Chapter 2 Shadows Between Us

"Yen Yen, why are you anemic again? You look so pale!"

"I've told you so many times to eat properly and on time!"

Lily Lin frowned and looked at me for two seconds before turning to greet my mom. Her expression remained cold when she looked at Ethan Chu, just like always.

"My dear Lily, you came all the way here this late at night?"

"Come on, help me keep an eye on this girl Yen Yen. She's been worrying me nonstop all day!"

My mom began nagging again, and though Lily's face stayed indifferent, her hands were gentle.

Like always, she lightly pinched my ear and gave me a sharp glare.

A swirl of indescribable emotions rose in my chest.

My belly was big now, my body heavy, and after fainting today, I genuinely felt exhausted.

Tonight, for the first time, I didn't want to pretend to be strong.

Right in front of me were three people worrying about me. I should have felt comforted and happy to have people to rely on.

I truly hoped it was all just me overthinking.

"Your hands are freezing-here, warm them up."

Lily yanked my hand away from Ethan Chu's and shoved a hand warmer into it, wrapping my fingers in comforting warmth.

I looked up at her, my mind tangled with thoughts.

In these past few months of pregnancy, as Ethan got busier, the person who stayed by my side most was Lily Lin.

She came with me to the hospital for check-ups, registered me, waited in line, picked up my prescriptions.

She cooked red date porridge for me, worried I was severely anemic, and even researched a specialized meal plan for me.

Before she transferred to Ethan Chu's company, every time he went on a business trip, Lily would arrive at my place right on time, cooking all sorts of delicious meals for me.

In almost every entry of my pregnancy journal, Lily Lin was mentioned.

I glanced over at Ethan. He had stood up and fallen silent, not even sparing Lily a glance.

If this had been before, their lack of communication wouldn't have been strange-they never got along.

But after seeing that photo, and looking at them now... though no words were exchanged, the silence between them felt oddly tense.

The post Lily deleted so suddenly, and the unfamiliar scent I caught on Ethan Chu... it all made me irritated and unsettled.

For the first time, Lily Lin felt like a stranger to me. For the first time, I didn't want to see her. And for the first time, I was scared of losing her.

Seeing how unwell I looked, Lily gave me a few more words of advice to rest well, nodded at Ethan Chu without expression, and then left the hospital room.

Once she was gone, my mom couldn't help herself from poking into someone else's business again.

"Lily's not getting any younger, yet she's still single."

"My spa has so many wealthy ladies coming in. Their sons are all rich and handsome. I really should introduce some to her."

Before I could say anything, Ethan Chu spoke up first.

"Mom, Lily has high standards. She's not interested in those rich boys."

He cut in abruptly, as if hitting my mom's sore spot.

"I'm talking about Lily-what's it to you? Worry about your own wife!"

I didn't want to get dragged into their argument, but I couldn't help wanting an answer.

"It's true Lily has a unique taste. She's always been different from me since we were kids."

"Ethan, don't you think your student, Ryan Xu, would be a good match for Lily?"

"Why don't you try setting them up?"

Before she even finished her sentence, Ethan immediately shut it down.

"He's not suitable."

My gaze darkened as I stared at Ethan Chu, as if the truth I didn't want to face was quietly surfacing.

"Let's talk about it later. Your health is the top priority."

"I'll call the nurse. We'll head home soon."

He must've realized something was off too, because he clammed up and walked out of the room.