Married for three years without having kids, my wife and I decided to try IVF. After a year, we were thrilled to learn she was expecting quadruplets. The pregnancy was challenging. She was nauseous for months, and her belly grew enormous. The doctor recommended reducing the number of fetuses, but my wife was adamant. “Declan, these are all our children. I can’t bear to lose any of them.” Seeing her exhaustion broke my heart. I promised to protect her and our children for the rest of my life. At six months pregnant, my wife and her friends had a playful bet about the babies’ genders. In the end, it turned out to be three boys and one girl, and my wife won a million-dollar bet. Later, I accidentally overheard a conversation between Fiona and her friends. “Fiona, you’ve outdone yourself. You’ve got Declan raising kids for four different men.” Fiona responded calmly, “Since I can’t give them the title of ‘Mr. Shen,’ I had to give them a child. Declan’s in that role, so it’s his responsibility.” A chill ran down my spine. It turns out, none of the four babies my wife is carrying are mine. “Fiona, you’re incredible, solving all problems with four kids.” Cora added, “Yeah, the fathers of these kids are all stunningly handsome. The children will surely be beautiful.” She sighed, “Jasper was such a loss. He was the heartthrob of our school, but who knew he’d succumb to a terminal illness so soon? Thankfully, Fiona is kind enough to leave him a child, just waiting to be born.” “Gideon adored Fiona for nearly twenty years, loved her but never won her heart. He only wanted a child with her.” Another voice joined in, “Too bad Fiona only has Asher in her heart. So she came up with this IVF plan to stay faithful to Asher while giving them all children.” “I wonder how Declan will react when he finds out? None of the babies Fiona is carrying are his. He’ll be devastated, right?” Fiona answered nonchalantly, “What does it matter if he knows? He shouldn’t have taken a role that wasn’t his.” The others chuckled, “True, even if he finds out, he’ll still take care of the kids. After all, they’re Fiona’s children. Declan went through so much to marry Fiona, enduring everything. No matter how upset he gets, he’d rush back the moment Fiona calls.” Their laughter dripped with malice and mockery. Standing behind the door, I felt a cold shiver travel from my feet to my head. What does this mean? The babies my wife is carrying aren’t mine? For months, I’d talk to them every night, pressing my ear against her belly. Her feet were so swollen she couldn’t walk, and I’d spend an hour each day massaging them. She had no appetite and was often sick, so I cooked and made soups just to help her eat more. I felt for her during the pregnancy, caring for her day and night, even quitting my job. But now they’re telling me the babies aren’t mine? The conversation in the living room carried on, but I couldn’t hear any more of it. I knew Jasper. We went to the same school. He was Fiona’s first love. I heard he died of a terminal illness not long ago, and I felt a pang of sympathy. — I never imagined that even after his death, my wife would be carrying his child. It’s so absurd that it’s hard to believe, a fear I can’t describe creeping up my spine. I struggled to control myself, stopping from immediately bursting out. Outside, they began another round of betting on the babies’ genders. Fiona’s voice occasionally pierced through, making me shiver. Four years of marriage, and I never truly knew my partner. I thought of my wife’s belly, so large it seemed it could burst at any moment, with four babies inside. One is Jasper’s, another is Gideon’s. Who are the other two? I also knew Gideon. He and Fiona grew up together like childhood sweethearts. Loved but never had her. Looking at it this way, Fiona is indeed kind. She didn’t give her heart, so she gave him a child. I suddenly laughed, but it looked worse than crying. If Fiona wanted to give them kids, why make me their dad? The funniest part is, none of the four kids are mine. How could she be so cruel… I clenched my fists, my lips bleeding from biting them. I once believed Fiona endured the hardship of pregnancy out of love for me. Turns out, it was all fake. — Outside, voices rose and fell, so lively. “I bet two boys and two girls.” “I bet all four are boys.” Then a clear male voice spoke up: “Why does everyone say boys? I think girls are great. I bet three girls and one boy.” Turning to Fiona, he asked, “Fiona, do you prefer boys or girls?” The voice was familiar, probably Fiona’s secretary. Fiona answered nonchalantly, “I like both. Boys are better, girls are too delicate.” Cora pressed, “So, Fiona, which do you bet on?” “Asher likes girls, so I’ll bet three boys and one girl.” Asher? So it’s him. I managed a bitter smile. They were flirting under my nose, and I had no clue. I don’t know if they acted too well or if I was just blind. Asher’s voice rang out, “Girls need to be raised delicately.” Fiona laughed, taking his hand. “I think you’re more delicate than a girl. You cried when you burned your hand cooking.” “But it really hurt.” Asher added, remembering something: “Oh right, Declan never seemed to cry. Last time, he fell down the stairs protecting you, broke his leg, and didn’t shed a tear. Has he never cried?” Fiona casually said, “Declan’s tough, doesn’t feel pain. He really hasn’t cried. Unlike you, who cries over a scratch.” Cora chimed in, “That’s because Asher has Fiona’s love. With love, you can afford to be fragile. Without, you just have to tough it out like Declan.” “Yeah, Fiona cares for Asher, worried about him being tired and sleepless with the kids. So she tricked Declan into thinking they’re his, making him a proud dad.” “I’ve noticed Declan looks older these days. By the time Fiona has all four kids, who knows what he’ll be like.” Chapter 3 “If you were lying naked on the bed, Fiona wouldn’t even glance at you. But now…” Their words were crude, punctuated by vulgar laughter that nauseated me. I stumbled back a few steps, my face already pale. I’m human too—how could I not fear pain? But knowing Fiona was carrying my child, I endured everything. Even when she hit or yelled at me, I never uttered a sound of protest. Yet all my endurance was met with comments about my thick skin. I still remember the day the IVF succeeded. Holding her hand, I was filled with worry. “You’ve suffered for our child, Fiona.” When she couldn’t eat due to nausea, I fed her spoonful by spoonful. “Be good, don’t trouble your mom.” Turns out, I was concerned about the wrong person all along. I was just a tool to raise these kids. “I heard pregnancy makes you feel more intense, even more than a non-pregnant woman. Fiona, is that true?” Asher glanced at Fiona apologetically. “Really, I’m almost drained by Fiona.” “Well, that’s because Fiona likes you. Look, she’s feeling so bad, yet she still doesn’t want to touch Declan.” “Hahaha, exactly, you’re not appreciating your luck.” I gritted my teeth to suppress the urge to vomit. I closed my eyes, wiping away the tears on my face. Fiona, I’m done with you this time. And I won’t raise the child in your belly either. 3 By the time I went out, Cora and the others had already left. Only Fiona and Asher were in the living room. I deliberately made some noise to give them time to cover up. I couldn’t confront them yet. Asher’s face still carried a dazed look, pretending to report work to Fiona. “Ms. Shen, there’s an urgent meeting tonight that requires your presence. The car is already waiting at the door.” He turned and saw me, pretending to be friendly: “Mr. Declan.” Then his gaze fell on my wife’s belly, with a knowing smile on his lips. “Ms. Shen’s belly looks even bigger. Mr. Declan, you are so blessed to have her pregnant with quadruplets at once.” I looked at his fake face, too drained to respond. Seeing this, Asher proposed to leave, but he glanced back at Fiona as he reached the door. It seemed like a secret signal. Fiona saw me coming from the first-floor room, frowned slightly, and tested the waters with her tone. “When did you come back? Why didn’t you make a sound?” I looked at the water stains still on her lips, my eyes stinging. It was so obvious, yet I was blind before and didn’t see a thing. I mocked myself with a slight curl of my lips, lowering my gaze. “I was too tired when I got back and fell asleep in the guest room. I just woke up.” Fiona seemed to relax, her face returning to normal. “Today’s prenatal check went smoothly. I promised to let you come along, but something came up at work.” “The doctor said the baby is healthy.” Fiona told me in detail because I usually asked thoroughly in the past.
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