Chapter 2

I bent down to pick up the parts, my knuckles white from gripping too hard. Through the glass window, Jake was bragging to his gang brothers about this "good news."

"Brothers, Crystal is six months pregnant! I'm gonna be a dad!"

Six months?

My mind raced. Six months ago was spring, when I was still studying hard at school, writing to Jake every week to report my progress, ending each letter with "wait for me to come back." And what was he doing? He was tangled up with Crystal.

"Congrats, Boss! When are we throwing a celebration party?"

"Haha, when the little one's born! I'm gonna name my son Steel - badass enough!"

Steel.

That name hit me like a sledgehammer to the chest. It was the name Jake and I had chosen together when we were sixteen, for our future child. "Strong as steel, like a steel knight," he had said back then.

Now, this name that carried all our beautiful dreams was going to another woman's child.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. When I opened them again, those eyes that had once been filled with love and hope were now cold as winter frost.

Enough.

I turned and left the garage, each step feeling like walking on razor blades. The beat-up pickup waited for me quietly, like it was waiting for a brand new beginning.

I got into the driver's seat, hands gripping the steering wheel, but I couldn't bring myself to start the engine.

Everything that just happened kept replaying in my mind - Jake's tender words, Crystal's smug smile, and that name, Steel. My heart felt like it was being crushed by pliers, each beat sending searing pain through my chest.

But wait.

Six months?

I suddenly realized a crucial problem. If Crystal was really six months pregnant, there was no way the entire gang wouldn't know. With her love for showing off, how could she possibly keep something like this secret until now?

More importantly - during my three years at school, every time I came back, no one had mentioned this. Were they all lying to me?

I looked through the windshield at the "Steel Knights" headquarters. This place used to be my home, my entire world, what I thought was heaven.

But now, I had to get to the bottom of this truth. Just how deep did this deception go?

I turned off the engine and walked back to the gang headquarters, each step like walking on knife blades.

The dim gang bar was thick with smoke, the smell of motor oil and whiskey mixed together. Mama Joan was wiping down glasses - she was one of the oldest members of the gang and the elder who cared for me most.

"Aunt Joan." I tried to make my voice sound natural. "How's Crystal been lately?"

Joan didn't look up, casually saying, "What do you think? She's about to give birth." She paused and smiled. "Jake's nervous as hell, hovering around her all day, afraid she'll get hurt."

My heart lurched, but I forced myself to keep probing: "Really? She looks pretty far along already."

"Of course," Joan put down the glass. "You young folks are just impatient - announce the pregnancy the moment you find out."

My face went ashen instantly.

Joan saw my expression and the glass slipped from her hand, shattering on the floor: "Oh my God... Raven, you didn't know? I thought..."

"Thought what?" I gripped the bar edge tightly.

"Oh God," Joan realized something, embarrassment flashing across her face. "Honey, I thought Jake had told you already, after all, you two..."

"We what?"

Joan waved her hands frantically: "Nothing, nothing. You know, school keeps you so busy, Jake probably wanted to wait until you came back to tell you." She turned away hastily. "Let me go check if there's any good wine left in the cellar."

Everyone knew except me. This realization hit me like a sledgehammer to the heart.

I mechanically walked out of the bar, my head buzzing. Three months ago I was still preparing for finals at school, and Jake was still texting me saying he missed me, Crystal was still complaining to me on the phone about how boring life was.

Turns out, while I was buried in my books, the entire gang was watching me make a fool of myself.

Just as I reached the main hall, I heard Crystal's silver bell-like laughter.

"Put those flowers higher up, Jake loves lilies." Crystal sat on the sofa, heavily pregnant, directing gang members to decorate something. "And those streamers need to be more colorful."

"Yes, Queen, right away." A usually stern gang member replied respectfully.

Queen?

I hid behind a pillar, watching this scene like watching an absurd play. Crystal wore a tight pink dress, making no effort to hide her swollen belly.

"Tommy, have the kitchen prepare some light food," Crystal gently stroked her belly. "The little one doesn't like greasy stuff."

"Of course." Tommy nodded and bowed. "Just let us know if you need anything else."

Crystal smiled with satisfaction, then she saw me.

"Oh, Raven!" Her voice was full of fake surprise. "You're back? How's school life?"

I emerged from behind the pillar, looking at her expressionlessly: "School's fine, thanks for asking."

"Look at me," Crystal deliberately stood up and spun around. "Big changes, right?" She cradled her belly with both hands, eyes gleaming with smugness. "Six months now, Jake says it's a boy."

I felt the world spinning, but I forced myself to stay calm: "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Crystal walked up to me, lowering her voice slightly. "Actually, I've been wanting to tell you, but Jake said to wait until you graduated and came back. After all, you two..." She paused, a flash of cunning in her eyes. "After all, you two grew up together, he didn't want to tell you such big news over the phone or text."

"How thoughtful." My voice was like clashing ice.

Crystal seemed not to catch the sarcasm and continued: "We've already prepared the nursery, right next to your room. Pink decor, Jake picked it out himself."

Next to my room?

I turned and walked away, Crystal's soft voice following behind me: "Raven, let's sit together at dinner, we haven't had a good chat in ages."

I didn't answer, heading straight to Razor's office and pushing the door open hard.

Razor was reviewing some documents. He looked up at me and frowned: "Raven? You're back? You look terrible."

"Why?" My voice was full of rage. "Why does everyone else know except me?"

Razor avoided my gaze, putting down the files: "Know what?"

"Stop pretending!" I slammed the table. "Crystal's been pregnant for six months, everyone's known for three months, and you've all been lying to me!"

Razor sighed: "Raven, this is Jake's private business. I can't interfere."

"Private business?" I laughed coldly. "What about the nursery next door? When was the pink decor finished?"

Razor's expression became complicated: "Raven..."

"Tell me!" My voice was almost a roar. "When exactly?"

"They started decorating three months ago." Razor finally admitted. "Jake was excited, he wanted to give the child the best."

Three months ago. I was still foolishly waiting to "come home."

"Raven, you need to learn to accept reality." Razor's voice became serious. "You're not a child anymore."

"Accept reality?" Cold fire burned in my eyes. "Accept the reality that you all played me for a fool?"

I turned and left the office, heading toward my room. Passing by the next door, I pushed it open.

Pink walls, an exquisite crib, a warm floor lamp, even a pink rocking chair. Every detail showed careful planning and preparation.

This wasn't work that could be completed in just a few days.

I remembered what Jake had once said to me: "A woman needs a home, needs a child - that's what makes a complete life." At the time I thought he was hinting at our future. Turns out he was talking about Crystal.

And to me, he had only said: "You're suited for staying in the garage, don't think about other things."

I thought of Crystal's smug smile just now, the respectful attitude of the gang members toward her, how naturally they called her "Queen."

What was I taken for?

A fool who could be deceived at will? An outsider who could be kept in the dark? A little girl who would meekly accept betrayal?

I slowly walked back to my room, closed the door, and slid down against it to sit on the floor.

I no longer cried, no longer trembled.

Outside the window, the sun was setting. I closed my eyes, and my mind began racing at lightning speed.

If they thought I was a fool, they were dead wrong.