Everly patted Olivia on the shoulder. "Liv, I know you too well. It's the same as back when I scrounged for money to buy a house for that jerk."Almost everyone has been through silly times when they thought love was the only thing to live for. "Look, I'm focusing on earning money now, and I'm equally satisfied."The two recalled their youthful times, and they felt much better.Licking her lips, Everly said, "Liv, I'm kinda thirsty. Peel an apple for me, will you?"She continued without missing a beat, "I still remember when I first got to know you. You didn't even know how to peel an apple back then."When we visited our teacher, you peeled so much of the apple that only the core was left. "We even laughed at your knife skills. Then, for the sake of Ethan, you—"Before Everly finished speaking, she saw Olivia suddenly extending her right hand. As Olivia's palm lowered weakly, Everly's voice came to an abrupt stop."Sorry, Eve. I can't peel the apple for you. I'll go get the
Everly sniffled, looking at Olivia in bewilderment. "The good news."Olivia slowly touched her tummy. As she lowered her gaze, her face was filled with gentleness."I'm pregnant.""What?"Everly almost choked on her saliva. "What about the bad news?""It's Ethan's child."It took a long time for Everly to digest this news. She gaped, unsure of what to say.After a long while of calming down, Everly finally spoke up. "So he chose to get married to Marina while you're pregnant? "Is there something wrong with him? Does he seriously have to get married to her?"Olivia shook her head. "He doesn't know that I'm pregnant. In reality, he doesn't even know that he slept with me.""So you did in vitro fertilization?" Everly blinked. "He's good-looking, yes, but he's not the only handsome man in this world."Why don't you broaden your horizons a little? You could've gotten a prettier baby."Olivia said, "Oh, come on. He was ill and feverish when he slept with me. He wasn't conscious
Under Everly's cover, Olivia entered the ultrasound room.On the surface, she was accompanying Everly to get an examination. But in reality, she was the person who lay on the bed and rolled up her clothes.The female middle-aged doctor was very gentle. "Don't worry, I'll examine the baby thoroughly for you."Smiling, Everly said, "We owe Calvin another favor now."The cold probe slid around the surface of her tummy. Olivia was both nervous and anxious.She had been in ill health for the past six months. She even had chemotherapy six months ago, so she didn't know if it would affect the child."Doctor, how's the child developing?"The doctor chuckled. "They're still too small, so I can't be sure yet. "Still, the gestational sac is at a normal size so far, and there are no signs of ectopic pregnancy. "Everything is normal, so don't worry too much.""Thank you, doctor.""You're welcome. Remember to maintain a good mood. Eat more vegetables and fruits, and take folic acid ev
If Everly were the one saying those things, she would look like she was spouting nonsense. It would all sound like lies.But when Olivia was the one saying it, it rang truer than solid cash.She had the air of a noble and elegant young lady. She looked like she came from a respected family, which was a far cry from the talkative Everly.Everly gave her good friend a thumbs up in her heart. She had to give it to Olivia, who had painted a good image of her in front of her boss right away."You're too kind, Ms. Fordham. I heard Hilton mention about you as well. As expected, seeing is believing."Ms. Fordham, you're such a noble character. It's hard to imagine someone as brash as Hilton would be friends with you."Everly glared at him. She didn't mind if he praised Olivia, but she would have none of his insults.Walking up to Olivia, the man extended his hand. "My name is Henry Synder. Nice to meet you."He had extended his right hand. Olivia glanced at him, feeling a little trou
There was a thud on the other end of the line as if something heavy had hit the ground. Then, Ethan's voice sounded in disbelief. "What did you just say? Pregnant?""She's taking folic acid. If she's not pregnant, why would she take something like that?"Ethan gritted his teeth. "Are you sure you're not seeing things?""Come on, I know I grew up overseas, but I can still read Arlandian. I know how to read folic acid."The call ended at that moment.Henry frowned. He wondered what had happened with Ethan, for Ethan didn't make sense these days.Everly dashed toward Olivia, stuffing the folic acid into the latter's hands. "Don't forget to add this to your vitamins.""Thanks.""No need for thanks. You have to give birth to a healthy baby, alright?" Everly patted Olivia on the shoulder.Olivia nodded. As if thinking of something, she asked, "No one saw you, right?""Don't worry, I'm very fast. This packaging is so fancy that dumb man won't understand what it is at all."Olivia
Olivia instinctively put her hand on her tummy. But then, she feared that Ethan would notice it, so she hastily retracted her hand.But her movements only attracted even more attention. Ethan saw all that.As he slowly walked toward her, Olivia's heartbeat quickened.When Ethan's hand touched her back, she felt as if everything just exploded. She had goosebumps all over her. Fear spread from the spot he touched to her entire body.She suppressed her panic, trying her best to look calm."What are you doing?""You seem to be scared of me, Liv."Olivia gulped. Then, she said in a cold voice, "It's disgust, not fear. Ethan, has anyone ever told you that you're annoying? "Since you're going to marry Marina soon, stop messing around with me!"Ethan slowly bent over, his authoritative air looming over Olivia.He whispered in Olivia's ear, "Liv, you're very nervous."It wasn't a question; it was a statement.A bead of sweat rolled down Olivia's forehead. Even she wasn't sure why
Ethan had only uttered one word, but Mona's knees went weak. Dropping to the floor, Mona said, "Mr. Miller, I'll tell! I'll tell you everything!"Ethan frowned, thinking that Mona gave in a little too soon. He hadn't even pressured her."Go ahead.""I felt that it was a pity to throw away the roses we trimmed from the garden, so I sold them at night for a dollar each."I didn't mean to be greedy. I just need money, and my grandmother has gotten sick, too. I'm sorry, Mr. Miller. I won't do that again."Ethan frowned even deeper. "That's what you wanted to say?"Mona wiped her tears. "There's more. I'll tell you everything. "When I was trimming the trees, my hand slipped, and I accidentally trimmed the heart shape into an apple."Mr. Miller, please don't question my work etiquette. I was just a little feverish that day."Holding his fingers against his forehead, Ethan had a look of annoyance on his face. "What nonsense are you talking about?"I'm asking you to tell me about
Mona gave Ethan a weird look. She could see that Ethan was being very considerate and nice toward Olivia recently.He was about to marry Marina, but everyone in the Manor of Roses could see that he was sincere toward Olivia.Mona was surprised that Ethan didn't even know about his wife's pregnancy symptoms."I heard from Ms. Fordham that she didn't have much experience back then. "The nausea lasted for three months, and the baby didn't seem to be developing well."In the early stages of pregnancy, women should get progesterone injections every day. "My mom got those injections, too, and she said it's very painful."But Ms. Fordham looked forward to that child very much. There wasn't any fetal heartbeat even after more than 40 days. "The doctor advised against keeping the child, asking her to get an abortion."But she begged the doctor to wait another week. She was terrified in those few days. "It was a good thing that she persevered. The fetal heartbeat was detected after