Chapter 1
Summer married the most sought–after golden bachelor in the city. Everyone said he adored her–so much that he’d give up anything for her, even his own life.
However, because she couldn’t get pregnant, the warm encouragement from her in–laws slowly turned into relentless pressure.
The man who once promised to protect her forever on their wedding day held her, with tears in his eyes.
“Baby, I can’t do this anymore.”
So that was how quickly a man’s promise could fade.”
Not even two months later, she saw him at the maternity clinic, carefully helping a pregnant woman.
“My baby’s definitely going to look just like his dad–sharp brows, bright eyes, so handsome. And maybe he’ll even have that cute little red birthmark at the corner of his eye,”
The woman’s voice rang out in the quiet hallway, full of pride, making people turn to look. Summer couldn’t help glancing over too.
The woman wore a mask, but her eyes were shining with smugness.
As Summer listened to her describe the baby’s future, she couldn’t help but think of someone else–her husband of five years.
Alan had that exact same little red mark by his eye.”
Just as Summer thought of stepping forward, the intercom called her name.
She sat across from the doctor, watching him study her report with a heavy look. Summer’s hands balled up in her lap, her heart squeezed so tight it was hard to Breathe.%
She didn’t know how long she waited, until finally the doctor spoke: “Ms. Jefferson, all your health indicators are perfectly normal.”
“As for why you haven’t been able to get pregnant all these years, we really can’t say. We could try running more tests…“}
Whatever else he said was a blur. All Summer could think was–her body was fine. But after all these years, she still couldn’t get pregnant.
After leaving the exam room, she sat dazed on a bench, staring at the report in her hands.
Tears fell, soaking the paper.
She and Alan had grown up together, childhood sweethearts.
Everyone in their circle knew that she was his one and only, the one no one else could touch.
She remembered the night she was seventeen, when he called her to meet under the old sycamore tree. Under the moonlight, cheeks red, he handed her a shoebox packed with years‘ worth of love letters, stammering out his feelings.>>
On her twentieth birthday–the day she was finally old enough to marry–he couldn’t wait a minute longer to propose. “Summer, I’m scared that if I wait, someone else will take you away.“%
She never liked big, flashy scenes, and he just wanted to keep her safe. Their wedding was small, just close friends and family. Hardly anyone else even knew..
None of that stopped Alan from loving her.%
After they found out she couldn’t get pregnant, he always comforted her, taking all the blame himself.
When his parents pushed her, he stood in front of her every time, face cold: “If you keep pressuring her, I’ll give up my inheritance. I don’t want kids.”
Summer felt both grateful and guilty. She tried everything to get pregnant. She took old remedies, and endured endless visits to the hospital.
But five years went by, and nothing changed.
Leaving the hospital, Summer pulled out her phone, wanting to call Alan.”
She missed him so much right then–she just wanted him to hold her.
But then she remembered he was probably still at work, so she put her phone away, deciding to head to his office instead.
Just as she walked in, she spotted someone who looked just like Alan, carefully helping a pregnant woman up the stairs.>
“Alan 7
She called out softly. Alan turned around, stiffening the second he saw her. He whispered something to the woman, waited for her to leave, then came down to block Summer’s view 2
Summer’s heart twisted with confusion. Why was he acting so nervous?%
“Who was that?”
Alari’s face was calm. “Just a stranger. She was pregnant and struggling with the stairs, so I helped her.”W
Alan had always been careful about boundaries–he never touched any woman but her. Even his secretaries were all men.
Ther friends used to tease him about being “whipped.” He never minded, “Yeah, I am. Besides Summer, I’m allergic to all other women.”
He was always so distant with women, so why help a pregnant stranger?
Alan quickly changed the subject “So, what did the doctor say?“%
Her disappointment slipped through, and the sadness she’d tried to swallow all day came rushing back, making her eyes ating 2
Alan noticed right away He pulled her into his arms, soothing her with gentle pats on the back. “Hey, it’s okay I told you–don’t put so much pressure on yourself. I’m fine without kids. You’re the only one I want. Aww come on. It breaks my heart when you do
Me brushed away her tears with his thumb and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead
It took a while, but eventually, his gentle words calmed her, and she squeezed his hand in return.2
