Chapter 33
Eric accompanied me to a nearby mall to buy some clean clothes. After changing, I received a call from my parents. Even before answering, I could already guess the reason for their call. It had to be either Jack or Elsa who spilled the news of my pregnancy to them. Maybe they even added extra details. After I asked the store assistant to dispose of my wet clothes, I picked up the call. I could hear Dad’s stern voice on the other end. “Come home immediately! Also, bring Eric with you!” He hung up right after yelling those words.
Eric stood not far from me. Given how loudly Dad shouted, he likely heard everything. I looked at him helplessly. “Eric, it looks like I’ll have to trouble you to tag along again.” Eric nodded. “Let’s go.”
On our way home, I noticed Eric occasionally glancing at me through the rearview mirror. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the steering wheel while driving, as if he had something on his mind. I stared at his perfectly proportioned and attractive hands. I slowly started to talk. “If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.” His fingers paused mid-tap. He briefly glanced at me. “Earlier, you said you weren’t pregnant. Is that true?”
“Yes. I’m really not pregnant.” I briefly explained how Elsa had accidentally witnessed me using a pregnancy test kit and how I intentionally misled her into thinking I was pregnant. Hearing this, the tension in Eric’s brows eased instantly. He showed a tiny smile.
“So, that’s how it is. I really thought that you were going to raise a child on your own, like in one of those melodramatic movies.”
I chuckled softly. “I have better things to do, okay?” I stared at the road ahead. “I genuinely have no feelings for Jeremiah. How could I possibly want to have his child?” I murmured.
I wasn’t sure if Eric heard that. Either way, he seemed happy after hearing my explanation, acting like a weight had been lifted off his chest. When we arrived at the house, I realized that Elsa and Jack were already there.
When Elsa saw me, she immediately stood up. “Jane, I’m so sorry. I accidentally let it slip when Mom and Dad asked earlier. This is huge! I didn’t dare hide it from them. Please don’t blame me.” She bit her lip and put on an innocent, wronged expression.
Jack stood up and put his arm around her. “You did nothing wrong. Only those who did disgraceful things and still have no shame are at fault,” he said, glaring with intense disdain.
I rolled my eyes and snorted. Who the hell did he think he was?
“Okay, that’s enough!” Dad snapped. “We have a guest here. Do you all want to act like clowns in front of a guest?”
“Well, Jane’s the only clown here!” Jack replied spitefully.
Mom glared at him. “Watch your words. If you can’t say anything nice, keep it to yourself.” She gestured toward Eric and me, patting the seat next to her. “You two, come here.”
I immediately went over and put my head on her shoulder playfully. “Mom, I can explain.”
She lovingly patted my cheek. “What’s left to explain? I get how you young people are,” she said with a sigh. “Here, these are a few wedding planners I’ve picked out. Choose one. As for the wedding gown…”
I was bewildered. “Wait, hold on! What wedding planners? What wedding gowns? Mom, what are you doing?” I quickly interrupted her.