She looked proud and triumphant when she saw Shawn and me fall out.
Every day, she would share stories of her and Shawn’s so-called "true love" since childhood, as if reporting her daily work.
Shawn's deep affection for her seemed half-hearted, especially after her family's fall from grace was mentioned again.
The online rumours about me as the "Fainted Girl" had been getting worse and worse lately.
Somehow, people found out I was pregnant at the time, which explained the fainting.
Though I wasn’t a famous writer, I still had some readers on social media.
The comic based on my love story with Shawn had been a surprise hit.
But then, the popular series was abruptly canceled. When I contacted the magazine for an explanation, everyone gave vague answers before hanging up.
I felt like I was caught in a storm of public opinion with a poor reputation.
Getting famous on the internet wasn’t necessarily a good thing.
My long-absent parents, following the rumors, showed up at my door.
The first thing my mother asked when she saw me was, "Are you really pregnant?"
I nodded. "Yes, I’m … "
Before I finished speaking, my father slapped me.
My left cheek burned and swelled. Then, I swallowed all the words I wanted to say.
My father's face was dark as he put his cigarette on the door, sneering, "How could our family have someone as shameless as you?"
I only opened the door and invited them in, saying, "Family scandals shouldn't be publicized. Let's talk inside."
"You're pregnant before marriage. What good deal can you still get?” My mother picked up a broom near the door, ready to hit me.
My father stopped her and asked me to explain in detail about the man I was involved with.
He wanted to see if I was still useful to him.
I needed this kind of gangster's channel to handle things.
So, I greatly exaggerated Shawn's family background when I told him.
They leisurely sat on the sofa after venting from a high moral ground.
My father said happily, "Getting involved with a man from such a good family is like a blessing for our family! Yelena, even though you have no shame, this child came at the perfect time."
He analyzed, "The Sterlings are currently splitting their inheritance. This child is practically a God-given bargaining chip for you to marry into that family."
I put on a troubled expression and humbly pleaded with him.