apter 2
Chapter 2
The next morning, I was jolted awake by another wave of nausea and immediately scrambled to the bathroom.
While I was dry–heaving over the toilet several times, Ryder came racing out of the bedroom.
“Still feeling sick, babe? I’ll go get you some medicine right now!”
With that, he dashed out in such a panic that he even forgot to take his phone from the nightstand.
Right on cue, his phone started buzzing non–stop.
After wiping my mouth, I picked up his phone and saw a group chat with four members.
A girl with the username “MADO” was firing off messages:
[Rise and shine, losers! The sun’s already toasting your butts!]
[I’m gonna make the rounds at all your places! Y’all better have my Christmas presents ready!]
[@RyderHayes How’s that precious wife of yours? We’re hanging out today, so don’t bail on us again!
Such a buzzkill! Maybe just leave the wife at home!]
[Dude, I don’t give a damn–you better hook me up with something EPIC this year! And it better cost more than your wife’s gift! That’s the only way I’m forgiving your ass for bailing on us yesterday!]
Just then, Ryder burst back into the apartment, practically bouncing with excitement.
“Babe, I had a thought–the pharmacist asked if you might be pregnant! Let’s try a test before I take you to
the doctor!”
His enthusiasm faltered when he noticed his phone in my hand, and his expression immediately turned
uncomfortable.
I casually handed the phone to him. “Your ‘dude‘ is demanding a better gift than mine.”
After a pause, I added, “She also wants you to hang out tonight and told you not to bring ‘your wife‘.”
Ryder awkwardly took the phone.
“Maddox doesn’t mean it like that–she’s always been super casual and runs her mouth without thinking.
Babe, don’t be upset.”
12:31
1 Canceled Our Wedding for My CEO Childhood Crush. Zero Regrets!
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I forced a unide, din mud and took the pregnancy tu to the bathrones
siemeta later, the results appaiona–all the trips showed teen fines
When Ryder saw them, he immediately jumped up with joy, holding me tight as he permiant: 1 awear 11 seve ape you again, habe. You just focus on having this baby happily and healthy–you’re my hers
He rushed me to the hospital for a blood test to confirm the pregnancy before calling his mother with
barely contained excitement. “Mom, I’ve got a surprise coming your way?”
Dat car sped across town and pulled into his parents‘ driveway.
Ryder grabbed the gift box from my hands, his face practically glowing with happiness.
Before we even reached the door, he was already calling out, “Mom! We’ve got amazing news!”
He had barely stepped into the house when a figure came flying toward him. In the next second, an arm was already wrapped around his neck.
“Ryder Hayes, what took you so long? The gang’s been waiting forever!” Maddox purred, her arm wrapped around his neck while her other hand wandered inappropriately lower.
When she finally noticed me standing there, she jumped back as if shocked, releasing him with fake
embarrassment.
“Shit, force of habit! Forgot you’re a married man now.”
Ryder’s shirt was completely disheveled from her grabbing. He instinctively tried to straighten it while throwing me an anxious glance.
“Phoenix…” he began, but couldn’t finish.
I walked over and started fixing his collar myself, my eyes gradually filling with tears as I did so. “Maddox, do you have something against the shirts I iron for him…?”
Upon this, Maddox looked completely taken aback, her eyes also widening in surprise.
Ryder also frowned: “Maddox, you’re not a kid anymore. Stop being so impulsive all the time.”
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1 Canceled Our Wedding for My CEO Childhood Crush Zero Regrets!
After all, Ryder himself had said his greatest happiness was seeing me iron his collars every night.
His mother descended the stairs at that moment and smiled sweetly when she saw me. “Phoenix, you’re here!”
Ryder picked up the gift box that had fallen to the floor and pulled me forward to greet her.
“Mom, you’re more excited to see Phoenix than your own son!”
The scene transformed into one of warmth and harmony.
When I glanced back, I caught Maddox staring at me, her lips pressed into a thin, straight line.
1 scoffed internally and called her out: “Maddox, why do you look so upset?”
Her expression visibly shifted to panic as everyone’s attention turned toward her.
“I–I…” she stammered awkwardly. “You must be seeing things…”
12:31
