Assembly Line Canaries

I was seeing a new man behind my first patron, Aaron Nashs back, when I unexpectedly got pregnant with the new mans baby. Just as I was fretting, I discovered Aaron had always been secretly in love with his step-sister. Without a second thought, I decided to find a stand-in for him.

I finally found a college student, Lily Evans, who looked about 70% like Aaron Nashs step-sister. She signed a contract with me: if she successfully took my place, shed give me half of her monthly allowance. As expected, Aaron was drawn to her, and I, the difficult girlfriend, was swiftly shown the door.

Watching the cold, hard numbers in my bank account grow each month, I smiled. If I couldn't have a mans heart, Id certainly have his money!

The third time I called Aaron Nash back from work for some frivolous reason, he finally snapped.

Viola Bernard! Can you please stop being so dramatic? Do you have nothing else to do all day? Youre so idle!

I covered my face, feigning hurt. Aaron, youve changed. You werent like this before.

He used to patiently indulge my every whim, treating me like a pampered, delicate trophy wife.

Aaron was utterly fed up. Viola, Im warning you, know your place. Dont get carried away by a little kindness. Understand your position and stop overstepping.

Aaron was truly angry. Before, I would have backed down, appeased him, and kept him from getting upset. But today, I was breaking up with him.

Aaron! You dont love me anymore! I want to break up with you!

Aarons voice was volatile. Then break up! He pointed at me. Viola, do you honestly think we were in a relationship? You were nothing more than a plaything. Stop flattering yourself.

Aarons words were too harsh, and I, being overly emotional, genuinely started to cry.

Pack your things tomorrow. Move out immediately.

I choked back a sob. What about severance? I instinctively clutched my belly. Raising a child costs a fortune. I needed to fleece him for as much as I could get. Aaron couldnt possibly be that stingy, could he?

He had indeed become stingier. He tossed a card at me. Heres five million. Take the money and get out.

It used to be at least eight million.

Aaron left. I quickly packed my things, and on a whim, sold all the expensive furniture in the house. Anything Aaron had given me, even the costly mattress, I took with me. My bank account instantly swelled with cash.

Just then, Lily called.

Sister, did you break up with Mr. Nash?

Yes, yes, just now.

Lily let out a sigh of relief, her voice light. Sister, dont you worry. From now on, even if Aaron only gives me a dollar, Ill give you fifty cents.

Good. Thats very thoughtful of you. I couldnt help but advise her, Remember to keep Aarons preferences and dislikes firmly in mind, and really grasp his step-sisters personal style.

I absolutely will. Lily was very eager. As long as she could live a life of luxury, shed do anything.

After hanging up, I single-handedly cleared out the entire walk-in closet, my back aching from the effort. Lily was the new trophy wife Id found for Aaron. A month ago, I had discovered I was pregnant, and the child wasn't his. Coincidentally, I also found out that Aaron was deeply, yet subtly, in love with his estranged step-sister. To protect the baby inside me, I had no choice but to take a risk and personally find a stand-in for Aaron. I finally chose Lily, who bore a striking resemblance to his step-sister. As expected, Aaron took an interest in Lily, and I was finally free to exit.

My belongings filled four large moving trucks. Seeing all my treasures, I was so excited I wiped away tears. The housekeeper spoke up, Miss Bernard, perhaps you should be a little more amenable with Mr. Nash. He still cares for you deep down.

No, no. Aaron had become stingy lately. Even if I blamed the baby in my belly on him, I wouldnt get much out of it. Even without Lily, he would eventually lose interest over time. This variable was better controlled by me, and I could earn double the money.

The housekeeper sighed, and the next second, he saw Aaron and Lily by his side. Lily clung to his arm like a delicate bird, looking at me with feigned unfamiliarity. The housekeeper stammered, Mr. Nash, Miss Bernard is moving out.

Aarons tone was cold. Viola, once a breakup happens, theres no going back. Dont be so stubborn. Lily looked nervous, clearly afraid I might change my mind. My eyes reddened. Aaron, you changed your mind a long time ago, didnt you? Is this woman your new favorite?

Aaron forced a smile. I dont need only you.

Butler, from now on, Lily will live here. Dont ever mention Viola Bernard again.

I clenched my fists and covered my face, barely stifling a laugh. This was perfect!

Feigning distress, I got into the passenger seat of the moving truck, continuously covering my face. Below, Aarons expression was complex, a flicker of pain in his eyes. I had never traveled in such a common vehicle before. I was always chauffeured, never letting my feet touch the ground if possible.

Aaron said, Once the arrow is shot, theres no turning back. Take care of yourself. I nodded vigorously, hoping we would never cross paths again. He handed me another card. This is the last time Im giving you money. Take care.

I hadnt expected to receive more money, and I felt a bit guilty. Yesterday, Id complained about the small severance and sold all the furniture. Now the villa was empty. The housekeeper probably thought I was being petty, selling everything just to spite Aaron, as if I actually needed the money.

The truck driver pulled away, and I let out a huge sigh of relief. Before I even reached my new home, I received a transfer from Lily: five hundred thousand.

[Lily]: Sister, how did you make Mr. Nash love you so much? My monthly allowance is a million. Ive never seen so much money in my life. I really want to be this rich forever.

I gave her serious advice.

[Me]: Do your job well and mimic Anya Nash, but whatever you do, dont let him find out youre deliberately imitating her. Otherwise, hell turn on you.

Lily was obedient and took my words as gospel.

Back home, I popped open a bottle of champagne for myself as the moving company slowly put everything in its place.

The next day, I woke up in Leo Hayess arms. My consciousness hadnt fully awakened, but my face was nestled comfortably in Leos chest.

Baby, you finally moved in here.

Honey, I was just so busy before. From now on, Ill be with you every day. Saying this, I kissed Leos face. He was my second patron and the biological father of the child in my belly.

The economy might be in a slump recently, which was why Aaron had become less generous. I was afraid of being dumped by him and struggling, so I decided to prepare a backup plan and found a new patron.

Leo made me breakfast, and I checked my bank balance while I ate. Aaron had spent more money on Lily. Lily was quite honest; the first thing she did after getting the money wasnt to enjoy it, but to split it with me immediately.

Baby, who are you chatting with?

I casually brushed him off. Just a friend.

Leo reached out and pinched the flesh on my cheek. You seem to have gained a lot of weight recently; you look quite plump.

Isnt being a little plump good? You used to say I was too thin.

I hadnt told Leo about the pregnancy because I was afraid hed drag me to a clinic for an abortion. I didnt dare to gamble on the consciences of these wealthy men. I would only tell him about the childs existence when I was further along and everything was settled. With this child, I would be set for life.

Leo kissed me. I love you no matter how you look.

After breakfast, Leo left for work. Almost immediately after, Lily called me, her voice excited. Sister, last night I slept with Aaron, and he called out Anya Nashs name in my ear.

Good thing I pretended to pass out from pleasure, otherwise I wouldnt have known how to act.

I chuckled. Next time, just pretend you didnt hear it, or directly ask who that person is. Aaron would smooth it over anyway. He and Anya could never be together, constrained by their identities and by convention.

The world of the rich is so messy! He was pretty angry yesterday when he saw the empty villa, and he even cursed at you a bit.

What did he say about me? I felt a little surge of excitement. How could Aaron be like that? Couldnt we have ended things amicably? Why did he have to curse me?

Lily repeated all the insults. He called you a drama queen, materialistic, and high-maintenance.

Hearing this, I let out a sigh of relief. This wasnt really cursing me; this was just my true nature. When I first met Aaron, he liked my straightforward, uncomplicated personality. He said he could see right through me, which made him feel secure. So people change so quickly; one moment they like you, the next they despise you. My acceptance was high, just as I, upon discovering Aaron was spending less on me, immediately sought out a new patron.

Sister, dont worry, Ill be your eyes and ears and relentlessly extract money from him.

I cautioned her, Dont be too greedy at first. If he gives it to you, take it, but dont constantly ask for more; it makes you look cheap.

Hes most accommodating in bed. Just seize that opportunity to rob him.

Lily spoke sweetly, then started showering me with compliments. Sister, youre still the best. No wonder Aaron is so obsessed with you.

She went on and on, eventually complimenting my looks and figure. Sister! Youre a goddess descended from heaven. A beautiful woman like you, even Im in love with you!

I rolled my eyes. Alright, stop. You get back to work.

After hanging up, I secretly went to the hospital for a check-up. If I could, Id check every day. Just as I got my results, I ran into Aaron.

He walked towards me. Viola Bernard, what are you doing here? He subconsciously glanced at my medical report, which I quickly hid.

None of your business. You and I are ancient history.

Aaron chuckled. Viola, youre not still throwing a tantrum, are you? I pampered you too much all these years, thats why youve gotten so audacious.

Last night, Lily and I slept together.

Aaron was trying to find regret or sorrow on my face. But he was clearly disappointed. I was perfectly fine with it. Not just after the breakup, but even if I had known he was with other women while we were still together, I wouldnt have been particularly sad. Id only be scared of being dumped unprepared.

Thats great. I wish you happiness. I clutched the report, eager to leave, but he grabbed my wrist.

Whats wrong with you? Why are you suddenly at the hospital?

I found Aarons words very strange and casually brushed him off. Just a check-up. I pulled free from his grip and walked away. His gaze behind me was so intense that I didnt dare to look back. I couldnt let him know I was pregnant, or Id be completely ruined. Getting pregnant after a breakup was one thing; getting pregnant before was cheating on him. No man would tolerate that.

Aarons face was grim. He felt Viola had lost a lot of weight. He pulled out his phone and made a call. Check on Viola Bernard, why shes at the hospital, and send me her medical report.

When I got home, I found a strange woman in my living room. I couldnt help but be wary, asking her flatly, Who are you? How did you get into my house?

Autumn Hayes scrutinized me. So youre the woman my brothers keeping?

It turned out to be Leos sister. I breathed a sigh of relief; as long as she wasnt some random woman, it was fine. Even if Leo changed his mind, it had to wait until the baby was born.

Hello, sister. Im Viola Bernard.

Autumn looked disdainful. Dont call me that. A woman like you isnt fit to enter the Hayes family home.

I smiled. Oh, I wouldnt dare. Your brother is just having some fun with me, a temporary novelty.

Hearing me say this, Autumns expression was odd, as if she were uncomfortable. Shed thought it would take some effort to make Viola understand her place. Autumns voice rose. Good that you know!

I kept smiling. In my line of work, you had to have a good mindset. Without it, you couldnt do this job. You couldnt have it all.

A few minutes later, Leo returned. He saw Autumn, his brows slightly furrowed. What are you doing here? Havent I told you not to just walk into this house?

Autumn looked a little angry. Brother! Are you afraid Ill disturb your little hideaway?

Good that you know. Leo glanced at me, then quickly pushed her out the door. Go quickly. Are you out of things to do, or just bored?

Autumn clung frantically to the door, shouting, Im not leaving! I dont want to leave!

I sighed. Leo, let her in. Its not too late to eat dinner before she leaves.

Leo relented, and Autumn quickly scurried in, giving me a look that said, Youre smart. To maintain my image as a reasonable person, I voluntarily went into the kitchen to cook. Leo was touched, kissing me. So thoughtful. Ill bring you a gift tomorrow.

As I was cooking, I didnt realize my phone, left in the living room, was ringing. Autumn picked it up without thinking. Hello? Who is this?

The caller said, Let Viola answer the phone.

Autumn frowned. What do you want? Whats your relationship with her?

Aarons voice was complex. Im her husband. Shes pregnant, and the child is mine.