CHAPTER 201: DOUBT

The introduction was quite shocking. It took Oliver’s parents a while to process what he had just said. They looked at each other for a while, realising that their kind, very young son was going to be a father.

The revelation was shocking, at the same time, something they couldn’t deny.

It didn’t matter if they were willing to believe it; the rice was already cooked, the dough was already in the oven.

It is just a matter of time before they become grandparents.

Oliver giggled as he watched them move to a corner and speak in hushed voices.

After a while, they returned and stood before Arin and Jiah.

"Arin, you need to give us an explanation."

Mother was the first to speak. She gently looked at her son, waiting to see if there was some reasonable explanation for everything.

"Ah! Wait a minute. Let me explain." Oliver smoothly walked over and stood on their side.

"What do you have to say?" James, Oliver’s father, asked.

"I mean, it’s obvious, right? They like each other....and didn’t have a condom."

"Ah!"

Those around went slack-jawed as the honest answer struck them.

"I think you should shut up for now."

Oliver’s mother had the tact to see he was making it worse.

She quietly kicked him on the shin.

"Aouch!" Oliver skipped back. "Why did you do that, Mom?"

"Just shut up, son."

She said kindly.

However, the stiff tone made Oliver remember the broom she used to sweep the floor.

It was not just once or twice that he got whacked by the broom. So, he immediately shut up and stood back.

"Go on...I am not going to..."

Maya glared again, forcing Oliver to stop speaking altogether.

With a gloomy look, Oliver stepped back and moved to the kitchen. He could smell the aroma of freshly cooked curry and flatbread.

Only by eating could he hide his sadness at being rebuked.

As Oliver stealthily placed some flatbread onto his plate and poured some curry over it, the conversation between Arin and his parents began.

Oliver was not concerned about anything that was about to happen.

He had enough confidence in his parents to make the right decision. After all, unlike the sucker called Hyungho, his parents were a lot more sensible and kind.

If they were going to kick someone out of the house, it would most likely be him for disrespecting Jiah.

’Technically, I was being honest. After all, I am the most honest, truthful and kind person in the world.’

Oliver said smugly as he used his hand to tear apart the flat bread and eat it.

"Huh!"

The taste was heavenly.

After that, Oliver forgot about what was happening to his brother and fully immersed himself in devouring the food on his plate.

—

A few minutes later, Maya and James leaned back on the sofa and looked at the children sitting before them.

No...they are not children anymore.

In the past few minutes, Jiah and Arin explained everything that had happened leading up to the pregnancy.

They could not be called children anymore after hearing all that.

Maya took a deep breath and began to speak.

James knew she was the best one to take care of this issue, and let her speak.

"We understand it was an accident. But are you sure you want to keep the baby?"

Her question was to understand whether they had thought this through.

Being a parent in their teens was not easy.

It would take a toll on their mind and body.

At the same time, their career and education have to be put on hold.

It was...certainly a difficult decision.

"Yes."

Both Jiah and Arin nodded without hesitation.

If one didn’t know, they must think both had talked about it and had made a prior agreement.

"Okay, I believe you understand that you can’t go back on this decision once you have made it, right?" Maya asked again.

"Yes, we will not."

"Yes."

Both of them replied simultaneously again.

Looking at them holding hands as they spoke, Maya and James didn’t have the heart to pour cold water over them.

Arin and Jiah seemed happy. And they were mature for their age and could make responsible decisions, unlike the glutton near the dining table, devouring the food.

So, they believed they would be okay.

Besides that, neither wanted their grandchild to disappear before it could be born.

"If you are firm on your decision, we should meet your parents, Jiah," James said this time. "Both of you are under the age to marry. So, we have to get your parents’ consent."

"Hm... brother-in-law already talked about it with my family. We have the permission of the elders. And...my father is a little stubborn. But I believe he will come around once the child is born." Quickly, she spoke.

Although everything she said was true, the way Oliver convinced her family was deliberately hidden.

"That brat did?" James was unwilling to believe it.

Similarly, Maya also had her doubts.

"My son didn’t offend your father, right? He can be annoying at times."

"No, he didn’t..."

Jiah awkwardly smiled.

She was not that skilled at lying. It was pretty evident from her expression that she meant the exact opposite.

James and Maya looked at each other and nodded.

"If you are hiding something, you can speak freely to us. We won’t force you to do anything." Maya said.

Immediately, the emotions that Jiah held back were unleashed. She tried her best and yet failed to hold back the tears streaming down her face.

Immediately, everyone realised there was more to the story.

’Did Oliver really do something bad?’

They gazed at each other and asked.

From the corner of their view, they could see Oliver’s shadow move within the dining area, devouring the food on the table.

Could he have really done something to offend her family?

They frowned together.

Only Arin was really panicking. Unlike his parents, he knew about Jiah’s family.

The Kim family were world-renowned.

They were wealthy, strong and powerful.

And most importantly, they were partial owners of Nova Rift.

In front of them, their family was nothing but a speck of dust.

If Oliver had really offended them, they would...

Arin didn’t dare imagine the consequence.

Now that he thinks about it, Jiah was suddenly brought here without informing him.

How did his brother bring her here?

Arin wanted answers.

"Jiah, are you alright? Did something happen?" Maya quickly stood up and asked.

She was panicking.

She never thought the child who was smiling would suddenly cry.

This made her remember the age of Jiah.

Although they were mature, they were still sixteen years old.

"Did Oliver really offend your family?" She quickly walked towards Jiah and sat next to her.

Holding her hands tightly, she went closer and said.

"You don’t have to worry about anything. If Oliver did something wrong, we will help you right it."

Maya turned to face James.

"Husband, bring that brat over here."

As she was about to call Oliver, Jiah quickly shook her head.

"No, he didn’t," she quickly explained. "I was taken aback...I didn’t mean to cry."

Jiah quickly wiped her tears.

The unexpected support that she received from the people she had just met had opened the floodgates. Now, after calming herself, the tears stopped flowing.

Then, she explained how her family treated her when she decided to keep the child, especially her father.

Even though she didn’t speak much about her family, Maya and James began to have their doubts.

The Kim family acted like a wealthy clan.

Was Jiah a rich second-generation kid?

They began to wonder.

However, their thoughts were slightly off.

She was practically royalty.

In the Federation, there were few families wealthier than the Kim’s. Hence, their thoughts of her being a wealthy second-generation were wrong.

"Jiah, do you want to talk about it?"

Maya couldn’t be at ease after seeing her in emotional turmoil. Therefore, she decided to get to the bottom of it.

Meanwhile, strays were flying all around Oliver. His mother and father were beginning to doubt whether Oliver was the one who caused the mess.

Why else did he bring Jiah to their home in the middle of the night without informing them?

Something must have happened.

"Hm..." Jiah hummed and nodded.

She didn’t mind speaking about it.

She knew the people around her would support her regardless of what she said.

And beyond all that, she had a formidable brother-in-law who could keep her family in check.

There was really a need to hide it.

Initially, Jiah was hoping to take the time to reveal her background. But now, it had to be expedited to reassure her in-laws.

Meanwhile, Arin also patiently waited to hear her explanation.

—

Soon, an hour went by.

Oliver ate his fill and rubbed his tummy as he slowly returned to the living room to lie on the sofa and watch TV.

But as he approached the living room, he noticed gazes drilling into him.

"Um? The curry was great." Oliver muttered and burped.

"Don’t worry, I didn’t eat everything. I am not that kind of person anymore. I left plenty for all of you." He shrugged his shoulders and explained.