Chapter 158
Michael looked down, feeling the weight of the situation. "I'll take responsibility. If Rachel wants to keep the baby, I'll help her raise it on the down-low. If she doesn't, I'll do whatever I can to make it right."
Joseph replied, "That's a start, but you should really talk to Rachel about this, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I know. Once Rachel decides what she wants to do about the baby, I'll tell her," Michael replied, his voice low and serious.
Joseph paused, thinking it over. "Don't wait. If you're gonna tell her, do it now. Waiting might just make her push you away."
Michael went quiet. Joseph sighed. "Alright, I've said my piece. Think about it."
The call ended, and Michael set his phone down, his eyes dark and unreadable as he mulled over Joseph's words.
Maybe Joseph was right. Sometimes, putting things off only made them worse. With that thought, Michael picked up his phone again and texted Rachel: [I know about your pregnancy.]
Rachel was going through some documents when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and saw a message from ZH, feeling a bit puzzled.
They had just talked not long ago. Why was he messaging her again? Curious, Rachel opened the message, but froze when she read it.
She clenched her hand and frowned, replying: [How did you find out?]
ZH responded: [Your friend went to see Joseph, and Joseph told me.]
Rachel suddenly got it and couldn't help but slap her forehead. She thought he had someone spying on her. It turned out that pregnancy really did make her forgetful; she hadn't even thought of that.
Rachel quickly typed: [Yeah, I'm pregnant.]
ZH replied: [Why didn't you tell me?]
Rachel frowned and texted back: [Why should I?]
Seeing her response, Michael's expression soured a bit. He replied: [Because I'm the father of the child.]
Rachel pursed her lips as she typed: [That doesn't mean I have to tell you. Our relationship was a fluke, and so is this pregnancy. We barely know each other, and I don't need you to take responsibility.]
Michael was at a loss for words, his lips pressed tightly together. Even though he knew she was right, it still didn't sit well with him.
Rubbing his temples, Michael typed: [I have to take responsibility. What are your plans for the baby? Do you want to keep it, or...?]
He hesitated for a few seconds, then clenched his fist and finished typing before hitting send. Rachel saw his question about keeping the baby, and her heart skipped a beat.
The doctor had asked her this before, but she hadn't really thought about it then, still reeling from the news of her pregnancy. But now, with the baby's father asking, she had to start taking it seriously.
Rachel bit her lower lip, her fingers trembling as she typed: [I don't know.]
Michael wasn't surprised by her answer. She hadn't been to the hospital for a check-up, so it was clear she hadn't made up her mind yet.
ZH texted back: [Take your time to think it over. If you decide to keep the baby, I'll help you raise it quietly. If not, I'll support you however I can.]
Seeing "quietly raise," Rachel narrowed her eyes and replied: [Okay, I'll think about it.]
ZH responded: [Let me know when you've made up your mind.]
Rachel smirked and turned off her phone. It was clear he had no intention of publicly acknowledging her pregnancy. Either he was married, had a girlfriend, or his family wouldn't allow an illegitimate child. But whatever the reason, it didn't change the fact that her baby was unwanted.
Rachel touched her belly and decided not to keep the baby. A child should be conceived with someone she loved. Plus, she couldn't accept having an illegitimate child.
"I'm so sorry. I'm not fit to be a mother, and you shouldn't be here. I'm sorry." Rachel clutched the fabric over her stomach, enduring the pain in her heart, and apologized to the child inside her.
Just then, the office door burst open, and John stormed in, his face full of anger.
"What's wrong?" Rachel suppressed her guilt and looked up at him.
John walked to Rachel's desk, picked up her coffee, and drank it in one gulp.
Rachel didn't have time to stop him. She thought, 'Forget it, it's just a cup of coffee. He doesn't mind that I drink from it, so why should I remind him?'
"Damn Joseph!" John slammed the empty coffee cup on the desk and cursed loudly.
Rachel blinked. "What happened to him?"
"I went to find him to make him hand over that guy, but he said the guy is abroad."
"He is abroad," Rachel repeated thoughtfully.
John snorted. "So I asked Joseph for the guy's phone number, and he gave me a disconnected one. Fuck!"
Rachel chuckled. "Joseph probably didn't do it on purpose; maybe the guy changed his number."
"Who knows, but this isn't over. I will find that guy," John said, slamming his fist on the desk.
Rachel rubbed her temples. "Alright, that guy already knows I'm pregnant. Joseph told him, and he just contacted me."
"Joseph told him?" John frowned, then got angry. "So Joseph was playing me, giving me a disconnected number. Otherwise, how could he contact the guy?"
Rachel was also stunned. She thought, 'Why would Joseph do that?'
"Damn it, that bastard Joseph!" John fumed, his fists itching, "Next time I see him, I'll make him pay for screwing me over."
"Forget it. Aren't you curious about what that guy said to me?" Rachel looked at him.
John leaned closer to Rachel. "What did he say? Did he deny it or..."
"No, he's willing to take responsibility," Rachel said.
John looked relieved. "That's more like it. That's how a man should act. But how does he plan to take responsibility?"
"John, what do you think about me having an abortion?" Rachel asked.
John's expression turned somber. "Are you serious?"
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