Walking Away While Pregnant: Dear Ex-Husband, I Don't Love You Anymore

Chapter 137: Chapter 137

Dylan stared at Elise, a complex shadow swirling in the depths of his eyes.

"I know my sister-in-law dragged you into this," he said, his voice heavy. "But she only became like this because my older brother passed away. She’s been abroad alone all these years, without Robin by her side. It hasn’t been easy for her to hold it together..."

"Fleur’s hardships are not my doing!" Elise interrupted coldly. "Even if there’s a debt owed, it’s your family that owes her, not me. Dylan, I’ve already told you: I have no issue with you stepping in for your brother to take care of her and make amends. Even if you divorced me tomorrow and married her right away, I wouldn’t say a word."

Dylan frowned. "Elise, she’s my sister-in-law. I’m only helping out and looking after her and Robin on my brother’s behalf. How many times do I have to explain this to you?"

"You don’t need to explain. Frankly, I don’t care how you treat Fleur." Elise’s voice was ice-cold. "But mark my words: I don’t owe her a single thing. It would have been best if she had minded her own business, but she’s the one who provoked me first. How this ends is entirely up to me."

With that, Elise ignored him, turned on her heel, and walked straight back into the house.

Dylan watched her resolute silhouette recede, his brow furrowed tight, his eyes dark with unreadable emotions.

Inside the dining room, only Alexander and Mrs. Shaw remained.

The staff had already finished eating and gone back to work. Robin and Lily were also full, and Josh had taken them to play in the guesthouse’s backyard.

Mrs. Shaw and Alexander were chatting when they saw Elise walk in. Both turned to look at her simultaneously.

"Elise, come over and have some breakfast. Mr. Hayes saved some just for you," Mrs. Shaw said, waving her over.

"Okay," Elise smiled, walking over.

Alexander pulled out a chair for her, his voice gentle. "Sit down first. The porridge is still warm, I’ll go get it from the kitchen."

Elise gave him a soft smile. "Thank you."

"Still being polite with me?"

Elise paused, then sighed helplessly. "Force of habit."

Alexander smiled, said nothing more, and headed toward the kitchen.

Taking advantage of the moment alone, Mrs. Shaw lowered her voice. "Did you clear things up with Mr. Bennett?"

Elise took the soy milk Mrs. Shaw handed her. "It’s not a matter of clearing things up between us. Our values clash. We simply can’t live together anymore."

"Ah, well..." Mrs. Shaw scratched her forehead. "That does sound pretty serious."

"I didn’t expect them to hound me all the way here, either." Elise took a sip of the soy milk and set the cup down. "The online smear campaign was his sister-in-law maliciously slandering me. He’s afraid I’ll retaliate, so he brought the child along to beg for mercy on her behalf."

Mrs. Shaw was left speechless.

Though the argument outside hadn’t been explosive, the few of them eating inside had caught the gist of it. Even without knowing the full story, Mrs. Shaw could tell from the conversation that Dylan was constantly defending this sister-in-law of his. Hearing Elise confirm it now, she was certain that Dylan’s sister-in-law was trouble.

Glancing around, Mrs. Shaw lowered her voice again. "So, what do you plan to do now?"

Elise paused in peeling her hard-boiled egg.

She lifted her gaze, a cold smile playing on her lips. "No rush. Even if Dylan took down the posts criticizing me, Fleur is clearly targeting me. She’ll definitely make another move."

Mrs. Shaw watched Elise, trying to catch a flicker of anger in her eyes.

But there was none. Elise was entirely calm.

She peeled the boiled egg methodically, without any haste. Once finished, she took a bite, chewing slowly and elegantly.

It was as if the online drama and Dylan’s sudden appearance couldn’t stir a single ripple of emotion in her heart.

This was either the reaction of someone who had never loved at all, or someone whose love had turned to deep-seated resentment—the kind of extreme resentment where love burns out entirely, leaving behind nothing but cold ashes that could never be reignited.

Mrs. Shaw noted Elise’s absolute serenity.

There was no need to ask further; she firmly believed that Elise fell into the latter category.

"Do you plan on going back to North City in the future?"

"I haven’t considered it for now," Elise replied. "Once my third sister arrives next week, I’ll start working. I haven’t thought about going to other cities either, mostly because I really love the environment here. If possible, I’d like to settle down here for a few years."

Elise brought the peeled hard-boiled egg to her lips, took a bite, and washed it down with a sip of soy milk.

"That’s perfect! You can just live here with me and keep me company. When the baby is born, I can even help you look after it!"

Hearing this, Elise smiled faintly. "With Mrs. Shaw providing such excellent hospitality, I want to leave even less."

"Then stay, stay!" Mrs. Shaw blinked at her with a grin, then added, "By the way, that boy calls Mr. Bennett ’Dad’ but calls you ’Godmother’—what’s the story behind that?"

"Robin is the child of his older brother and sister-in-law."

Elise paused for a moment before adding, "But five years ago, behind my back, he used our names as a married couple to adopt the child under our household register. A while ago, his sister-in-law returned to the country, and he took her and Robin back to the Bennett residence to officially register him into the family genealogy."

"However, Robin should still legally be registered under our household. Which means that until Dylan and I officially finalize our divorce proceedings, that child is legally still my adopted son."

"...Wait a second, I’m a bit confused. Let me process this!"

Mrs. Shaw furrowed her brow and muttered to herself for a moment before she finally untangled the thoughts.

"So, biologically speaking, the child should call Mr. Bennett ’Uncle.’ But Mr. Bennett adopted the child under the guise of foster parents, meaning that legally speaking, he is actually your child right now?"

"Yes." Elise nodded.

"This dynamic is way too messy!" Mrs. Shaw frowned. "Did Mr. Bennett not even consult you when he adopted the child back then?"

"No," Elise said. "Because at that time, he felt that my emotions were unstable and that I wouldn’t make a fit mother. So for the past five years, I had absolutely no idea I had an adopted son. Robin grew up accompanied by him and another woman."

Mrs. Shaw was left completely speechless.

What kind of twisted, backward logic was that?!

Before Mrs. Shaw could press any further, Alexander walked over carrying the porridge along with two freshly cooked side dishes.

"I just made an omelet and a small salad. Mrs. Shaw grew all the vegetables herself—it’s organic, so a pregnant woman should eat plenty of it."

Elise looked at the dishes Alexander placed on the table, pleasantly surprised.

She looked up at him, her eyes curving into a warm smile. "I was actually just craving something fresh. Mr. Hayes, you are so considerate and thoughtful—no wonder Lily always says you’re the number one dad in the universe."

Alexander looked at Elise and smiled warmly. "Lily always keeps you in mind. She even told me to treat you better. The teacher probably told a story about it at daycare, because ever since she found out you were pregnant, she often says that every mom goes through a lot of hardships when carrying a baby. She also said we’re a family, so I must treat you well."

Elise was somewhat surprised. She hadn’t expected Lily to care for and worry about her so much.

A wave of warmth continuously spread through her heart, thoroughly dispelling the chill that Dylan had brought with him.

Elise looked down and gently stroked her stomach. "Because of Lily, I suddenly really hope this baby is a girl."

"I get it!" Mrs. Shaw laughed. "A daughter is like a cozy little security blanket. And you know what? I have a feeling this baby is a girl!"

Elise raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Want to make a bet?" Mrs. Shaw smiled. "I bet it’s a girl!"

"I bet it’s a girl too," Alexander chimed in.

Elise laughed. "Then the bet’s off, because I think it’s a girl too."

With that, the three exchanged smiles.

Just then, Josh walked in, leading a child with each hand.

He looked at the three laughing and talking at the dining table, clearing his throat lightly. "The man left, but he left the kid behind."