Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love-Chapter 135: Getting A Sister

"It’s me! Can I come in?" Alfred Sutherland called, knocking on the door to his parents’ room. Despite their age, he had learned—sometimes the hard way—that it was better to announce himself before entering. His parents might have been older, but they were still, well...active. And Alfred didn’t need another traumatic reminder of how he came into existence.

"Ah, it’s Alfie..." Lydia’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of red as she smiled at Arthur. Her excitement was palpable, her voice brimming with anticipation. "Tell him about his sister."

"Yes, let’s," Arthur agreed, his own grin breaking through. His excitement matched hers, and the two exchanged a look of conspiratorial glee.

Arthur opened the door to his son, who hesitated on the threshold, his cautious gaze scanning the room for signs of impropriety. Thankfully, his parents were fully dressed and seated. But experience had taught him that when the door was locked in the middle of the day, it was often better to steer clear.

"Come in, Alfred!" Arthur beckoned enthusiastically, ignoring his son’s visible hesitation. "Don’t be so formal."

Alfred stepped inside, wary but curious. "I have a presentation later, and I wanted to clarify some points about the administrative process..." he started, his tone all business, as usual.

"Oh, stop being so studious for once!" Arthur interrupted, chuckling as he grabbed his son’s arm and pulled him toward the bed. "Always so serious. Relax, sit down, and have a chat with us. Not everything in life is a test, Alfie!"

Alfred’s brows knit together as he perched on the edge of the bed. His parents were acting strangely, and he couldn’t help but feel like he was about to be ambushed. His father’s grin was suspiciously wide, and his mother’s eyes glimmered with mischief. Whatever this was, he wanted it to be over quickly.

"Okay," he said cautiously. "What’s this about? Did I do something wrong? Is this an intervention?"

Arthur laughed heartily. "You always think the worst. Relax, son. We have good news." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Lydia nodded, her smile soft but radiant. "Very good news, Alfie."

Alfred’s nerves only deepened as he watched his parents exchange glances, each silently urging the other to take the lead. He folded his arms, bracing himself. "Alright, out with it. What’s going on?"

Arthur cleared his throat, his excitement bubbling over as he finally said, "You’re getting a sister."

Alfred blinked, his brain grinding to a halt. "What?"

"You’re getting a sister," Arthur repeated, his tone unbothered, as if announcing something completely normal.

Alfred’s mouth opened and closed as he tried to process what he’d just heard. "You’re kidding, right? A sister? Now?" He stared at his parents, disbelief etched on his face.

Alfred’s mind raced, his thoughts a chaotic storm as he processed what his father had just said. A sister? How could that even be possible? He glanced at his mother, her radiant smile, her delicate hands folded neatly in her lap. She didn’t look pregnant—not that he’d ever thought much about what his mother would look like pregnant. God, why am I even thinking about this? He felt a pang of unease twist in his gut.

He’d spent his entire life knowing his parents as his parents—the stable, loving figures who were far removed from anything that hinted at unpredictability or impulsiveness. Sure, they were affectionate, sometimes embarrassingly so, but this? A baby at their age? It felt surreal, almost absurd.

But the thought wouldn’t leave him. Could it really be true? He replayed his father’s words in his mind, dissecting every syllable. He glanced at his mother again, scrutinizing her carefully. She looked as graceful and composed as ever, her posture relaxed, her cheeks flushed with joy. No way, he thought. She’s too old for that...isn’t she?

Alfred’s pulse quickened as a series of questions flooded his mind. What does a geriatric pregnancy even mean? Is it dangerous? Can she handle it? He tried to recall some vague health article he’d read about late pregnancies but came up empty. Why didn’t they tell me sooner? Have they been hiding this from me? A twinge of guilt surfaced as he realized how little he truly knew about his parents’ lives outside of their role as, well, parents.

The logical part of his brain fought back, trying to inject some reason into the madness. This has to be a prank. Maybe Dad’s pulling my leg. But the look on their faces—the genuine joy shining in their eyes—made him hesitate. What if it’s not a joke?

And then came the deeper, more selfish thoughts—the ones he didn’t want to acknowledge but couldn’t suppress. I’m 23. I’m at the age where they should be pestering me about grandkids, not giving me a sibling! What’s this going to look like? His mind raced ahead, conjuring future scenarios that made him cringe. Everyone will think my sister is my daughter. And what if they can’t keep up with her energy? I’ll have to step in, won’t I? The thought of juggling his own life with the responsibilities of being an older brother—practically a surrogate parent—felt overwhelming.

Another pang of guilt hit him. This isn’t about me. If they’re happy, I should be happy too, right? But that small voice of reason struggled against the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. He ran a hand through his hair, glancing between his parents again. Their laughter and warmth only added to the surreal nature of the moment.

Finally, he couldn’t hold it in any longer. "Mom, what did the doctors say? You don’t look pregnant at all. It’s a geriatric pregnancy, and are you healthy enough to..." His voice trailed off as his father’s laughter erupted, shaking the walls of the room. Arthur doubled over, clutching his stomach, while Lydia stifled a chuckle behind her hand.

Alfred froze, his words hanging awkwardly in the air. Oh no. What did I just say? His father’s reaction confirmed his worst suspicion: he’d just made a complete fool of himself. The heat of embarrassment rushed to his face, and he clenched his fists in frustration. Seriously? They’re laughing at me? After dropping a bombshell like that?

"You think your mother is pregnant?" Arthur managed between fits of laughter. The sound of his father’s mirth only deepened Alfred’s annoyance. He shot his father a glare, his face a mix of indignation and confusion.

"You said I’m getting a sister!" Alfred snapped, his voice rising. "What else was I supposed to think? You couldn’t have worded it better?"

Lydia, her eyes soft with amusement, reached out to him again. "Oh, darling, no. I’m not pregnant. I promise." Her voice was calm, reassuring, but Alfred wasn’t ready to let go of his frustration just yet.

"You could’ve led with that," he muttered, crossing his arms. His parents exchanged another glance, and their shared laughter continued. Alfred buried his face in his hands, letting out a groan. Why can’t they just act their age for once?

But as his father began explaining the truth about Jerica, Alfred felt his annoyance begin to dissipate. The weight of the revelation shifted from confusion to awe. His frustration softened, replaced by a tentative excitement.

An older sister... The thought was foreign but oddly comforting, and as it settled in, a small smile tugged at his lips.

"Jerica..." he murmured, testing the name on his lips. The idea of having a sibling—an older sister, no less—felt foreign but oddly comforting. His lips curved into a genuine smile as the thought settled in.

"I could get used to this," he said quietly. And he meant it.