Chapter 3

This baby didn't pop out of thin air. Could the doctor be right? Was the guy who violated me really seriously lacking down there?

After mulling it over for a while, I finally made up my mind to go back to the swimming pool.

I slipped some cash to the security guard and got my hands on the surveillance footage from a month ago. There were no cameras inside the locker room, so all I could see were people going in and out.

But after watching the footage over and over, I didn't spot anyone suspicious.

I couldn't help but feel discouraged. Was I wrong? Maybe it didn't happen that day after all.

Sarah bought me a cup of coffee and asked excitedly, "Ariel, I sent Adam away. Now you can tell me whose baby is it?"

I bit my lip and shook my head. "Honestly, I wish I knew. All I remember was us going to the pool that day, and then I was suddenly pregnant. No clue how it happened."

Sarah paused for a moment, then suddenly smacked her forehead. "Wait, could someone have, you know, done something in the pool?

"I saw on the news before of some guy jerking off in the pool, and a bunch of girls ended up pregnant."

I almost burst out laughing. That was impossible. Sperm wouldn't survive that long, and in a chlorinated pool, they'd be toast in seconds.

But Sarah's crazy theory made me think again about the guy who'd harassed me that day. I pulled up the surveillance footage once more, this time zeroing in on the pool area.

But this time, I spotted someone I never would've expected.

It was Adam.

He was wearing a mask, hanging around the entrance like he was up to something. Then, he slipped off camera and vanished into the restroom.

I clenched my fists. He was definitely hiding something.

Just as I was about to storm out and confront Adam, someone started banging furiously on the door.

Sarah hurried to open it, only to be shoved to the ground by the person outside.

Dad barged in, with Mom trailing behind. I barely got to my feet before Dad slapped me hard across the face.

I instinctively clutched my cheek as Dad roared, "Ariel Brown! How did I end up with a disgrace of a daughter like you? Can't you wait till marriage before getting yourself pregnant?"

I glanced over Dad's shoulder and saw Adam standing there, looking all smug and self-satisfied as he watched.

Adam put on his best sad face and let out a dramatic sigh, acting pitiful. "Ariel, it's not what I wanted either, but I was so scared you'd get rid of the baby.

"I even talked to the doctor. She said your uterine lining is really thin, and if you have an abortion now, you might never be able to get pregnant again."

He'd used the exact same excuse in my previous life, marrying me in a hurry just to make sure I kept the baby.

There was no ceremony, no celebration, nothing at all. But back then, I had been ridiculously grateful, like he'd done me the biggest favor in the world.

Back then, I was convinced I owed him big time. Even when I was about to pop, I was still working her ass off, trying to make it up to him.

Looking back now, I couldn't help but think I was an idiot.

Seriously, what the hell did I ever do wrong? I didn't don't even know how the hell I ended up pregnant.

Dad's face was flushed with anger, teeth gritted. "Drop out of school and get married right now. Otherwise, when your belly gets big, wait and see how everyone laughs at you!"

Adam quickly stepped in, trying to sound reasonable. "Mr. Brown, please calm down. Ariel can pause her studies and marry me first. My mom can take care of the baby, so she won't have to deal with all the stress."

Sarah handed me an ice pack for my cheek, but I sat down and said coldly, "Who said I'm getting married? I'm not."

Dad's eyes went wide, his finger trembling as he pointed at me. "So what are you planning to do? Are you thinking about an abortion?"

Mom was crying, her words coming out between sobs. "What did our family do to deserve this? How could you get pregnant before marriage? If you don't marry Adam, who else would have you now?"

I let out a bitter, sarcastic laugh. "I'll marry the real father of the baby. Who told you Adam Greene was the dad?"

Mom's tears dried up instantly, and Dad's angry face froze in shock.

I continued coldly, "Adam is impotent. There's no way he could ever get me pregnant."

Adam's expression soured as he shot me a glare. "Are you out of your mind? It's not like you've seen me naked. What makes you think I'm impotent?"

Mom blurted out, "So the baby really isn't his?"

Adam's jaw dropped as he finally realized he'd walked right into my trap.

Adam blurted out, "Mr. and Mrs. Brown, even if the baby isn't mine, I'm still willing to marry Ariel. I won't hold it against her or the kid."

I rolled my eyes. "Are you seriously this clueless? We broke up ages ago. If I ever get married, it'll be to the actual dad."

Adam snapped, gritting his teeth, "Then go ahead. Tell everyone whose baby it is. Come on, do you dare say it?"

I paused, and Sarah quickly stepped in to defuse the situation, gently patting my shoulder. "Let's all take a breath and talk this through."

My gaze lingered on Sarah's hand, and I was momentarily stunned.