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Margaret reacted first. "My boy, you're alive! This is heaven's blessing on our family!" she wailed, clutching at his sleeves like he might vanish again.
Nathan played along perfectly, voice trembling. "Mom... these past days... it was like wandering the underworld. Coming back feels like a miracle."
I also hugged him in fake tears. "Honey, you're alive! We'll never part again, promise me!"
All their faces soured—Nathan, Margaret, Claire－almost worthing the nausea.
Claire cut in sharply, "Enough. Now that Nathan’s alive, call off the funeral and tell everyone of it."
I smiled sweetly. "Claire, thanks for your helping these days, but it's our family's affairs. We should handle by ourselves.”
Claire gritted her teeth, as she shoot Nathan a desperate look.
He barely shook his head, signaling restraint.
She huffed, storming out.
That night, I cornered Nathan. "Honey, now you"re back, I’m suing that hospital for misdiagnosing you."
He panicked. "No, no, it was a honest mistake."
After notifying relatives, we returned home with Margaret.
They were quiet, clearly panicking. Nathan’s fake death failed, as the lottery claim was a month away. By law, I’d get half of that jackpot.
I munched snacks in the car, carefree.
Margaret glared at me. "All you do is eat. Three years married and still no grandson—what good are you?"
I glanced at Nathan. "Mom, maybe Nathan's the problem. I got checked last year—perfectly fertile."
"You－" Margaret’s face twisted. "My Nathan could father a dozen sons! You"re the barren one. Anyone else would've given me a grandkid by now."
I almost laughed. Let them believe that. Soon enough, the truth about Claire's pregnancy would blow their precious family tree to splinters.
Home smelled of braised pork, Claire was there, cooking a feast.
"You must be exhausted," she simpered, batting her lashes at Nathan.
Nathan’s eyes locked on her, lovesick. Their lingering eye contact could've melted steel.
Margaret gushed, "Such a gem girl! Any man would be lucky to wed you."
Nathan nodded like a puppet. "She’s perfect."
Sipping my tea, I chimed in. "Right? Nathan, your brother’s single. Why don't we set Claire up with him."
Their faces soured.
Margaret snapped, "Jake? That deadbeat? You’re sending Claire to suffer."
Nathan looked ready to strangle me. "How could you suggest such a cruel thing?"
