"You two won''t be going anywhere! This family isn''t a family without any of us!" Ethan insisted.


    "But..." I muttered, lowering my eyes. My voice broke when I spoke. "You heard Julia and Vivian. To them, Zach''s an illegitimate child, and they would take him away sooner orter."


    I continued, "Instead of letting them take him away, I should take Zach elsewhere. At least we can prevent him from being bullied and humiliated in the future."


    "I said no!" Ethan smacked the table as he shot up from the couch and then strode over to me. He grabbed my shoulders firmly so that I stared directly at him.


    "Evelyn, have you forgotten that we had sworn to stay by each other''s side until the end of time? Are you thinking of running away just because we run into some obstacles? In that case, is your promise even worth anything?" I wanted to retort but couldn''t utter a single word. I didn''t know what to say.


    Ethan was right. How could I give up on our hard-earned happiness in the face of some difficulties?


    "Honey, "I wanted to exin myself, but suddenly, Zachary burst into tears, his cries filling the air and interrupting the conversation.


    I quickly looked down and gently rocked him in my arms.


    "Baby, don''t cry. Mommy''s right here," I said. Zachary''s cries gradually softened and stopped when he heard me, but his cute face was scrunched up into a scowl.


    With a sigh, Ethan took him from me and started coaxing him. "Now, now, don''t cry. Daddy and Mommy will always be with you. Don''t cry, okay? Grandma must''ve scared you just now."


    Tears stung my eyes when I saw how doting Ethan was. He would give up everything just for Zachary.


    But what about me? Was I going to give up our wonderful family because I was a coward?


    "I''m not leaving," I said, wiping my tears and staring up at the ceiling to stop the tears from flowing.


    I made up my mind. "Julia and Vivian would look for us no matter where we went. It''s better we stay and protect our home instead of running away and hiding."


    "That''s the spirit!" Ethan eximed, looking up. When our eyes met, I could see relief sh through his eyes.


    "Darling, you''ve finally thought things


    through. No matter what we face in


    the future, I''m sure we can ovee it as long as we''re together. Nothing will stand in our way as long as we''re together. Trust me I''ll give you and Zach a perfect home."


    His words of affirmation put an end to my tears, and I ran into his warm embrace. There was nothing I should be afraid of with him around.


    It was at this very moment that the doorbell rang again. It sounded urgent, so the person who was ringing the doorbell probably wasn''t in a good mood. Ethan and I looked at each other, our faces grim. Who else woulde here to see us?


    Ethan ced Zachary in my arms and warily headed to the door. The door opened to a lean middle-aged man, whose face was cast in shadows. "Dad?" Ethan was stunned to see Judas there.


    My heart was in my mouth as I quickly walked over to the two of them.


    "Hi, Judas," I greeted tentatively.


    Judas'' cold, emotionless eyes moved from Ethan to me. "Spare the formalities and stop with the act."


    Without further exnation of why


    he hade, he walked past us and headed into the living room. His voice was as cold as his stare. "Are


    you two sure you want to go against our family?"  en


    "Dad, we aren''t." Ethan spread his hands helplessly at the usation. "Evelyn and I are married. Zach is your grandson. Why are you saying that we''re setting ourselves against the family?"  en


    "Well then, where is the certificate? I don''t see it," said Judas. His words hit the bullseye.