CH 19
1318 Words
“Sorry, I’m waiting for someone,” Cecilia Cooper said, her gaze casually drifting over the coffee menu.
There were no drinks for just a few bucks; everything was over a hundred, with some even reaching into the thousands. She clicked her tongue, clearly thinking this was excessive luxury.
Moments later, Charles Dixon appeared in her line of sight. Cecilia checked her phone—1:59 PM. This man certainly knew how to manage his time.
As he settled into the seat across from her, his tall frame casually leaned back against the sofa. His narrowed eyes fixed on her, and he spoke deliberately, “Teacher Cooper, we need to talk about something.”
Cecilia's heart raced, and she instinctively sat up straighter. “The test results?”
“That day, you took the contraceptive pill brought by the secretary right in front of me. Now, given the current situation, how do you explain that, Teacher Cooper?”
His dark eyes were sharp as arrows, piercing into her as if he were scrutinizing her every reaction, secretive and meticulous.
Without flinching, she met his gaze with calmness, her eyes clear as water.
“That day, my dad had just returned from a trip to Dali in southern China, and he brought back a lot of Pu-erh tea. When I got home, he brewed several pots. I momentarily forgot that strong tea and medication don’t mix and ended up drinking quite a bit, which likely canceled out the effects of the contraceptive pill. Also, I really don’t appreciate President Dixon’s current attitude toward me!”
His gaze was clear and deep, as transparent as water, allowing him to see right through to the bottom. Having seen countless people, he could easily distinguish between truth and falsehood.
He believed her reasoning, but it was her last statement that piqued his interest.
Raising an eyebrow, Charles Dixon casually shifted his position. "What’s my attitude right now?"
"A questioning attitude." Cecilia Cooper twisted her hands together under the table and continued, "That night, it was President Dixon who got drunk, entered the wrong room, and made a mistake. I am the victim here. What right do you have to question a victim?"
"Go on." Charles Dixon stared at her, as if trying to see through her. He casually tapped his fingers on the table, producing a crisp, rhythmic sound, one after another.
The sound added a layer of tension to the air, and she gathered her courage. "The reason I agreed to meet is to express my thoughts to President Dixon. I want this child!"
As if he had heard a joke, he chuckled softly, then smirked. "What right does Teacher Cooper have to make decisions on her own?"
"Because he is growing inside me, I have the right to decide his fate."
With his long legs elegantly crossed, Charles Dixon narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke,
"Teacher Cooper is a victim, and I won't deny that. I also won't deny my mistakes. But without my efforts, how could you have achieved what you have now? Since the mistakes originated from me, it’s only right that I should be the one to resolve them. I will compensate for the harm caused to Teacher Cooper, and as for the child, I will terminate the pregnancy!"
Although she had anticipated this moment, hearing it spoken aloud made her heart tighten painfully. Nevertheless, she stood tall.
"This is my decision, and I will bear the consequences. I don’t need your compensation, and you don’t have to worry about me using the child to blackmail you in the future. I won’t tell him anything about you, not a single detail. If you’re still uneasy, you can write an agreement, and I’ll sign it. If I fail to uphold any part of that agreement, you can do as you wish!"
Charles Dixon’s handsome face showed no sign of emotion. He stood up, his voice deep and clear, leaving no room for doubt.
"This doesn’t change my decision. Tomorrow afternoon, I will take you to the hospital..."
"President Dixon, aren’t you curious why I insist on keeping this child?"
Seeing him about to leave, she felt a surge of urgency. She jumped to her feet, her eyes fixed on his back, and spoke each word deliberately, "The doctor said I might never be able to conceive again, so I have to protect this child!"
Charles paused in his tracks. He turned around, and despite the distance between them, he could clearly see her chest rising and falling, the delicate veins in her neck standing out due to her agitation and tension.
"I deeply regret the situation with Teacher Cooper, but it has nothing to do with me."
His deep voice was cold and unyielding, showing no sign of emotion.
"The reason I'm here today is precisely because this child is connected to you. I don't want anything from you, so you don't need to worry. All I want is this child!" Her chest rose and fell as she gripped the edge of the table, supporting her body.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow around her. She stood in silhouette, her hair framing her face softly, adding a touch of grace to her appearance.
Her heart was gently stirred, and he felt a flicker of something in his eyes. His previously icy tone softened slightly, "What if the child belongs to another man?"
Her response was resolute: "I would still keep the child! And honestly, I would prefer it if the child were someone else's rather than President Dixon's!"
He paused, momentarily taken aback. Then, Charles Dixon narrowed his eyes, his throat tightening as his voice turned icy once more. "Oh? I'm curious to hear more..."
"If it’s another man, it would be easier for us to reach an agreement. I could even pay him some money. But with President Dixon, things are a bit too harsh!" Cecilia Cooper said through gritted teeth, each word deliberate and firm.
“Teacher Cooper can casually have a child with a man she doesn’t love, but I cannot tolerate a woman I don’t love giving birth to my child. Do you understand?”
Charles Dixon stared at her for a long moment, his tone cold and indifferent.
In contrast, his eyes grew increasingly deep, like an endless whirlpool, with a fleeting shadow flashing through them, leaving no time for anyone to catch it.
Cecilia Cooper was taken aback, his words leaving her frozen in place.
He took long strides, his tall figure slowly disappearing from her sight, becoming more and more blurred.
Only his voice floated back to her on the wind, clear and distinct: “I’ll pick you up for the hospital tomorrow. And here’s a piece of advice: it’s best not to test my patience…”
＊
Back at school, Cecilia Cooper still felt a bit dazed. Deep down, she had anticipated this outcome.
How could a man of his caliber allow an ordinary woman to bear a child from a one-night stand?
What was she supposed to do now?
“I’ll pick you up for the hospital tomorrow. And here’s a piece of advice: it’s best not to test my patience…”
His words echoed in her mind, and she realized it wasn’t advice at all; it was a warning—a warning not to try any tricks under his watchful eye.
Her head throbbed slightly as she gently rubbed her temples, her thoughts swirling into chaos once again…
Cecilia Cooper couldn’t sleep a wink all night. Her mind was racing with thoughts, making it impossible for her to close her eyes.
But it was all in vain; she still hadn’t come up with a solution.
Charles Dixon’s words from yesterday had reached a point of no return, leaving her with no way to backtrack.
Her head throbbed, pounding as if it were about to explode...
- Writer
