Chapter 95: Chapter 95

"I think that’s your father. We need to talk about the party, the new developments, and our decision. You two eat your breakfast and get to school."

She walked into the living room and picked up the receiver. "Hello."

But after only a single word, darkness swamped her vision. Mrs. Briona collapsed to the floor like a withered petal, sending Serenity and Vince racing out from the kitchen in a panic.

"Mom," Serenity screamed, dropping to her knees to shake her mother awake.

"Aunt Briona." Vince went pale, quickly checking her breathing. "Quickly, we have to get her to the hospital."

The scream of the ambulance siren tore through the air, pulling them into a new vortex of worry.

In the hospital corridor, which reeked of disinfectant, Serenity sat huddled on a long bench. She buried her face in her hands, tears soaking through her fingers. Vince sat beside her, silent, simply holding her cold hand to share his warmth.

"Aunt Briona will be fine," he whispered.

"She fainted because of me," Serenity choked out. "She’s exhausted because of us. I’m the worst daughter in the world."

"Don’t worry, everything will be alright. Some storms exist only to teach us how to stand together."

Mr. Caleb ran toward them, his face frantic and his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Vince."

"Dad."

"Where is Briona. How is she?"

"The doctor is diagnosing her inside. Dad, please calm down."

Mr. Caleb turned to Serenity. "Serenity, don’t be sad. Your mother will be fine."

The door opened, and a doctor stepped out with a file in hand. Mr. Caleb rushed forward. "Doctor, how is she?"

The doctor removed his mask and spoke slowly. "She fainted due to extreme stress and lack of sleep, combined with anemia. There’s no need to worry. Let the patient rest. It will be good for her and the baby."

Mr. Caleb was thunderstruck. "Are you saying she’s pregnant?"

"You didn't know. She’s twenty-five weeks along."

Mr. Caleb erupted in joy, turning to grip Vince and Serenity’s shoulders. "Vince, Serenity, did you hear that. I’m going to be a father again. Briona is pregnant." He turned back to the doctor. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Contrasting the father’s joy, Vince and Serenity fell into a void of silence. They stood as still as statues. This child was the sacred bond that would unite their families, but it was also a cruel barrier to their love. This was the one complication they never wanted.

At the billing counter, as Mr. Caleb was finishing the paperwork, Vince approached him. The young man’s face held no trace of celebration.

"Vince, is she awake yet?"

"Not yet."

"Let’s go. Briona and Serenity are waiting for us. I want to see her immediately."

Vince stepped in front of his father, his voice cold as ice. "Wait, Dad. There’s something I need to tell you."

"What is it. Can it wait?"

"Aunt Briona said she doesn't want to marry you."

Mr. Caleb froze, then let out a laugh, the innocent laugh of a man blinded by happiness. "That’s impossible. She’s pregnant, son. We’re finally going to be a real family."

"It’s true, Dad. Because I am in love with Serenity."

Mr. Caleb laughed again, patting his son's shoulder. "Stop joking. I’ve had enough excitement for one day. Your timing is terrible."

Vince brushed his father’s hand away. "Dad, I am dead serious. Serenity and I have loved each other for a long time. Because of that, Aunt Briona decided to accept us and sacrifice her own happiness. You can have another child, but I only have one Serenity in my life."

The smile died on Mr. Caleb’s lips. The hospital air became suffocating. He stared at his son, who was systematically tearing apart the home he had only just begun to build.

\---

A moment later, he let out a heavy sigh and spoke. "After Briona found out about everything, she said she wanted to move out with Serenity?"

Vince replied calmly. "I think Aunt Briona is looking out for you, for me, for Serenity, and for herself as well. If you and she get married, I will move out."

Mr. Caleb was surprised, stepping forward to grip his son's shoulder. "Vince, what are you saying? Are you planning to abandon this family?"

"I am moving out. I can live on my own," Vince interrupted. "Besides, you are about to have a baby. The child needs their father, don't they? If I leave, the family's reputation will remain intact. If I leave, Serenity won't have to live in shame. If I leave, everything will be fine."

Mr. Caleb tightened his grip on his son’s shoulder, his eyes reddening with heartache. "Don't go. If you are not here with your aunt and me, this house will lose its meaning. A family is not a simple math equation where you can just erase your name whenever you please. I do not agree."

Vince’s sacrifice made Mr. Caleb realize that the son he once considered a "wild stallion" actually possessed a noble heart, willing to exile himself to preserve the happiness of others.

In the quiet hospital room, Mrs. Briona had regained consciousness, her face pale. Serenity sat by her side, holding her mother's hand. "Mom, I want you to be happy, so I will move back to our old house. I don't want you to have to give up Mr. Caleb because of me."

Mrs. Briona shook her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. "No, I have already decided not to marry Caleb. As for the baby, after it is born, Caleb can adopt it. That way, he will still be the child’s father, and you two can still love each other without being judged by society."

"Both of you, be quiet."

The door flew open, and Mr. Caleb entered, followed by Vince. He looked at Mrs. Briona and said, "What does it matter if they are dating? They are not blood relatives. How could you decide this on your own without asking me? What are you afraid of? Is it what others think, or is it my social standing? If this status forces me to sacrifice the happiness of the people I love most, then it is nothing but absolute trash."