My Mirror Image by Maybe Not (Candice And Alex’s)

Chapter 0386

"She’s pregnant, so she should stay at home and take care of her unborn baby instead of running around," Henry said to Alex with a warning tone while furrowing his brows.

"Although my family isn't wealthy, I’ve showered Candy with love since she was little. I don’t care that you’re rich and powerful—I won’t let you off if you dare to mistreat her."

"What are you talking about, Henry? I never knew you were so protective. It's a matter between the young couple. Why are you getting involved?" joked someone on the side.

Henry shot the commenter a death glare and stated firmly, "She’s my daughter; of course, I have to be protective of her, especially since they aren’t married yet. But even after they get married, she will still be my baby girl!"

Listening to their back-and-forth, Candice found the situation unbearably dull.

However, she felt that the two ‘actors’ Henry had brought in were skillful in steering the conversation.

In just a few sentences, they had shifted to the topic of marriage.

After considering for a moment, Henry looked at Alex and Candice.

If Candice hadn't seen Henry’s true colors that day, she might have been moved by the seemingly genuine concern on his face now.

Henry directed a question at Alex. "Now that Candy is pregnant, when do you plan to get married?"

Candice's heart sank instantly. She spoke in a cold tone, "We’re not getting married."

"What did you say?" Henry raised his voice while glaring at Candice. "What are you talking about, silly girl? Why are you throwing a tantrum at a time like this?!"

He then turned to Alex, still frowning, but with a hint of probing in his tone. "Since Candy is carrying your child, you will take responsibility for her, right?"

Alex casually tapped his finger on the table as his gaze, which was devoid of emotions, slowly drifted back to Candice's face.

This time, he paused for quite a while.

Candice was alarmed by his intense scrutiny, and then she heard his nonchalant words.

"It's mine. So, of course, I'll take responsibility."

Henry nodded approvingly. "Great. Now, what’s the bride-dowry your family have decided on—"

Before he could finish, a loud crash interrupted him.

Candice had slammed a teacup onto the table. Exasperated, she looked at Henry, and then at Alex, who wore a numb expression.

"Stop talking about marriage, bride-dowry, and whatnot. I've said it's impossible. I have nothing to do with him, and the child in my belly is not his."

Candice rarely felt such intense anger. She glared at Henry, but before she could finish her words, a resounding slap echoed as Henry's hand landed on the table.

He scolded, "Candy, what are you doing? I’m discussing important matters with Alex. This is for your own good. Why are you so stubborn?! You’re carrying his child. I’m not just talking about the

house and bride-dowry—he should provide for other things too! You’re my baby girl; do you think I’ll just let you bear children for him for nothing?"

Henry's emotions seemed genuinely that of a protective father advocating for his daughter. But what kind of a father was he if his first reaction upon learning of his daughter's pregnancy was to demand a house and money from the man involved?

And what about the 'other things' he had mentioned?

Candice didn't dare to dwell on what those might be.

She propped herself on the table, almost numb to all emotions.

"Stop thinking about taking advantage of him. I have no connection with him, and the child in my belly is not his."

"Candy!" Henry suddenly stood up, the soft glow in his eyes turning instantly icy. He gritted his teeth while reminding Candice, "You should know what to say, and what not to say! If you don’t want me to talk about marriage, fine. I won't mention it again. But think before you speak! You’re a woman; your reputation matters more than anything. Nobody will regard you as proper if they heard you say those things! Besides, if you don't marry him, who else will you marry? You already belong to him!"

Candice closed her eyes as she endured his scolding. Finally, she couldn’t hold it anymore.

She opened her eyes and looked at Henry while saying in a questioning tone, "So, in your eyes, a so-called proper woman is someone who endures everything, someone who can't do anything when she’s pregnant, and someone who should stay at home waiting for her husband. It's even better if she can fetch a hefty dowry, huh? Henry, this is the last time I'll call you 'Dad'.

"Do you remember what you taught me when I was little? You told me about Mulan, about Florence Nightingale. You said girls should have their own goals and dreams. So, I've been working hard and

facing every hardship head-on because I always remembered your words.

"But listen to what you're saying now, and look at what you're doing. When you held Hailey, who is only nineteen, and did those disgusting things, did you feel no guilt at all?"

Candice almost roared out these words, which she had been holding inside since she saw Henry with Hailey.

She always remembered sitting next to Henry when she was little, listening to him tell stories. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

He said that girls should be independent and strong. He said she would grow up to be an excellent and resilient young woman.

But now?

Candice couldn't imagine that the person who had spoken those words would do such disgusting things with a woman who was young enough to be his daughter.

When she saw the video Darius had shown her, she wanted to throw up.

Henry had destroyed her impression of him and made her question her entire worldview.

He was someone she used to look up to. Now, he had turned out to be the kind of person she despised the most.

She almost couldn’t accept it.

Candice had been enduring it for all this while and had refrained from even thinking about Henry until she heard the despicable things he had said just now.

He was no longer the good father she had remembered. He had become the kind of person she encountered on a daily basis—selfish, narrow-minded, and ignorant.

Candice's face turned pale, and her chest felt tight, making it difficult to breathe.

She picked up her bag, turning to leave.

She’d rather die than stay here for another second.

She really couldn't stand seeing Henry now; she couldn’t even glance at him without wanting to throw up.

She had had enough.

But before she could take a step, she suddenly felt dizzy. This sensation was followed by a dull ache in her lower abdomen.

Candice couldn't maintain her balance and was about to fall when someone behind her caught her waist.

When she looked around, she met Alex's profound and narrowed gaze.