16 Chapter 16
The thought of how he had hurt Sherry for a fake savior, for a criminal, was agonizing. He wiped away his tears, his eyes hardening with resolve. O
Despair consumed Albert. He didn’t want to dwell on Krista’s deceit. He just wanted to end this and make things right with Sherry. “Get rid of the baby.”
Albert froze. Two weeks ago?! A tidal wave of grief washed over him. Sherry had known about the pregnancy all along. That explained why she left, why she was so calm. And he, like an idiot, hadn’t noticed a thing.
The reality of Sherry’s departure and the crushing guilt he felt made him snap. He yanked his hand away, his voice erupting in a roar. “The person who saved my mom was Sherry! The lies stop now! The police already have proof!”
Albert’s gaze was cold and distant. “Never. Don’t contact me again.”
Albert closed his eyes, his heart shattering. “Krista, you were the one who started that fire six years ago.”
Seeing Albert’s anguish, Krista knew she couldn’t hide it anymore. Back then, consumed by jealousy over Albert’s affection for Sherry, she had impulsively set the fire, never imagining it would get so out of hand. She had fled in a panic, only to run into Albert at the hospital and seize the opportunity to take the credit.
Albert was bringing up the past, exposing her. She forced a calm, gentle smile and reached for his hand. “Albert, what are you talking about?”
And somewhere along the way, buried deep beneath his own obliviousness, he had fallen in love with Sherry.
Krista’s pupils constricted. She started to tremble.
It was only then that he realized someone could truly love so consistently, so completely.
But Albert’s mind was flooded with images of Sherry: the girl who quietly followed him at school, the woman who cared for him when he was sick. He had initially gotten together with Sherry out of curiosity about a long-term crush, not deep affection.
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But after five years, he had seen her kindness and her unwavering care.
She had planned to leverage the lie to get closer to him. However, after receiving a suspended sentence for the arson, she had vanished, not daring to show her face again until six months ago, after her car accident, when she contacted Albert again.
Krista explained incoherently, “Albert, I just… I love you so much.”
As Albert turned to leave, Krista grabbed him desperately. “Albert, we’ve been together for six months. Don’t you have any feelings for me at all?”
He would annul this sham marriage. He would not let Krista keep the child. He would find Sherry, apologize to her, and make up for twenty years of neglect.
Krista panicked. The child was her only bargaining chip.
“No! It’s a life. You’re the father, how could you say that? Besides, Sherry knew I was pregnant two weeks ago. Your wedding is probably off anyway. With my child, at least your family will have an heir.”
