Page 120 of Lowering His Guard

She sets a plate of dumplings on the table. My stomach rolls. For the first time in my life, I’m not hungry.

“Why did you break up with Brock? He’s lovely and very sexy.”

I groan. She had to say sexy?

“It’s complicated.”

Dad pats my shoulder. “You can tell us, lucky charm.”

He makes it sound easy. “You’re going to be disappointed.”

“We could never be disappointed in you. You’re our daughter. We love you.”

I gulp. Daughter. Children are exactly the problem.

I’m tired. So very tired of keeping my condition secret from my parents. Of smiling through the pain. Of being terrified I’ll die alone.

“I can’t have children.”

Mom’s brow wrinkles. “What?”

“I’m infertile. I got an infection when I was in Bali and I didn’t get treatment right away and long story short, I can never have children. I can never give you grandchildren.”

I wipe a tear that escapes my eye. “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

Dad growls. “I told you once, but I’ll tell you again. We could never be disappointed in you.”

“But I can’t give you grandchildren.”

“May Jing,” Mom says. Crap. She only uses my middle name when she’s pissed at me. “You listen to me. We are not disappointed in you. I feel bad for you because I know you want children. But we’re not disappointed. I love you.”

My breath gets stuck in my throat. Mom doesn’t say she loves me very often. She says she doesn’t need to. It should be obvious. I’m her daughter.

“T-t-thank you.” My voice trembles.

“Welcome.” She shoves the plate of dumplings across the table. “Now eat.”

“I’m not hungry.” I’m still heartbroken.

“Is this why you broke up with Brock?” Dad asks.

“I can’t give him a family. He deserves better.”

“Lucky charm, that man already has a family. He has a son. And, from what I’ve seen, they’re both trying pretty damn hard to add you to it.”

“But he was talking about having children with me.”

He lifts a brow. “Did he know you can’t have children?”

“No.”

“And what did he say when you told him?”

“You did tell him?” Mom asks.

“Yes, I told him.” Right before I broke up with him.

They stare at me until I give in. “He said we could adopt or use a surrogate or not have children.”