Arianne did not really feel like moving out. “Tiffie, I understand what you mean, but I moved here because I don’t want to stay alone. We can do this. I’ll save some for Rice Ball and my personal expenditure when I get my salary each month. I’ll pass everything else to you for food, rent, utility bills, and whatnot. I won’t have anything to give your mom when she asks for it since my money is with you.”Tiffany could only agree. “I guess that’s all we can do. Don’t worry. You don’t usually eat at home, only during weekends. You don’t have to bear the living cost. After dividing the rent, utility bill, and everything else, I’ll save what’s left for you. I won’t spend it on nothing. Just don’t let my mom see that we have any money.”Just as Arianne lay down, Tiffany suddenly exclaimed, “Ari, look! Someone took photos of us buying the Chinese-style omelet wraps! There are even photos of us coming home. Rumors are spreading that you’ve divorced Mark and moved out of the Tremont Estate. It’
After Tiffany bought the pregnancy test kits, Arianne tested it instantly and received the result in less than five minutes. Two bars. She did not dare to believe it and decided to test it again tomorrow morning. The results would be more accurate in the morning.When morning came the next day, she was in despair. She was really pregnant. Calculating the time, it must be around three months now. It was then she realized how long it had been since she had left the Tremont’s. It felt surreal.After Arianne confirmed the results, Tiffany asked, “What’s your plan? The baby is Mark’s, right?”There was a momentary silence from Arianne before she answered, “Both Will and I were unconscious that day, it’s nearly impossible for anything to happen. It can only be Mark’s. However, he definitely won’t believe it. He didn’t believe it the first time, he definitely won’t believe it this time. I genuinely can’t stand how he questioned me about the baby’s father with his cold and indifferent tone at
Looking around at the pregnant ladies accompanied by their husbands, Arianne felt slightly gloomy. When it was finally her turn, Tiffany went in with her. After a blood draw and an ultrasound scan, the doctor looked at the results and said, “Baby is 12 weeks old and is quite healthy. This is your first checkup? You shouldn’t be so careless. Have your file documented and come back punctually for your checkups.”It was already past two in the afternoon when they left the hospital so they headed to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Tiffany had two big servings since she was extremely hungry. “It’s so troublesome to do a checkup. One full day is gone. There are too many people in the public hospital. Why don’t we go to a decent private one? Otherwise, I’ll suffer and you’ll suffer even more each time.”Arianne stroked her belly. It was slightly protruding, and she could feel a tiny bump. She could not help but smile. “Yeah, let’s go to a private hospital next time. I know of one.”When they r
Lillian agreed easily and showed Arianne her loving side. She reminded her what to watch out for and what to eat during her pregnancy, citing herself as an experienced person. However, in Tiffany’s words, Lillian’s experience was only limited to being pregnant and giving birth. She did not know anything else. Her daily meals were prepared by nutritionists, so Lillian actually knew nothing.Early the next day, Tiffany went downstairs to queue up for some Chinese-style omelet wraps. She was reluctant to see Arianne line up with a baby bump. Her line of vision involuntarily traveled to the front of the line. It had been a while since Ethan showed up. Was he tired of the dish or was it his current partner who was tired of it? He probably wouldn’t be coming anymore…Realizing that her thoughts had gone astray, Tiffany shook her head. That man was not worthy of her longing anymore.As she bought the breakfast, Arianne came out with her purse as well. Tiffany passed her the steaming omelet wr
While she had time, Tiffany downloaded a maternal and child health app onto her phone and filled in the information according to Arianne’s current state. She recorded everything that she needed to take note of, including what Arianne could and could not have. Engrossed in her phone, she didn’t notice a large hand knocking at her desk. “Are you ever going to stop slacking off like this during work?”Tiffany looked up at Jackson before returning back to her phone. “I don’t have any tasks now. Are you assigning something to me? I’ll do it right away if you are.”Noticing that she was focused on her phone, Jackson couldn’t help his curiosity and decided to take a glance. He was stunned when he saw the maternal and child health app. He blurted out, “Who’s pregnant?”Tiffany was taken back. “I… I am… Aren’t you getting a bit too personal as my boss?” She couldn’t give away Arianne, for if Jackson knew that the latter was pregnant, that meant that Mark would know too. Panicking, she was unabl
Tiffany’s heart rate sped up. She didn’t have any man around her usually and she wasn’t close to her colleagues, so there was hardly anyone to show concern for her. She did not expect Jackson to believe her casual lie and actually take responsibility for it!“There’s no need for that… Don’t worry about me, I can handle it by myself,” Tiffany rejected kindly, the offer very nice for a pregnancy that didn’t exist in the first place. She would expose herself if the topic continued to be discussed.“It’s better to have the abortion as early as possible, since dragging it out won’t be good to you. That aside, from now on, I’ll pack you lunch every day. You need to stop eating at the office’s cafeteria. The food there is decent, but the meals don’t exactly maintain the balanced diet a pregnant woman needs. We’ll make do with the White Waters Bay Restaurant for today.” Jackson was composed, perfecting his plans for Tiffany within minutes.Tiffany would feel worse and worse if she continued ly
When office hours were ending, Jackson texted Tiffany. “I’ve got a dinner to attend tonight so I can’t watch over you. Remember, don’t eat what you shouldn’t.”Tiffany felt bewildered reading the text. Why was the man being so nice? It was as if the baby was his. A sense of frustration clawed at her as she went home after work without replying.Upon arriving home, she found Lillian having fruits on the couch. “Tiffie, I don’t have any more cash. Auntie Renee invited me for mahjong tomorrow. Give me three hundred dollars.”“Three hundred? Just sell me off, okay? Are you still eating? Still turning the AC on? You always lose but you keep going at it. I have nothing to say.” Tiffany changed out of her shoes and went back to her room.Lillian’s face fell as she said in a louder tone, “If that’s the case, do you think Mark will thank me and offer me some reward if I tell him that Arianne is pregnant? I’ve got no choice but to ‘make’ money on my own if you refuse to give me some. Say, he’ll
Arianne was speechless as she walked over to clean the mess. The takeout from two days ago smelled horrible, as if it had started to rot. Being more sensitive to smell now that she was pregnant, she couldn’t help but dry heave. Suddenly aware of the situation, Lillian exclaimed, “I forgot that you’re pregnant! Leave it, leave it, I’ll clean it up. Wash up and go rest! Do you want to eat anything? I can order takeout for you!”Shaking her head, Arianne held her breath and cleared garbage off of the coffee table. “Auntie Lane, Tiffie is tired from work too. You shouldn’t trouble her with minor tasks like these when you can handle them too. The other chores, like mopping the floor or cleaning the house, can be done over the weekends.”Lillian agreed but her eyes were glued to the television, obviously making perfunctory replies.Arianne did not have the heart to say anything else, taking her clothes and going for a shower. She got off work quite early today but still felt thoroughly exhau