They Used Me for Seven Years, Then I Cut the Lifeline

My stepbrother, who had been paralyzed for six years, suddenly confessed he had gotten a woman pregnant.

I contacted my secretary to prepare a gift for his future wife, but my father stopped me.

"Zenon, this is also your child!"

Saoirse Lorenger, my wife, stood silently beside her father, tacitly accepting this absurdity.

I got the point.

So, the child in her womb was my stepbrother's.

Seeing me silent, Saoirse stepped forward and separated me from Oliver Lorenger. "Zenon, it was Dad and I who made the decision without consulting you, so don't blame Oliver."

She soothed me with a patronizing tone. "You always refuse to have a child and you know how awful the rumors are about you."

"Oliver is paralyzed and he is your brother. Having a child with him won't shake your status as Saoirse’s husband."

They claimed it was for my own good, yet they acted first and consulted later, never asking my consent.

In their eyes, I would never say no to them.

However, they did not know, the time had come to keep their promise to their mothers—to take care of the Lorenger and Steiner families.

I should go too.

——

Oliver's hand was still resting on her pregnant belly.

The scene stung my eyes.

"Zenon, don't be angry with Saoirse." Oliver lay on the bed, a harmless smile on his face.

"The doctor said I'm in a poor health and Saoirse was afraid something would happen to me and the baby, so she kept it from you all along."

"We’re all doing this for your own good. You’ve been married for so many years and yet childless — it's quite a disgrace," he said, affectionately patting the back of my hand.

“Once the baby is born, we’ll register him in your name so he can call you Dad, okay?”

My father, Jack Lorenger, cleared his throat, adopting the air of an elder.

"Zenon! Oliver got Saoirse pregnant with the Steiners' eldest grandson and also the hope of the Lorengers!"

"Your brother is physically disabled, yet he takes on the burden for you and the Steiners. Instead of showing gratitude, who are you trying to impress with that deathly expression?"

Saoirse finally removed Oliver's hand from her belly and walked toward me. She wanted to hold my hand, but I dodged away.

Her movement froze in midair.

"Zenon, after all these years as a husband and wife, don't you still not understand me?"

"I do all this for you, for our family. I won't let others behind your back stab you in the back and call you a living saint."

I looked at her, speechless.

Seeing me giving no response, Saoirse grew impatient and impatiently tossed her hair. "Alright, stop fooling around. I've already asked Helena to prepare dinner to celebrate."

"As the host, you should at least show some courtesy."

She turned to help Oliver up, her movements gentler than I had ever seen before. “Oliver, what would you like to eat? I’ll have the kitchen prepare it for you.”

Oliver leaned weakly in her arms and said coquettishly, “I want to eat grouper soup and I want you to feed me yourself.”

"Alright, as your request."

The two of them flirted around without paying attention to my presence, treating me like a transparent thing.

I stood there, utterly superfluous and ridiculous.

Just then, Noah Reinhart, the Steiner Family’s doctor, walked in carrying his medical bag.

He took a test report from his bag with a beaming smile on his face. "Ms. Lorenger, Mr. Oliver Lorenger, congratulations!"

She handed the report to Saoirse and said in a firm tone, "The pregnancy is very stable. The ultrasound looks like it's a boy! Congratulations to the Lorengers and the Steiners, you have an heir!"

Saoirse kissed my brother deep and Jack also looked emotional.

Noah turned to look at me, a hint of pity in his smile. "Mr. Zenon Lorenger, please don't be too sad."

"Since you can't give a child, having your brother help you would be just the same."

The laughter and chatter filling the room were like countless needles pricking my ears.

I gripped my phone so tightly my nails dug into my flesh.

Saoirse walked up to me, holding the report.

"Zenon, look, how adorable he is. He'll be our son from now on."

Jack quickly added. “But Zenon, even though he is registered under your name, he still has to call Oliver ‘Dad.’”

They still assumed, as always, that I would grant them any request.

Just like the seventh day after my mother's passing, my father brought home a stepbrother who was only half a year younger than me.

He claimed he was the son of an old friend, yet his face bore a striking resemblance to my father, almost 90% identical.

Just like after Saoirse said she wanted a child, I tried countless remedies.

Even before we got married, I told her that I had health problems and it would be difficult for me to have children and that I couldn't continue taking injections and medication.

Just because seven years ago, I made a solemn vow at my mother's bedside.

I had to help my weak father support the Lorenger Family and pave a bright future for the penniless Saoirse.

For my mother, Irene Lorenger, the Lorenger Family represented love and the Steiner Family represented gratitude.

It was her last lingering obsession, but for me, it was just a promise.

Now, seven years had passed and I found nothing left here to hold me back.

I turned around, locking the joy of the entire family behind the door and walking to the empty balcony. I dialed the lawyer my mother had appointed before her passing, Gary Coleman.

"Mr. Coleman, its' already seven years."

For a moment, no response sounded on the other end of the phone and then a sigh followed.

"Mr. Lorenger, everything is ready. With just one word from you, all the funds injected into the Lorenger Group and the Steiner Group will start to withdraw within 24 hours. It is estimated that it will be withdrawn in six days."

"Let's get started."

As soon as I hung up the phone, I felt as if the rope that had tied me down for seven years had finally loosened.

Saoirse came over at some point and looked at me with a frown, asking, "Who are you secretly talking to on the phone?"

"Zenon, I warn you, don't use the family money for reckless investments outside."

"Raising a child will cost a lot in the future, so save your money for me."

She lectured me as a matter of course, completely forgetting she earned her money with my help.

I ignored her and walked straight to the dining room.

The long dining table was laden with dishes, all of which were my brother's favorite.

She carefully removed the fish bones for Oliver, not even noticing I hadn't touched my spoon and fork.

Jack's face was red from drinking and he said, "Zenon, transfer the shares of Lorenger Group under your name to the child in your wife's womb. Consider it a welcome gift from you, the uncle, to the nephew."

I raised my head and looked at his calculating face.

I nodded in response. "Alright."

My decisiveness left them all stunned for a moment.

Saoirse was the first to react, with a satisfied smile on her face. "See, Zenon was the most understanding."

She immediately made the decision. "Transfer the shares in my company under your name as well. For our child, you shouldn't mind, right?"

Oliver leaned in her arm and pulled her sleeves pretending to be worried. "Saoirse, don't do this, Zenon will be unhappy."

Jack smiled disdainfully.

"How come? You're very happy, aren't you, Zenon? Come on, raise a glass for Oliver and say a few words of blessings."

Saoirse picked up a glass of red wine and handed it to me.

"I can't drink," I said.

Her face instantly darkened.

"Can't drink? Why didn't you say you couldn't drink at the drinking table to handle a project in the south until you had stomach bleeding?"