Aeris's eyes darkened with disgust at the sight of Mira sitting there—small, silent, obedient, like a child.
But he knew better. He had already glimpsed the devil lurking beneath that beautiful façade.
None of it fooled him.
Her flawless act might have deceived the love‑hungry original owner of this body, but not him.
If she still thought she could cling to him like some parasitic leech, she could keep dreaming.
Mira's face brightened the moment she saw him sit up.
"Aeris, are you feeling better now?"
She hurriedly poured a glass of water, her voice thick with worry.
"Here… drink some water."
Aeris couldn't even be bothered to maintain a façade with her.
He wasn't the lovesick fool. He couldn't care less about her.
"No need. I'm not thirsty. Just tell me why you're here."
Mira, who had always basked in his unquestioning affection, didn't notice the chill in his tone.
Her eyes instantly welled up, tears gathering like shimmering pearls before rolling down her cheeks.
"I… I… sob… sob…"
Aeris stared at her, speechless at her ability to burst into tears on command.
Mira cried for a long time before realizing that her usually doting friend hadn't reacted at all.
Something was wrong—terribly wrong.
She stared at the unmoving Aeris, her pitiful expression shattering as anger flashed in her eyes.
"Aeris, couldn't you at least comfort me?!" she snapped, her voice trembling between hurt and accusation.
"I'm in such a terrible situation and you're just sitting there!"
Aeris looked even more annoyed than she did.
"You've been here for almost an hour now," he said flatly.
"Besides saying 'I… I…' and crying, you haven't told me anything. What exactly do you expect me to say?"
Mira was furious at his unconcerned tone, but she needed his help.
Grinding her teeth silently, she forced herself to take a deep breath and swallow her anger.
Just wait. After we get married, I'll work him like a slave, she thought indignantly.
"I—I'm pregnant!" she finally blurted out, eyes squeezed shut.
She knew how deeply he had loved her, but she was still nervous—most men wouldn't want to raise another man's child.
Still, she expected something: a soft comfort, a reassuring word… anything.
But what came instead wasn't on her list.
"Congratulations," Aeris said, his voice flat and almost amused.
"Who's the father?"
Mira snapped her eyes open, her changing expression almost comical to the only audience.
Then she started performing again—or maybe this time it was real. Biting her lip, her face grew red with embarrassment.
"I went to a club with a friend three months ago. I was drunk and woke up in a hotel the next morning. I… I don't remember the person's face."
As if to prove her innocence, she added,
"It was my first time going to such a club. I didn't know the liquor was so strong."
"So, do you want me to take you for an abortion, or call the police?" he asked knowingly.
She shrieked, "Are you crazy?! Who asked you to call the police?!"
Realizing she had snapped out of panic, she softened her tone.
"If my parents know that I'm pregnant with a stranger's child, they'll break down. I already went to the hospital. The doctor said it's too late—and the procedure might even cost my life."
"So, are you going to search for that person?" Aeris asked calmly.
Mira vaguely remembered seeing more than one person. She didn't dare to confirm the cruel truth.
"Please help me, Aeris. We've known each other for so long. Let's get married."
Afraid of his refusal, she quickly put forward her advantages.
"You know me—I'll be a good wife. I have a job, and the child just needs a father. We can have our own children after I give birth. Please, Aeris, I can't bring shame to my parents. It was just an accident. You know me, I'm not an irresponsible girl."
Aeris was unmoved by her pleading.
Having inherited all the original owner's memories, he thought coldly: If I fall into the same hole again, I might as well jump into the sea to spare the world the waste of oxygen.
"With my condition, I can find a pure girl, so why would I compromise for you? It's impossible for me to marry you. I have always seen you as a friend. I never thought you had such feelings for me. But I am sorry. I can't sacrifice my whole life even if we are friends. Why don't you talk with your exes? I am sure one of them will agree to marry." Aeris delivered a deathly blow with a calm, soothing voice.
Mira was full of disbelief. She had been confident he would agree, having seen how much he had loved her over the years.
All her previous anxious expressions had been to maintain her pure appearance in his eyes. She never in a million years imagined he would disagree.
"You… If it's because of a child you don't have to worry. I will take on all his expenditures. My parents had even saved some money for my marriage and their future grandchildren. Moreover, my parents had always treated you well. They will break if they find out the truth. Even if it's just for them, please agree."
Aeris sneered inwardly. From his memories, he had seen her parents' true faces.
From the time they learned he had impregnated their precious daughter before marriage, they had never looked on him kindly.
They pinned all the blame on him, never ever realising that it takes two person to tango.
Even during family dinners, even if he treated them like an ancestor, he was treated coldly and never received their approval.
When they learned of his infertility, they became even more contemptuous.
They were just hypocrites, and he had no respect for such elders.
"They aren't my parents. It's impossible for me to sacrifice my whole life for them. I won't marry you. Stop wasting your breath on me. You might as well look for someone else before your bump shows."
Seeing that she was still unconvinced, he added, "I have other matters to attend to. You should leave."
Knowing that further persistence would only annoy him, Mira decided to leave for today and come back another day.
She was determined to stick to Aeris. She knew that no other man around her, except Aeris, would marry a pregnant woman.
If she had found out earlier, she might have found a scapegoat—but she was already three months pregnant. She couldn't fool even the most honest man.
Aeris, unaware that Mira had stubbornly decided on him, was relieved, thinking he had finally gotten rid of a problem