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I had planned to divorce Amanda and make her bear a debt of five million dollars because I had calculated that she should have savings of more than five million dollars over the past few years.
Six million three hundred thousand dollars.This was definitely all her savings!
How could this be?I was a bit confused.Was Amanda really not after my money?Was she really just in love with Kevin?But Kevin clearly hadn't divorced Lily now.
If we calculate the time,if the child Amanda was carrying, had it not been aborted, should have been born by now.
Coming out of the bank, I had a very ugly expression on my face, and I had a nagging feeling that something was wrong.
"I want to see Kevin!"Back in the city, without hesitation, I drove to Lotus Flower Community.This was the address I had asked the detective agency to find out on the way.
Although Kevin and Lily were still married,he had been temporarily evicted from their home.Lotus Flower Community was his temporary residence.
This was the first time I had met Kevin since the hospital examination a few months ago.
In comparison to a few months ago,Kevin appeared significantly more haggard now.And I saw a lot of baby supplies in his house.
Did Amanda give birth, and is she also living here?My face darkened.
"Mr.Smith,please come in,"Kevin said when he saw me.He didn't show any surprise or panic.Instead,he seemed to heave a sigh of relief.
"Aren't you afraid to see me?To tell you the truth,it was me who arranged for Lily to catch you in the act and those reporters,"I said.
Upon hearing my words,Kevin forced a bitter smile across his face."The past is behind us now, Mr.Smith.Today,I have a story to share with you."
Kevin's unwavering calmness caused me to furrow my brow in confusion.And the story he told next directly shattered my heart!
The story started with Amanda.A year ago,Amanda,who had a deep desire to become a mother,accidentally discovered my physical condition.
Then she found Kevin and asked about the possibility of artificial insemination.
Kevin clearly told Amanda that there was a chance,although the possibility was very small.
But Amanda was still determined to try.She was prepared to endure the pain of artificial insemination several times.
However,during the subsequent physical examination,Amanda was informed that there were underlying health issue with her body.
Even if she didn't become pregnant, her life expectancy was only a few more years.
If she insisted on undergoing artificial insemination,the risk of death during childbirth would be exceedingly high!
Naturally,the hospital refused to approve the procedure.But Amanda's heartfelt pleading touched Kevin’s heart.
Kevin discreetly assisted Amanda in her endeavor. After several artificial inseminations,Amanda successfully got pregnant.
Hearing this,I closed my eyes in pain.No wonder Amanda had been so enthusiastic during that period.
It was to obtain enough sperm without my knowledge.No wonder I often saw Amanda looking pale during that time.It was all for me!
Afraid that I would stop her if I knew the truth,Amanda and Kevin had been hiding it from me.But this had made me suspicious.
"How could this happen?How could this be possible..."I clutched my hair in anguish, tears welling up in my eyes.
"That's how it is,"Kevin said.After telling the whole story,he looked much more relaxed.In the whole thing,he was probably the most innocent person.
"Where's Amanda?I want to see her!Where is she?"I grabbed Kevin's shoulders and shouted.
"You're too late.Come with me,"Kevin stood up and walked towards the house.I followed him like a walking corpse.
Inside the inner room of the house, a chubby baby girl lay peacefully in her crib.
My vision blurred with tears.This was my child.It was the child that Amanda had risked her life to bring into the world for me.But I had misunderstood her.
"This is your daughter.Miss Amanda named her Sophie,"Kevin said.
At that moment,I completely lost control and collapsed to the ground in a heap.
Clenching my fists tightly,I frantically pounded my head in despair.I wanted to cry out loud,but I was afraid of waking up the child in the baby's crib.
I curled up on the ground,my appearance reflecting the weight of a decade's worth of sorrow. Kevin stood aside,not knowing how to comfort me.
Half an hour later,Kevin gently carried the child and led me to Amanda's grave.
This was the plot of land Amanda had purchased before her passing.It was in the corner of the cemetery,and the price should not be high.
In front of Amanda's grave,I sank to my knees and tears streamed down my face. Pressing my head against the cold tombstone, I felt a sense of dazed confusion wash over me.
As I knelt there, a vision of Amanda seemed to appear before me, her voice echoing in my mind: “Husband, don't be sad. I don't blame you. Take good care of Sophie in the future!”
She looked at me with tear-filled eyes but smiled brightly.
I knew this was just an illusion.That charming and beautiful woman would never reappear.
Waa...I didn't know how long I had been kneeling.It was not until Sophie started crying that I snapped out of my daze.
I took Sophie from Kevin's hands.Looking at Sophie,whose features so closely resembled Amanda's,I realized it was too late for regrets.Only by taking good care of Sophie could I honor Amanda's sacrifice.
Seeing me take Sophie away,Kevin heaved a sigh of relief.
He had fulfilled his promise to Amanda.Now that I was aware of everything,Kevin could go and explain the situation to Lily.
Later,I took Sophie to Amanda's parents'house.
I knelt down in front of them and recounted the entire story.Amanda's parents were in tears.
They didn't hit me or scold me.They knew that this was Amanda's choice.
I took care of Sophie and watched her grow up day by day.She looked more and more like Amanda,so incredibly cute...