8

Stella took a number at the hospital and lined up. She described her symptoms to the doctor when it was her time.

The physician gave her a peculiar look. "Have you been sleepy lately?"

She gave a nod.

"Did you feel nauseous when you're brushing your teeth in the morning?"

Stella  gave another nod.

"And do you occasionally have the urgency to urinate?"

Stella was a little confused by this question. She paused to consider, then nodded once more. "Does this have anything to do with my illness?"

With a helpless expression on her face, the doctor asked again, "How long has it been since your menstrual period?"

When Stella heard that, she calculated, "A little over a month..." She didn't realize what the doctor was getting at until she said those words. Her expression gradually softened to one of comprehension.

The physician grinned. "I take it you've engaged in sexual activity lately? You need to focus more on your physical well-being. I refuse to write a prescription for you. To be sure, you should go get a new number instead."

With a dejected expression, Stella departed the hospital. Instead of taking a new number, she dared to go to the pharmacy and get a pregnancy test kit.

She locked herself in the bathroom as soon as she returned to the Conrad residence. Stella  waited for what seemed like an eternity, anxiously. She felt prickly from her illness at first, and nearly puked again when she noticed the pregnancy test was positive. She couldn't believe it when she gazed down at her round belly.

Everything happened so quickly at the moment, and she never even got married to her spouse. After running away from home in a panic, they made her marry another man before she could tell anyone what had happened. She missed her opportunity to take emergency contraception tablets since she was so distraught and had forgotten the entire experience. She had now at last noticed the tiny life growing inside her. Not at all!

Stella put her palm over her mouth. She remained stunned. No, she couldn't be in a panic because she wasn't really sure about this. Perhaps the pregnancy test was inaccurate. To be sure, she ought to visit the hospital.

She proceeded to pick up the test and discard it in the garbage. She rose and walked out of the restroom. Stella  wondered if her overwhelming guilt was a sign of her impending pregnancy. She stepped out of the bathroom, still scanning the area in case Clarence appeared.

Clarence , fortunately, didn't come back until much later in the evening. Stella’s terror increased the later it grew. She quickly showered, pulled her suitcase outside, and sat on a stool to wait outside the door.

Clarence noticed her sluggishly seated on the stool at the entryway when he returned from work. There was nothing for her to do. She had not been prescribed anything by the doctor for her cold.

Stella  only drank water the entire day because she was too preoccupied with wondering if she was indeed pregnant. Despite having a cold, she hadn't taken any medication. In addition, she hadn't had enough sleep, so her cold was already worse than usual.

Clarence , a little taken aback, turned to face the small woman. Was she here the entire day? Upon a second glance, he noticed that she had showered and changed into new clothes. She must have gone to his room to take a nap while he was away, and before he returned, she must have moved outside the door. She still appears to be somewhat self-aware.

"Mr. Conrad?" Joseph  needed more explanation since he was still perplexed. "Do you want me to-"

"Let her be."

"Okay."

His wheelchair was pushed into the space by Joseph. Stella  woke up with a start when she heard the door close. Her head felt so heavy. She was itching to go to sleep.

After giving her temples a quick massage, she  got up and went downstairs. She proceeded to the kitchen and filled a cup for herself. She took a few mouthfuls and then felt queasy once again. She quickly put down her cup and hurried out of the kitchen because she was so terrified.

"Grandpa always has faith in your ability. Regarding how you would handle this, I have no worries."

"Yes, Grandpa."

Stella almost ran into Greg when he was speaking with Jude  as she hurried out of the kitchen. For a brief period, they gazed at one another.

Greg’s gaze hardened. "Jenna?"

Panicked, Stella  unconsciously straightened her back and nodded.

"Clarence should be in his room right now with you. What prompted you to descend the stairs?"

"Uh..." her crimson lips pursed slightly, but Jude spoke up first. "You're correct. You slept outside his room last night in the corridor, the maid told me earlier. You now appear to be pretty ill. Is it as a result of your cold?"

"What?" Greg’s  face took a turn. "You took a nap in the hallway? What is happening?"

Stella  was taken aback. She chewed the inside of her lower lip. It's finished. Why was Jude the one who had to inform him of this? Clarence  would suffer a tremendous deal and Greg might even know her true identity if he chastised her later. Her heart was racing with fear that it might happen.

Stella waved her hand briskly. "Mr. Greg, nothing of the sort occurred. Last night, I was simply too exhausted to stay awake, so I dozed off in front of the room without anyone noticing. Upon awakening, I staggered back into bed."

Greg had severe, piercing eyes. He gave off the impression that he could read people's thoughts.

He groaned a few moments later. "Liking about Clarence  is not necessary. I know him all too well, being his grandfather. I was self-centered to allow you to wed him."

Stella’s head came up. His words complimented her somewhat and shocked her. It surprised her to learn that Greg was treating her with such consideration, as she had assumed he was harsh and intimidating.

"Please accompany me. Come with me to talk to Clarence ." After he was done talking, Greg used his cane to help him walk upstairs.

Stella’s  expression changed, and she moved fast to follow him. "Mr. Greg, please don't!"

Greg paused his pace upon hearing this. "Don't? Would you like to spend your entire night sleeping in the hallway and be the laughing stock of the staff?”

Jude advances as well and nods in agreement. “Indeed. Not to add that sleeping in the doorway is not an option. It will be too much for your body to handle."

Stella shook her head and bit her lip. "I'm doing great. Really, I worked too hard yesterday. I'll make sure to enter the room this evening. Please don't worry about Clarence  and me having a relationship, Mr. Greg. I'll take good care of him because I married into the Conrad family."

After hearing her out, Greg remained silent for a considerable amount of time. Finally, without further comment, he turned to walk away.

Jude glanced at her hopelessly after Greg went. "Come on, why won't you let me help you?"

Stella gave him a quick glance. "I'm fine."

Without saying anything else, she turned and headed upstairs.

Clarence was considered attractive by many even if his legs were weak. They thought he was quite capable even though he used a wheelchair because of how active he was at work. However, he had no women by his side. This time, Greg  married him off without consulting him, and  Clarence  wasn't even present. As a result, the Conrad household's maids were quite certain that the recently wed woman was not appreciated. They would therefore unavoidably say something negative about her in private.

Stella passed a number of maids on her way upstairs. The maid deliberately knocked her shoulder, causing her to stagger back a few feet.

Luckily, she could steady herself by holding onto the banister. "You..."

"I apologize, Missus. I just didn't notice you. I mistook you for a maid since I was so preoccupied with my work. I apologize. Do you need my assistance?”

The maid's comments were appropriate for her rank in the hose, but the way she delivered them was so haughty and conceited that it was obvious she had no intention of moving forward and assisting her.