At the dinner table. Ryder eagerly announced my pregnancy.
My mother in law was overjoyed too. Beyond the Christmas gift basket she’d already prepared, she transferred a “parenting fund” to me right in front of everyone.
By the Maddox’s fork suddenly clattered to the floor, drawing everyone’s attention.
My mother–in–law paused, her brow slightly furrowed. “Maddox, you’re not getting any younger. Isn’t it time you settled down and had a child of your own?”
Maddox’s expression soured. “Auntie Hayes, I’m in no rush.”
“Just the other day your mother was telling me how anxious she is–she can’t wait to join me in grandmotherhood“, My mother–in–law replied with calculated casualness.
Maddox forced a smile. “I’m REALLY not in rush.”
Suddenly, she turned to me with a strange look. “Besides, even if I never have kids, I’ll always have
Ryder’s children to take care of me in my old age.”
My face fell instantly, but before I could respond, Ryder’s mother slammed down her juice glass, her expression deadly serious.
“That’s not funny.”
“You went to college–did your professors teach you it’s okay to joke about someone else’s baby like this?”
Growing increasingly angry, she picked up her phone from the table. “I’m calling your mother–she needs
to teach you some proper manners.”
The color drained from Maddox’s face as she desperately kicked at Ryder’s chair under the table.
“Help your bro out here!” she pleaded.
I quickly grabbed the toughest, crunchiest meatball from the plate and popped it into Ryder’s mouth.
“Try this, honey~”
But I had to admit–these fake–sweet types definitely had one advantage: they could totally play dumb
when someone was clearly disgusted with them and just keep pushing their own agenda.
Someone knocked on the door. Maddox immediately bounced over to answer it.
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Ryder’s two childhood friends pushed through the door, showering everyone with Christmas greetings.
Maddox linked arms with both of them, dragging them in front of Ryder with her palm outstretched.
“Ryder, the guys all sent you Christmas wishes. Where’s your appreciation??”
Ryder snuck a glance at me.
I immediately took his arm, smiling sweetly. “Maddox, is the economy overseas really that bad?”
All his childhood friends froze, not understanding what I meant.
I swayed Ryder’s arm playfully. “Which country did you study in? Does it have so many beggars that you
also…”
I stopped mid–sentence, covering my mouth.
“I didn’t mean anything by it. I just heard you just got back from abroad and was curious.”
Maddox’s face turned red with anger.
She abruptly released her grip on his friend’s hand and pointed at me, shouting.
“I’m Ryder’s brother! I was just sending some Christmas wishes, that’s all. Can’t you take a joke? What are you implying?!”
She kicked over a gift box one of the friends had brought. “Ryder, your wife insults me, and you just stand
there to watch?!”
I retreated in apparent fear, hands protectively covering my still–flat belly.
“Please… don’t be angry…” –
Ryder startled and quickly steadied me, shooting Maddox an irritated look.
“Maddox, she’s PREGNANT!”
Maddox’s eyes reddened with fury.
One of the friends–Ash, I think–tried to mediate: “Maddox, it’s Christmas. Let’s not fight.”
Hearing this, Maddox’s lips trembled as she backed up dramatically into Ash’s arms. “Ryder, everyone else stays loyal to their friends after marriage. Why do I have to suffer just because you got hitched?”
Ryder’s expression darkened as his gaze shifted uncomfortably between us, clearly torn.
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1 bit my lip, looking vulnerable. “Maddox, do you have something against me?”
1 tugged at Ryder’s wrist. “I think she misunderstood me, Ryder. Could you please explain?”
As I spoke, I released his hand and wiped away non–existent tears, my nose reddening as I stammered: “Did I say something wrong to upset everyone…?”
As soon as the words left my mouth, the living room fell into an awkward silence.
Ryder wrapped his arm around my waist. “It’s okay, baby. They’re just overthinking things.”
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