That single word swallowed every expectation and bitterness of my five years of waiting.
I turned to the girl behind him.
Since the moment my father drew his gun, she had gone pale as a frightened rabbit.
I smiled faintly at her.
“Congratulations, sister-in-law.”
My gaze dropped to her rounded belly.
“The last time I saw you, you were ready to give up on life. And now—already carrying a child.”
Shock rippled through the room.
Even my father’s six apprentices looked stunned.
“Junior sister, you know this woman?”
Yes. I knew her.
Stella Ray.
Even her name—I was the one who gave it to her.
Years ago, after losing her parents, she nearly fell victim to a gang of thugs.
I brought my men and saved her.
Later, she picked up half a bottle of pills from the street, ready to end her miserable life.
I told her it was better to live, however hard, than to die.
I told her:
“Never believe the world is all darkness. There will always be something, someone worth cherishing.”
But now, she gazed at me with tear-filled eyes, clutching her belly, and collapsed to her knees.