Chapter 28: argument
A fourteen-year-old mother.
He said she couldn't. He said he would be heartbroken.
...
After becoming estranged from his son, Gu Mother rarely visited. But now, things had changed. Early in the morning, dozens of women of various ages followed behind Gu Mother.
"Mom, don't go too far. My tolerance has its limits!" Gu Ao glared fiercely at the group of people behind his mother.
"Diet, prenatal education—these all need to be prepared in advance. I specially invited people. This child is now the only heir of our Gu family and cannot be treated casually. As your mother, I have an obligation to ensure the safe birth of this child."
"Get out, all of you!" Gu Ao roared angrily at the crowd.
When he was young, his mother became disabled for life while saving him. He lived with guilt and self-blame. If it weren't for his mischief, there wouldn't have been that car accident. Over the years, he tried to accommodate his mother as much as possible. She threatened him with her life to get him married, and he complied, but in the end, it turned out to be a scam. He was furious; no one had the right to deceive him, including his parents.
"I talked to that girl. If you really like her, I won't oppose you keeping her, as long as she can bear offspring for our Gu family. If it's a boy, that would be even better. Her status is lowly, but that's not a big problem..." Ignoring her son's dark expression, Gu Mother continued speaking.
"My father has been abroad for years with another woman, and you didn't mind, instead covering up for him. Now you're still thinking about continuing the Gu family lineage. Mom, you are truly great." Gu Ao sneered contemptuously at his own mother. In the past, he sympathized with her, but now her actions seemed merely selfish, just wanting to experience being a grandmother.
"How... how can you say such things about me!?" Gu Mother raised her hand in disbelief, pointing at Gu Ao. Such words coming from her own son were unimaginable.
From the corner of the staircase, Gu Dandan heard the argument and couldn't help but come downstairs to see what was happening. The tense atmosphere between mother and son made her hesitate to move forward.
"Child, come here," Gu Mother waved at Gu Dandan, signaling her to approach. "Tell me, are you willing to give birth to a child for the Gu family?"
"She doesn't want to! I won't allow it!" Gu Ao interrupted his mother harshly.
"If you don't let her give birth, what do you plan to do? If you just wanted to play around, you should have taken precautions from the beginning. How old is she, and you let her carry your child? You can disrespect me as your mother, but don't forget, what's inside her belly is your own flesh and blood."
Gu Ao held Gu Dandan's frail shoulders and kissed her pale cheeks tenderly in front of his mother, his cold gaze piercing straight through her. "My woman doesn't need your concern."
With that, he carried her upstairs. Gu Dandan looked back at Gu Mother with confusion and then nestled her face against Gu Ao's shoulder submissively.
...
Gu Dandan gently stroked her small belly. Although Gu Mother didn't like her, it was clear she was eagerly anticipating the child in her womb.
"This child..." she whispered softly, unsure how Gu Ao would handle the situation.
Gu Ao's warm palm slipped under her clothes, gently caressing her flat abdomen. Such a fragile body was carrying their child. Lowering his head, he kissed her fair skin tenderly. An electric current immediately surged through Gu Dandan's body, coursing wildly through her veins.
"Dandan, let's terminate the pregnancy. I will be with you, okay? Be good." Unbuttoning her clothes, Gu Ao kissed her beautiful body gently and passionately, leaving indelible red marks wherever his lips touched.
"Yes," she nodded. Whatever he said, she would follow. "I... I'm scared. Will it hurt?"
Gu Ao affectionately sealed her trembling lips with a kiss, knowing that even one kiss could drain her completely. Abortion—how could such a fragile person endure it?
Apart from kissing and caressing her, he didn't know how else to calm her chaotic, anxious heart.
"It will be fine. I promise. Sleep now. We'll go to the hospital tomorrow."
"Yes."
In the middle of the night, Gu Dandan lay awake, her eyes unfocused, drifting somewhere in the moonlight. The darkness outside mirrored her inner turmoil.
"Why aren't you sleeping?" Gu Ao half-lifted himself and affectionately rubbed her black hair.
"Gu... Gu Ao, I... I want to ask you something..."
"Dandan, I don't like it when you stutter, you know?"
Gu Ao leaned closer, his hot breath hovering between them. She was afraid of him, still afraid of him. Gu Ao felt a hint of displeasure. Gu Dandan sighed dejectedly, her eyes wandering everywhere, avoiding Gu Ao's sharp gaze.
"Go ahead, what do you want to ask?" Gu Ao cupped Gu Dandan's burning cheek, the warmth from his fingers instantly making her flush.
"The child... is mine, so... you don't want it, right?" She had pondered this question all night, afraid to ask, more afraid of hearing his answer.
Anger and pain alternated in Gu Ao's heart. Almost gritting his teeth, he whispered in her ear, "Gu Dandan, you can be a little more patient!"
His temper was unpredictable. She couldn't predict or understand it. Often, before she could react, he would put on a frightening face. She shrank her neck, frowning deeply.
"Your mom seems... seems to really want this child."
"Gu Dandan!" He cared for her, he was heartbroken for her. Could he not afford to raise a child? But he couldn't bear to burden her with these responsibilities. Taking her body meant many things were no longer so simple.
Suddenly, he had a terrifying and crazy thought... he wanted not only her body but also her heart, her entire life, and perhaps... he could give her the title of "Mrs. Gu," making her officially his woman...
"Sleep!" Gu Ao turned over and lay down without saying another word.
Knowing he was angry, Gu Dandan timidly moved closer to him, not daring to speak more, her head constantly rubbing against Gu Ao's body, trying to rest on his arm. "Gu... Gu Ao."
Seeing her awkward movements, Gu Ao's anger instantly dissipated. His little stutterer had this special ability...
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