only then did the child stop crying.
’Getting him to meet his father is urgent. It seems I can’t wait until the 26th.’
Before bed, Caroline gritted her teeth and decided to probe Adrian’s situation first.
Caroline: "Hi. I want to know if you have a girlfriend. Are you married?"
’No, that’s not right. It’s too blunt.’
Caroline quickly retracted the message.
Caroline: "Hi. I have a friend who wants to know if you have a girlfriend. Are you married?"
...
「The Seraphic Villa.」
Adrian had just stepped out of the bathroom, a silk robe hanging loosely on his body. He casually dried the tips of his wet hair, put on a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and instantly exuded an air of noble, detached asceticism.
He strode into the study, ready to continue with his unfinished work, when the phone resting on the corner of his desk suddenly lit up.
He picked it up nonchalantly. Three new messages were displayed on the screen:
Caroline Whitman ’24: "I want to know if you have a girlfriend. Are you married?"
Caroline Whitman ’24 retracted a message.
Caroline Whitman ’24: "Hi. I have a friend who wants to know if you have a girlfriend. Are you married?"
The moment he saw the name, Adrian froze for a second.
’Who is this? A hacked account? A scammer?’
Adrian’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. Setting aside everything else, the content of the message alone was off-putting.
There was absolutely no need to reply.
Adrian put down the phone, intending to ignore it, but another message popped up at the bottom of the chat window.
Caroline Whitman ’24: "You’re probably not going to believe this, but we have a three-and-a-half-year-old child."
Caroline Whitman ’24: [Image]
Adrian:?
Adrian stared at the message, and at the child in the picture who bore a striking resemblance to him, and froze.
For a moment, he genuinely wondered if he had shared a night of passion with some strange woman.
AI is so advanced these days. It wouldn’t be hard for someone to get my photo and Photoshop a childhood picture of me.
He was a virgin. Where would a child have come from?