Xiao Yan’s world had always been built on foundations he did not question. His parents’ death in a car accident when he was twelve had shaped him, orphaned, middle class, thrust into a world of uncertainty. But then came the investor, a mysterious benefactor who appeared like a guardian angel. Mr. Smith, a wealthy businessman from abroad, had funded Xiao Yan’s education and his first research.

“You’re talented, boy,” Mr. Smith had said during their rare meetings. “Reach for the stars.”

Xiao Yan had grown up believing it was charity, a stroke of luck in a cruel world. Mr. Smith had passed away recently while being treated for an illness overseas, leaving his son to manage his belongings.

Now, in his office, Xiao Yan stared at the envelope on his desk. It had arrived that morning, delivered by a courier with no return address. Inside were documents and an old USB. And a note from Ethan Smith, that man’s son.

“My father hid these from you. He wanted to keep you in the dark. For a price, transfer the funds to this account, and all the evidence is yours.”

Xiao Yan’s hands trembled as he read. The USB held files that detailed his parents’ accident, not a random crash, but a deliberate hit-and-run orchestrated by the Yan family patriarch, Yan Yi’s grandfather. The old man, a ruthless tycoon in his prime, had been drunk at the wheel, but the Yan family influence had buried it. To atone, Mr. Smith, then a business associate of the Yan family, had been coerced into funding Xiao Yan’s upbringing.

“Make him succeed,” the old Yan had demanded. “Erase the debt.”

Mr. Smith had complied, turning Xiao Yan into the man he was today.

Fury surged through Xiao Yan like wildfire. Yan Yi’s family? The people who had sneered at him, tolerated him only because of Yan Yi’s stubborn defense? Yan Yi’s grandfather had killed his parents and then played savior? Xiao Yan’s vision blurred, memories flooding back, his mother’s laughter, his father’s proud smile, the funeral where he stood alone, a boy of twelve.

He slammed his fist on the desk, papers scattering.

“How could he?” he muttered, pacing the room.

Yan Yi. His sweet, innocent little omega. Did he know? No. Yan Yi adored his grandfather and spoke of him with fondness. Telling him would destroy everything, their marriage, Yan Yi’s heart. Xiao Yan could not do that. Not now.

But fate had other plans. As he stormed out of the office, his phone rang. It was the family doctor, Dr. Liu.

“Mr. Xiao, I have the results from Mr. Yan’s latest checkup. It’s good news.”

Xiao Yan’s heart skipped. “What is it?”

“Congratulations. Mr. Yan is pregnant. Eight weeks along. It’s a miracle, given his history.”

Pregnant. After four years of hopelessness, disappointments, and tears from his little omega. Xiao Yan froze in the hallway, the envelope forgotten in his hand. Yan Yi was carrying their child. A baby. His omega, his love, finally.

Tears pricked Xiao Yan’s eyes, not of joy, but of conflict. He could not shatter this moment with the truth. Yan Yi deserved happiness, peace. The stress of the revelation could harm the pregnancy, and Xiao Yan would not risk it. He drove home in a daze, after locking up the USB and documents far away from his eyes.

Yan Yi was in the kitchen when Xiao Yan arrived, humming softly as he prepared hot chocolate. He looked radiant, unaware of the storm brewing.

“Yan Ge! You’re home early.” He turned, smiling, but his face fell at Xiao Yan’s expression.

“What’s wrong? You look pale.” Yan Yi left everything worriedly and ran toward Xiao Yan, cupping his face at once.

Xiao Yan forced a smile, pulling him into a hug.

“Nothing. Just work stress. I have news. Good news.”

Yan Yi tilted his head, curious. “What?” As he circled his arms around his alpha’s neck, almost handing himself over completely.

“There’s a baby, Yiyi. We’re having a baby.” His hand rested gently on Yan Yi’s stomach.

Yan Yi’s eyes widened, his hand flying to his belly over Xiao Yan’s.

“Really? After all this time? Gege, am I dreaming?”

“The doctor called. It’s confirmed. Eight weeks.”

Tears welled in Yan Yi’s eyes, joy overtaking him.

“Oh, Yan Ge… our baby.”

He threw his arms around him again, sobbing happily.

“I can’t believe it. I’ve waited so long.”

Xiao Yan held him tight, guilt twisting in his chest.

“I’ll take care of you. Both of you. No stress, no worries.”

They spent the evening celebrating, cooking Yan Yi’s favorite foods, cuddling on the couch, dreaming of the future. Yan Yi talked endlessly about nurseries, names, and welcoming the little life into their world. Xiao Yan listened, nodding, his mind racing. He could not let Yan Yi near the Yan family now. Not with the truth hanging over them.

As time passed, Xiao Yan gave various reasons for Yan Yi not to see his family. He never allowed Yan Yi to go back to the Yan family estate despite the continuous urging of Yan Yi’s parents. He always insisted he could take better care of Yan Yi at home.

“For your health,” he would say. “The pregnancy is delicate. Stay home and rest. I’ll handle everything.”

Xiao Yan would add, not wanting to worry his pregnant omega, “I’m doing this for both of you. I’m just worried, Yiyi.”

Yan Yi, ever trusting, agreed.

“As long as you’re with me, I’m fine.”

His parents visited occasionally, bringing gifts and well wishes, wanting to take their son home, but Xiao Yan kept them at bay, citing doctor’s orders.

“He needs rest. He’s my omega. I’ll take better care of him,” Xiao Yan insisted.

Yan Yi’s mother protested mildly, but Yan Yi waved it off.

“Yan Ge knows best. He’s my alpha.”

Inside, Xiao Yan battled demons. Every time Yan Yi mentioned his grandfather, fond memories of chess lessons and family stories, Xiao Yan’s blood boiled. The man who killed his parents was the same one Yan Yi idolized. How could he protect Yan Yi without breaking him?

Weeks passed. Yan Yi’s pregnancy progressed smoothly, his belly swelling gently. He glowed, his omega instincts heightened, nesting in their bedroom with pillows and blankets. Xiao Yan doted on him, massages, midnight cravings fulfilled, work delegated so he could be home early.

“You’re my priority,” he would say, kissing Yan Yi’s forehead whenever Yan Yi grumbled that he was being too clingy.

Yet the secret festered. Xiao Yan burned the documents and USB in his fireplace one night, watching the flames consume the evidence. But the knowledge remained, poison in his veins. He avoided Yan family events, making excuses. Yan Yi noticed the distance but attributed it to overprotectiveness.

“You’re so possessive. Don’t tell me you want to lock us up here forever?” he teased, snuggling closer.

“Yes, you naughty little omega. I should just lock you up here forever, let you wait for me to come back home and take care of you properly,” Xiao Yan whispered into Yan Yi’s ear, knowing his omega liked being teased.

Yan Yi turned completely red, blushing furiously. He hit Xiao Yan’s chest a few times before hiding his face there, making Xiao Yan chuckle and pull him closer.

One afternoon, as Yan Yi napped, Xiao Yan sat by the window, staring at the garden. The Yan family had taken everything from him once. Now they threatened to take Yan Yi too. But Yan Yi was innocent, blissfully in love, devoted. Xiao Yan would bury the truth for the baby’s sake, for their family’s sake.

He would do everything but never allow them to take his omega and child away. He was Yan Yi’s rightful alpha. They could not take his omega away from him.

Yan Yi stirred, calling softly,

“Yan Ge? Come lie with me.”

Xiao Yan joined him, wrapping his arms around Yan Yi’s growing form and protruding belly. He knew too well how much Yan Yi was attached to his presence. The omega could barely sleep peacefully without him nearby.

“I love you, baby,” Xiao Yan whispered, meaning it more than ever.

“I love you too,” Yan Yi replied contentedly.

But shadows loomed, unseen.

The past was not done with them yet.