The night before my wedding, Ben informed me he was child-free. "Summer, if you can accept this, we'll go ahead. If not... better to walk away now." His words hit me like a bolt of lightning. But the house was full of family and friends, celebrating our joy, and I was already halfway down the aisle. How could I walk away now? I could only choose to leap for love, resolutely marrying him. Then, on our fifth wedding anniversary, Ben suddenly changed his mind. "Summer, let's try for a kid through IVF. Consider it my gift to you." 1. "Are you serious?" "Ben, are you really willing to have a baby with me?" I was so excited when I heard Ben say that, I grabbed his hand. Then, remembering his obsessive cleanliness, I quickly let go. My heart was pounding, waiting for his answer. "Of course." "Summer, I've been neglecting you these past few years. With a child, you won't be so lonely..." The weight lifted from my chest, and I exhaled deeply. For five years, Ben had been consumed by work, and we rarely spent quality time together. Our home, already small, felt even emptier. I had longed for a child more than anything. Now, my wish was finally coming true. As for IVF... I learned after our wedding that Ben's "child-free" stance had another layer to it. He had severe germaphobia. He couldn't even hold my hand or give me a hug, let alone share a bed and be intimate. Our marriage was a piece of paper and nothing more. If Ben hadn't stepped in and proposed when my fiancé and sister betrayed me, I don't know if I would have ever believed he truly loved me. *But now, the "child-free" Ben is willing to have a baby with me. He must love me.* Lost in my fantasies, I was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace. Startled, I realized it was Ben. He had broken through his germaphobia to hold me for the first time. This anniversary was raining miracles down on me, making me giddy. Just as I was about to hug him back, he stepped back, a look of concern on his face. "Summer, I've put you through so much these past few years. I promise to make it up to you, twice over.” Even after washing up and getting into bed, I kept replaying Ben's words in my head. Although everything he'd done was something I had always wanted, it felt too easy. Once the initial excitement wore off, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. So, I got up to get a glass of water. The moment I opened the door, I heard the sound of running water and Ben's voice, laced with disgust. "If it weren't to trick Summer into having a kid, I would never have forced myself to hug her.” "She's so dirty, so dirty. No matter how much I scrub, I can still smell her.” My hand fell from the doorknob. The unease I felt became a grim reality. I didn't know how to react, my mind consumed by the words *Ben is disgusted by me.* Forcing myself to calm down, I heard his long-time assistant, Leo, say, "You didn't seem repulsed when you hugged her tonight." "Boss, could it be... your subconscious is finally accepting Mrs. Stone?" The question was tentative, but Ben exploded. "Impossible!" "How could I ever like her? I only love Ashley. If it weren't for this damn phobia keeping me from making her happy, I never would have married Summer, that fake!” He called me a fake. The Ashley he was talking about must be Ashley Stone, the real heiress the Stone family had found a few years ago. Also my dear sister, and the woman my fiancé cheated on me with. Ben married me because he couldn't give Ashley happiness, so he settled for me. A way to smooth the road for her. If I wasn't the one being used, I might have applauded his 'deep affection'. 2. In a daze, I heard Ben order Leo in a cold voice, "Keep an eye on her, and don't let her find out.” "Once Ashley and I have a viable embryo, take Summer to the clinic and implant it.” "Ashley's health is fragile, and she can't endure the pain of pregnancy and childbirth. Her dear sister can help her out.” "And she'll get a free kid who calls her 'Mom.' Consider it a favor.” A favor… Marrying the man Ashley didn’t want, carrying Ashley and my husband’s child. In Ben's eyes, it was like a charity, and I should be grateful! My sudden happiness was like a fleeting flower, quickly withering. The blood in my veins turned to ice, and my disappointment slowly solidified. When Ben suddenly came over, I froze and quickly hid under the covers. I heard him sit on the edge of the bed, speaking softly. "Summer, you'll understand, right?" For a moment, my scalp tingled, thinking Ben had seen through my act. But after he finished speaking, he left without hesitation. He even tucked the blanket around me. "You treat Mrs. Stone so well, why hurt her for Ashley?" "You two are one now. Are you not afraid of what would happen if she found out..." Ben's footsteps faded. Along with them was the rest of Leo's unfinished question. Unfortunately, I knew I'd probably never hear the answer. Staring blankly at the ceiling, I replayed my memories of how Ben and I met while tears soaked the pillow. At dawn, Ben brought me breakfast as usual. "Summer, I'm off to work. Remember to eat." "Call Leo if you need anything." A glass of milk, an omelet. Ever since my stomach ached after our wedding, Ben had been making me breakfast by hand, day after day. The same words every morning, never missing a beat. I couldn't reconcile the man before me with the Ben from last night. Until about two weeks later, when Ben stopped me as we were about to enter the clinic to retrieve my eggs. "Summer, maybe we should forget about this. It's a painful process." The words sounded kind. But for some reason, I instinctively remembered what Ben had said that night. *Once Ashley and I have a viable embryo, we'll have Summer carry it.* How could someone who could do something so cruel have me give up halfway because the process was painful? "I can't. I really want my own child." *As for who the father is, it doesn't matter, actually.* I swallowed the last half of the sentence, keeping it to myself. For that reason, Ben seemed even more touched, taking my hand and leading me to the operating room door. "Don't worry, Summer. I'll be waiting for you right here." I nodded in response. My eyes fell on our hands clasped together. Ever since that hug, he had been touching me more and more. Did this mean he was slowly accepting me? Maybe... maybe Ben would change his mind and not hurt me for Ashley... 3. Sharp pain interrupted my thoughts. My mind went blank. I finally finished having my eggs retrieved. When I walked out of the operating room, my body trembling, I found only Leo waiting at the door. "Where's Ben?" He said he would be waiting for me right here. The pain heightened my distress and escaped without me realizing it. I asked the question with a sob I didn't even know I had. Hearing this, Leo panicked. "Mrs. Stone, something suddenly came up at the office. Mr. Stone... he had to rush back to handle it. He asked me to wait and take you home.” A perfect excuse, leaving no room for anger. I stood in the clinic hallway for a while, then got up with Leo and left. We had driven quite a distance, but something made me look back suddenly. It was fleeting, and I only saw his back, but I clearly recognized Ben. He hadn't left at all! He was guarding another woman! Ben used a clumsy excuse to negate his promise, and my self-deception became a joke. A bitter smile spread across my lips, and I said to Leo, "Let's go." He kept looking at me in the rearview mirror all the way. But I was exhausted, and even saying a word took a lot of effort, so I simply closed my eyes and pretended to sleep. I fell into a fitful sleep, and when I woke up, it was already dark. I had dozens of unread messages on my phone. I opened them one by one, seeing messages from Ben, and... my mom. When Ashley came to the door claiming to be the Stone family's true heiress, my mother, who had raised me since I was a child, said she would treat us equally. In reality, she scolded me without looking into things after Ashley framed me countless times. I had learned my lesson and gradually distanced myself from her. I immediately moved out and rented a house as soon as I started earning money. It had been eight years since I had last heard from her. But today, she suddenly asked me to 'come home for dinner'. Something was definitely wrong. I knew this, but I couldn't ignore the kindness she had shown me by raising me. Little did I know, when I walked in braving the snow, I saw the person I least wanted to see: Ashley. She was sitting by the fireplace, warming herself. When she saw me, she welcomed me, uncharacteristically. "Sis, you're back. Come sit down." She wanted to be a mediator. Utterly disappointed, I turned to leave. But a familiar voice from my memories suddenly snapped, "Kneel!" My mother slowly walked down the stairs. "Summer Stone, I raised you. Is this how you repay me?" "If your sister hadn't suggested this dinner today, I wouldn't have known you were married and planning to have children!" When she mentioned having children, I realized that Ashley wanted to use my mother against me. So that she could steal the child in my womb fairly in the future. She seemed so sure I would carry her and Ben's child. I was upset, but my words dripped with sarcasm. "You really are talented, Ashley. I didn't even know I was having a child, but you did." "Do you sleep under my husband and my sister's bed or something?” 4. Ashley didn't say anything, but tears started flowing. Seeing this, my mom pointed at me, full of rage. "Summer Stone!" But for some reason, she eventually put her hand down. "Apologize to your sister. Apologize and then we'll eat." "You've been away from home for so long. She's been the one keeping me company and taking care of me..." She probably thought I was a fool who was being played. That was why she felt sorry for me. But Ashley framing me at my wedding and Ashley interfering with my family and making me carry her child for her... all these things added up. The hatred grew like wildfire, and I couldn't help but raise my hand to slap her. But Ben pushed me away at the critical moment. "Summer, Ashley is trying to help you mend your relationship with the family." "Can you not be so unreasonable?" I didn't know when he had arrived, but he looked exhausted, having come to protect Ashley. I was extremely sarcastic. I was about to tear down his façade, but Ben suddenly calmed down, his stern face softening. "Summer, apologize to Ashley." My heart sank. Incredulously, I stared at Ben and asked. "You want me to apologize to her?" They were the ones plotting and scheming against me, but he wanted me to apologize to my abuser. His bias was obvious. I didn't want to watch the two of them flirt, so I snorted and left. Ben chased after me a short while later, pulling me into his arms and coaxing me, "Don't be angry, Summer.” "I'm afraid you'll completely break up with them, and it'll hurt your reputation." He knew the real reason. I didn't want to say much, so I warned Ben with the last of my goodwill. "Don't you have germaphobia? Why are you holding me?" Hopefully, this reminder would bring him to his senses. If he didn't love me, at least... at least he would see what he really wanted. Ben froze, staring intently at me, lost in thought. I thought my words had an effect. The faint joy hadn't even risen when I plunged into the endless darkness. "Summer, let's go to the clinic tomorrow. The doctor said the IVF was successful." The IVF was successful... No wonder Ashley wanted to see me today. They had already decided to make their move. I had been struggling like a clown. "Ben, is this your choice?" I took a deep breath to suppress the bitterness in my eyes and asked through gritted teeth. Ben frowned, confused. "Isn't this what we agreed on? Summer, what's wrong with you?" His technique of putting the blame on me was excellent. But I saw the guilt in his eyes. When I got home, I made up an excuse that I wasn't feeling well and contacted the doctor I had left my number with during the egg retrieval. The next day, when I went to the clinic with Ben, she gave me a subtle nod. I sighed in relief and walked into the operating room without hesitation. Ben suddenly grabbed me, his lips moving hesitantly. "Summer... maybe... maybe we should forget about this..." Forget about this? "Why should we?"
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