Having received this promise, the Yu family’s expressions finally softened a little.

Sienna quickly returned to normal, bowing slightly to Mr. and Mrs. He.

"Thank you, Uncle He, Aunt He. Caleb has just experienced too many changes recently and hasn't figured things out yet; I understand him. I truly like him, which is why I want to keep this child. I believe he will eventually accept me and the child."

This soft, sensible facade she put on was very pleasing to the elderly He couple, who had suffered blow after blow.

Mrs. He pulled her to sit beside her, looking cautiously at the Yu family to negotiate.

"I’ve read some of the news. My incompetent son has caused such a huge scene, and I'm truly sorry to trouble you with cleaning up the mess. Since Sienna is pregnant, she should move into our home so I can personally look after her. It will be a good chance to build some affection with Caleb during this time."

"Caleb isn't a bad person at heart, he’s just too sentimental. Once the child is born and he becomes a father, he’ll understand and settle down to marry you. We will also help take care of things."

Sienna’s anxious heart slowly settled.

She touched her stomach, which hadn't yet begun to show, and looked at the closed bedroom door on the second floor, a spark of hope gathering in her eyes once more.

Chapter 22

After moving into the He residence legitimately with the child, Sienna’s complexion slowly began to improve.

Although the He family was on the decline, a "lean camel is still bigger than a horse," and the care provided for the pregnant woman was thorough.

Every day, Sienna would go up to the second floor to visit Caleb, bringing him desserts and fruit while whispering sweet nothings, hoping to move him with the affection they had shared in the past.

However, he not only refused to appreciate it, throwing away everything she brought, but he also broke out of his locked bedroom several times, trying to force her to the hospital to abort the child.

Sienna was so terrified her legs turned to jelly. After a few rounds of this, she didn't dare mention the past in front of him again to provoke him.

As the days passed, her belly slowly began to grow.

Every check-up, the doctor said the fetus was very healthy. Both families were very happy, looking forward to the arrival of the child.

Except for Caleb.

He had been locked in the bedroom for two months, seeing neither the sun nor anyone else, spending his days drowning his sorrows in alcohol and staying dead drunk.

Mr. He was so angered by his self-destructive behavior that he nearly had a heart attack. He had reprimanded him many times, yet Caleb didn't change at all, even smashing the walls in the middle of the night demanding more alcohol.

As time went on, they stopped bothering with him, treating him as if they were just raising a drunkard in the house, as if they hadn't given birth to him at all. They focused entirely on the arrival of their grandson, showing Sienna extreme concern.

Although they weren't married yet, Sienna felt that the position of "Mrs. He" was already secure, and she stopped acting overly humble.

When it was discovered that she was carrying a boy, she became even more demanding and pretentious, putting forward the request to register their marriage first.

To appease her, Mrs. He went to persuade Caleb personally.

No one knew what she had said to him, but he actually listened. That evening, he tidied himself up, shaved his beard, and went downstairs.

But the moment he encountered Sienna, his expression remained cold, and he left the house after only one glance.

His attitude wasn't exactly warm, but seeing him regain some spirit, Sienna was still happy.

To win his affection, she specially learned to cook a full dinner from the nanny, hoping the whole family could have a meal together that night.

But the He and Yu families waited from five o'clock until seven, and Caleb still hadn't returned.

Seeing Mr. Yu on the verge of throwing his chopsticks down in a fit of rage, Sienna quickly tried to smooth things over, and they finally began to eat.

After the meal, the Yu family left without even finishing a cup of tea.

Mr. He was also so angered that he retreated straight to his study.

Sienna waited in the living room alone until midnight, finally waiting for Caleb’s return.

He had drunk quite a bit, but his mind was relatively clear. He looked right through her as if she were invisible and headed straight upstairs.

Sienna wanted to go forward to support him, but he pushed her hand away.

Tears welled up in her eyes instantly, and she followed him upstairs, aggrieved.

As soon as the door closed, she threw herself into his arms, tears falling like broken pearls.

"Caleb, it’s been so long—is your anger still not gone? The baby will be born in a few months; can’t you just forgive me for the child’s sake?"

Forgive?

A shadow flickered in Caleb’s eyes the moment he heard the word.

Sienna did not notice the shift in his emotions; she took his hand and placed it on her increasingly rounded belly.

"Caleb, the baby kicks me sometimes. If you don't get close to him now, he won't pay you any mind later."

He didn't pull away. Sienna’s movements became increasingly bold, and she slowly guided his hand upward.

When his hand touched that soft fullness, she let out a soft moan, but Caleb suddenly froze in place.

He turned his head with a cold face, looked at the person playing the pitiable role once more, and jerked his hand back violently.

"Are you that desperate?"

"I was just afraid that you were..."

Caleb could no longer endure it; he shoved her out the door and spoke with absolute finality.

"Get out! If you ever dare to do this again, don't even dream of marrying into the He family in this lifetime!"

Chapter 23

Time flew by, and soon it was April.

On the evening of the 16th, under the unceasing persuasion of Mrs. He, Caleb finally agreed to go register their marriage the next day.

When Sienna heard this news, she was so happy she didn't sleep well all night.

The next morning, after she got up, seeing Caleb had changed into a crisp suit and that his hair had been carefully styled, her joy knew no bounds.

She walked to the dining table, supporting her belly, and suddenly wanted to drink some orange juice. She called for the nanny several times, but no one responded.

Caleb glanced at her and got up to go into the kitchen.

Before long, he came out with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and placed it in front of her.

This was the first time Caleb had given her a pleasant look since she had been pregnant for so long.

Sienna was so moved she nearly burst into tears, and she began to act coy again.

"Caleb, I knew you were soft-hearted despite your sharp tongue, and that you have me in your heart."

Caleb ignored her.

His eyes were fixed steadily on the glass of orange juice.

Thinking he was urging her to hurry up and try the taste, Sienna picked up the glass and took a sip.

She was just about to offer a compliment when she heard Caleb’s icy voice.

"Drink it all."

To please him, Sienna hurriedly downed the remaining half-glass of orange juice.

Seeing the empty glass, Caleb revealed a look of satisfaction.

Sienna laughed along, looking at him with eyes full of joy.

"Caleb, when are we going to the Civil Affairs Bureau?"

Caleb checked his watch, his tone indifferent.

"In a while."

Sienna said an obedient "oh" and picked up her sandwich, eating in small bites.

She was so focused on eating that she didn't notice Caleb’s gaze remained fixed on her belly, the expression on his face quite intriguing.

After finishing half, she felt a bit full and looked around the room, only then realizing that Mr. and Mrs. He, who were usually early risers, weren't there today. She asked casually.

"Where are Mom and Dad?"

"Dad? Mom? Who gave you the right to call them that?"

Sienna froze, looking up at him with grievance in her eyes.

"Aren't we about to register our marriage in a little while? Am I not allowed to call them Mom and Dad yet?"

Caleb raised his left hand, straightened the ring on his ring finger that was slightly crooked, and his tone returned to its usual languid pace.

"Since you’re looking forward to it so much, let’s not go then."

The smile on Sienna’s face froze, and her heart began to race.

"Not... not going? Didn't you promise Mom... er, Auntie?"

"I did promise. But I’ve changed my mind now. Is that not allowed? Besides, I don't think you’ll be in the mood to register your marriage much longer."