"Angela, I need you to keep Betty's pregnancy a secret. If the elders find out, she’ll be exiled from the capital again, just like before."
My heart sank instantly. His sudden gentleness wasn’t for me—it was for Betty.
Clyde’s eyes turned cold again as he sat closer, trying to pull me into his arms.
But the thought of Betty’s perfume and tears lingering on him made my stomach churn. I instinctively pushed him away and shifted to the farthest corner of the seat.
He stared at me with a mix of confusion and irritation. After all, in the past, if he’d so much as touched my hand, I would’ve been overjoyed for days.
Suppressing his temper, Clyde spoke again, his tone firm and matter-of-fact.
"After Betty gives birth, the child will be raised as a York. I’ll be the father, and you’ll be the mother. To reassure Betty, I’ll transfer all my property to her so she’ll never have to worry again."
"But there’s one condition. Before we gain custody of her child, we must both undergo sterilization. It’s the only way Betty will trust that we’ll truly care for the baby. After the wedding, we’ll proceed with the operation."
He wasn’t asking for my opinion—he was informing me of his plan, as though it was already decided.
Clyde seemed confident I would agree. Perhaps he thought my love for him was so deep that I’d accept anything.
I stared at him, his words echoing in my mind. He wanted to give all his assets to Betty, use my wealth to support her child, and rob me of the chance to have children of my own—all while expecting me to comply without question.
It became clear that Clyde’s supposed affection for me had always been an act for Betty’s sake. Even our marriage was likely orchestrated to provide legitimacy for her child.
But I needed him to admit it. I wanted him to say it outright. If he did, it would be like handing me the knife I needed to sever all ties with him.
I gazed into his eyes, searching for a hint of truth, and asked, "Clyde, so you married me because of Betty and her baby? In these ten years, did you ever love me? Were you ever moved by me, even a little?"
Clyde didn’t respond immediately. He sat in silence, as though seriously contemplating my question.
Then, from the back seat, Betty—eyes closed, voice faint as if in a dream—murmured, "Clyde, don’t worry. Once I give birth, I’ll disappear from your world forever."