Hidden Marriage Chapter 2: The Stranger’s Bastard

"Let me lay out the truth for you right away! The wine you drank that night was spiked by me. Burning with desire and frustration, I arranged two fine men for you. Little did I know you'd spurn my good intentions? You actually burst into a stranger's room and violated him…" Ning Xueluo spat out in revulsion. "Brother Yan is way too soft-hearted and compassionate; when you awoke, he worried you couldn't handle the facts, so he claimed it was him from that night!"

"You…" Ning Xi began shaking violently upon hearing this. She could no longer contain herself and seized Ning Xueluo's arm. "Why would you do this to me? Why?! Haven't you ruined me enough already?"

Ning Xueluo wrinkled her forehead, and right as she moved to shove Ning Xi off, she spotted Su Yan coming up behind Ning Xi. Her tone instantly turned gentle, her face shifting to one of misery, "Older Sister, I admit I'm at fault. If you wish to strike or scold, direct it at me—please don't fault Brother Yan…"

Ning Xi froze for a moment, and the instant after, Ning Xueluo toppled to the ground like Ning Xi had shoved her.

"Ning Xi! What on earth are you—" A voice accused from behind her.

Ning Xi whipped around to face a scowling Su Yan.

Su Yan swept past her and lifted Ning Xueluo to her feet. "Xueluo, are you okay?"

Ning Xueluo leaned her full weight into Su Yan. "Brother Yan, I didn't intend it, I truly regret my actions… it's all because I hurt Older Sister…"

"Stop it! Don't fault yourself. Whatever occurs, I'm here for you!" Su Yan stroked her shoulder while guiding her to the car. "I'll sort things out with Ning Xi."

Ning Xi stood there dazed as she watched Su Yan march over and begin to speak.

He talked at length.

He recounted their shared past and joyful early years. He described the torment of falling for Ning Xueluo. He vented his rage upon learning of Ning Xueluo's plot against Ning Xi. He shared his shock and remorse over Ning Xi's pregnancy. He explained accepting Ning Xueluo's plea for forgiveness…

Finally, he declared, "Ning Xi, forgive me. I won't marry you—not due to that night or the child I don't desire—but because I won't betray Xueluo, and I refuse to deceive my own heart."

For months, he and Ning Xueluo had journeyed abroad, inseparable day and night, making parting even tougher now. Though he'd first planned to soften Ning Xi's agony by acting as if they'd been intimate, deep down, his choice was Ning Xueluo.

Thus, upon discovering Ning Xi's pregnancy, he rushed straight to the Ning family to confess all to the Second Master. Yet he'd withheld the truth from Ning Xi personally.

"So you're saying… Su Yan… you knew from the beginning it was Ning Xueluo who drugged me and destroyed my purity? All to shield her, you lied and said you were the one that night?" Ning Xi regained her voice at last, staring blankly at Su Yan.

"Ning Xi, Xueluo didn't intend harm. She's young and prone to rashness…"

"And what of me?" Ning Xi gazed desperately at Su Yan. "Didn't you ever think about my suffering?"

Su Yan stayed silent, and after a prolonged quiet, he extended his hand toward Ning Xi's. "The sun's blazing; let's head back home…"

"Get away from me—" Ning Xi smacked his hand off and burst into laughter.

The entirety of Ning Xi's life so far struck her as one massive farce.

To be with Su Yan, she'd strived to enter B University and relocate to his city.

For Su Yan, she'd forsaken her acting ambitions.

To align their social standings, she'd rejected her foster parents to rejoin the Ning family, foolishly currying favor with those elite circles.

All her sacrifices yielded only: "I cannot wrong Xueluo."

Ning Xueluo had seized not just her identity and biological parents, but now… even the man she cherished above all. Ning Xueluo was youthful… yet how could such acts be excused? If forgiven, whom could she hold accountable for her ruined fate? She didn't even know the stranger from that night!

Ning Xi buried her face in her hands, trembling fiercely, as despair overwhelmed her completely.

Su Yan observed Ning Xi wandering aimlessly into the street, ready to pursue her, when Ning Xueluo yanked his sleeve from behind. "Brother Yan, where to?"

In that split-second doubt from Su Yan, a deafening crash rang out; Ning Xi flew backward onto the pavement, slamming down harshly.

"Someone help! A pregnant woman's been struck!"

Amid the glaring brightness, Ning Xi vaguely discerned two figures and faces that sickened her. Her abdomen twisted in agony, and as pain consumed her, consciousness faded. She blinked once, blood from her brow seeping into her eyes… plunging her into utter blackness.