Veiled Heartbreak

If Fu Yusen knew she was pregnant, what would his reaction be? Jiang Nuan sat quietly in the hospital corridor, her face a mix of laughter and tears, filled with endless bitterness. Half an hour later, she left the hospital and dialed her psychiatrist’s number. “Dr. Chen, can I take the medication you prescribed now that I’m pregnant?” “Absolutely not, Jiang Nuan, you must understand, given your condition, having a child is not allowed.” Jiang Nuan felt a sharp pain in her heart. After a long while, she spoke, her voice dispersing in the wind: “I understand.” A few days later, Jiang Nuan was summoned to Fu Yusen’s office. Fu Yusen, in a good mood, tossed a document onto the desk. “The recent project was well done. This is for personnel adjustments and bonuses, distribute them.” Jiang Nuan agreed, but as she flipped through the document, her fingers suddenly paused. It was that project… Now a great success, the deputy manager had been promoted to branch manager. Jiang Nuan’s heart felt like it had been pricked by a thorn, aching. Fu Yusen raised an eyebrow: “Any problem?” Jiang Nuan snapped the file shut with a slap, lowering her head submissively: “No.” She left the office, took a deep breath, and headed towards the finance room. Just as she reached the door, Jiang Nuan heard laughter from inside. “Have you heard? Fu has set a wedding date with Lin’s daughter.” “I know, truly a match made in heaven.” “What about Jiang Nuan, the special assistant?” “What can she do? When you’re done playing with a toy, you throw it away.” After this remark, a knowing laughter filled the room. Jiang Nuan felt as if she was nailed to the spot at the door. After a long moment, she turned and entered the bathroom. Looking at her pale reflection in the mirror, it seemed as if a voice was whispering: For the sake of the child, would it be worth stopping your medication? Fu Yusen wouldn’t even want him! Her hand instinctively touched her flat abdomen. In a daze, she thought she heard a faint yet strong heartbeat. Another voice whispered: He will be your only kin, even if everyone in this world despises you, he will love you. Jiang Nuan forced a smile at the corner of her mouth. She left the bathroom, opened the door to the finance room, and as the staff saw her, their expressions turned respectful. Jiang Nuan efficiently instructed them and then turned to leave. After work, Jiang Nuan left the company, only to see an unexpected person. Her mother approached, her next words were: “Give me money, I need to play cards with some ladies.” Jiang Nuan frowned: “Didn’t I transfer money to you last week?” “What can that little amount do? Do you know how much those women look down on me?” Jiang Nuan’s face was expressionless: “I don’t have money, that’s my salary for half a year.” Her mother spat curses: “You’re just like your father, good for nothing!” Jiang Nuan’s face turned icy: “You have no right to talk about my father.” “You dare talk back to me?!” Her mother, furious, slapped Jiang Nuan hard across the face! “If it weren’t for you, this burden, I could have given birth to a Fu heir.” Jiang Nuan staggered from the blow, her belongings scattering on the ground. Her mother, sharp-eyed, spotted the medical report. She was instantly ecstatic: “You’re pregnant! It’s Fu Yusen’s, right?!” The eagerness in her eyes sent shivers down Jiang Nuan’s spine. Jiang Nuan, somewhat panicked, picked up the report and shoved it back into her bag, coldly saying: “No! I’ll give you the money, now leave!” Her mother glanced at her bag and actually laughed: “Good, good, I’ll leave now.” Jiang Nuan watched her retreating figure, feeling extremely uneasy. That night, she returned home to find Fu Yusen, who had been missing all afternoon, waiting at her door. Jiang Nuan’s eyes flickered with surprise: “Why are you here?” Before she could finish, Fu Yusen stepped forward, his breath laced with the faint scent of alcohol, and pressed against her. Jiang Nuan’s voice caught for a moment. She opened the door and helped Fu Yusen inside. As soon as they entered, Fu Yusen wrapped his arms around her waist, his hot lips pecking at her ear, pushing her onto the couch. Jiang Nuan felt a tingle, stopping his wandering hand, and whispered: “No.” Fu Yusen paused, looking down at her. The overhead light cast a soft glow in his eyes, giving an illusion of tenderness. Jiang Nuan’s heart ached, slowly speaking: “If… if I were pregnant… what would you do?” “Pregnant?” Fu Yusen lifted his eyelids, his expression a mix of mockery: “Your bastard child, I find it filthy.” “I told you not to hit me, Lin Chao has been looking for me several times, he really has a thing for Jiang Nuan. Considering your relationship, I agreed to help him ask…”