Chapter 3

"What! Pregnant? Is it true?" I froze.

"Of course it's true, just past six weeks!" My son beamed with joy.

Walter stood up from the sofa too, staring at Hildegarde's belly in delighted surprise.

"Old girl, we're finally getting a grandson! Oh my! This is truly wonderful news!"

Lucas and Hildegarde had been married for twelve years without a child.

At first, Hildegarde said Robert was still young, and she was afraid I wouldn't be able to handle a child on my own.

Later, when Robert went off to college, I gently brought it up once, hoping the two of them would have a child while they were still young.

But Hildegarde said she didn't want to be a breeding machine, that her career was on the rise, and told me not to pressure her.

After that, I never dared to mention it again.

Now that she was suddenly pregnant, Walter and I were both overjoyed.

"Is there anything you'd like to eat? Mom will make it for you!" I rubbed my hands together, looking at Hildegarde with hopeful eyes.

Lucas cleared his throat twice. "Mom, quit with the useless stuff. Hurry up and hand over three hundred thousand to your daughter-in-law!"

My face changed in an instant. So that was it — they came back today for money after all, and this child was just the bargaining chip.

I gave a cold laugh. "You came back today just to ask me for money?"

Hildegarde said nothing, only stroked her belly.

Lucas started to get worked up. "Mom, Hildegarde is at least carrying our family's child now. Down the line she'll give you two a grandson — how great is that?"

"She only wants the bride gift she's owed. What's wrong with that? Why do you have to be so overbearing?"

Overbearing, me? I don't want to hand over my own money, and that makes me overbearing?

Besides, Hildegarde didn't want this money for their little family, or to raise the child.

She wanted it as the bride gift for her younger brother to marry a wife.

This was flat-out treating us two old folks like suckers, a pure ATM machine.

"I've said it — we are not paying this money!" My tone was firm.

"Mom! Hildegarde is pregnant!" Lucas's voice shot up.

Hildegarde also stared at me in disbelief. She had assumed that once she was pregnant, I would obey her every word.

She slowly rose to her feet and looked at me, stunned. "Mom, think it over carefully before you speak. If you won't give the money, then I don't plan to keep this child!"

Walter grew tense and tugged at my sleeve. "Louisa..."

I let out a long sigh. "Suit yourself. The child is the two of yours. Whether you keep it or not is none of our business!"

"Mom! Are you out of your mind?!" Lucas roared as he rushed over.

"This is my son, your grandson! How can you not want him?"

"I didn't say not to keep him — your wife is the one who said it. Children and grandchildren have their own fate. Your father and I will never meddle in your affairs!" I said with a smile.

Hildegarde was breathing hard, her eyes blazing as she glared at me.

The next second, she grabbed her bag, turned, and left.

The door slammed shut, and Walter and I looked at each other.

The next day, Hildegarde posted a video on her social media feed.

The background was the fully paid-off wedding home I had bought for them, with the caption: There's nothing much your big sister can do to help you, so let me give you a house!