Silence stretched between them.
Heavy. Unforgiving.
Then Xiamen finally spoke.
Her voice was quiet, but every word trembled.
"I loved you… more than you think."
Hong Yi's fingers curled slowly.
"But I always knew," she continued, forcing herself to meet his eyes,
"that you didn't love me."
Her lips curved into a bitter smile.
"You despised me."
The word hit like a blade.
"So when you asked for the divorce," she said softly,
"I agreed. For your happiness."
Hong Yi's breath stilled.
"You gave me contraceptives," Xiamen went on, her voice breaking.
"And I took them. Because I knew you didn't want a child with me. Not my child."
Tears slid down her cheeks.
"But then… a miracle happened."
Her hand pressed over her heart.
"When I found out I was pregnant with Haoyu, I was so happy.
Because he was yours."
She laughed weakly through her tears.
"I thought… if I couldn't have your love, at least I could give your child all of mine."
Her shoulders shook.
"I gave him everything. Warmth. Safety. Happiness.
Because I love you… and because he carries you."
Her voice dropped, fragile.
"But after coming here… after seeing you with him…"
Xiamen swallowed hard.
"I realized something."
She lifted her tear-filled eyes to Hong Yi.
"He needs more than just my love."
"He needs a father."
"A father who protects him. Who stands beside him."
Her voice cracked completely.
"I don't want my child to grow up with a childhood like mine."
The room went utterly still.
Hong Yi didn't move.
Didn't speak
Hong Yi's chest tightened painfully.
Guilt crushed down on him, heavy and suffocating.
"I'm sorry," he said hoarsely.
"I never did anything to you on purpose. I swear."
He lifted his eyes to her, filled with regret.
"I only ever wanted your happiness."
His voice trembled as years of misunderstanding spilled out.
"I thought… your marriage to me wasn't by your choice. I believed you were forced into it."
Xiamen froze.
"I knew your father," Hong Yi continued bitterly.
"I knew he could do anything for money. And I thought… maybe that's why he married you to me."
His fists clenched.
"So I was afraid."
His lips curved into a sad smile.
"When I saw you for the first time…"
His voice softened.
"I fell in love with you right then."
Xiamen's breath hitched.
"You captivated me at first sight." i feel I see a fairy but when I know your prepared you for me I know , you don't love me so i want to give you freedom ...
His eyes burned, honest and vulnerable.
"But I never said it," he whispered.
"Because I thought… you didn't love me."
Silence crashed over them.
Two hearts laid bare. Two truths spoken too late.
And between them— a child born from love neither of them knew how to confess.