All Chapters of Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Charlotte had kept the secret for almost three months, hiding it behind layers of excuses, long nights, and evasion. But the reality was undeniable now—she could no longer keep her pregnancy from Utter. The baby was his. It was time to tell him, even if it felt like the weight of the world was about to come crashing down on her.She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. Her body was changing, the evidence of the life growing inside her was becoming harder to ignore. Her fingers brushed over her stomach, the small bump now visible beneath the fabric of her loose top. She had kept it hidden for as long as possible, but every day it became more difficult to conceal.She thought about Utter—his cold demeanor, his calculated moves, and the way he had always treated her with a mix of indifference and possessiveness. She had never imagined that a child, his child, would ever be a part of the equation. But now it was here, and she had no choice but to face him.The decision

The office was dimly lit, the only sounds coming from the rhythmic tapping of keys and the occasional rustle of paper. Kim and Jane were sitting side by side, sifting through Madison's files. But despite the serious nature of their work, an undercurrent of tension was thick in the air. It was undeniable—the atmosphere between them had shifted.Kim had noticed it earlier but had chosen to focus on the task at hand. He couldn’t afford to be distracted, not now. But as the hours wore on, he couldn’t ignore it any longer. Every time he glanced at Jane, there was a heaviness in the air, a lingering uncertainty.Finally, Jane set down the file she was holding and looked at Kim, her gaze more intense than usual. Her fingers drummed lightly on the desk as she took a deep breath.“You know,” she began, her voice low, almost as if she was testing the waters, “I’ve been thinking about us. About everything.”Kim froze for a moment, his chest tightening. He didn’t want to go down this path again.

The hours that followed were filled with a quiet sense of relief. Riele and Harry sat by their mother’s side, taking turns talking to her, letting her know they were there and that they wouldn’t leave. Riele couldn’t help but notice the subtle improvements—her mother’s eyes followed their movements, and though her speech was still soft and fragmented, it felt like a sign of progress.As the evening wore on, Riele felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. She looked over at Harry, who was sitting quietly beside their mother, his hand resting gently in hers. He looked as though he was holding on to something far more precious than just his mother’s hand. For all the time they had spent apart, for all the uncertainty they had faced, in this moment, it was as if nothing else mattered. It was just the three of them again.A soft knock at the door interrupted the peaceful silence. Riele looked up to see Charlotte standing in the doorway, her face a picture of concern and warmth.“How is she?

The morning sunlight filtered through the hospital windows, casting a soft glow over the room where Riele sat beside her mother. It had been a long road to get here, with weeks of uncertainty and doubt, but today felt different. Riele could feel a shift in the air, as though the moment they had all been waiting for was finally within reach.Harry stood by the door, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a quiet concern. He hadn’t said much since arriving, his thoughts clearly elsewhere as he observed their mother from a distance. Riele could feel the tension in his silence, but she also knew he was here for the same reason as her—hoping that today’s therapy session would bring another step in their mother’s recovery.Dr. Lowell, the neurologist in charge of their mother’s treatment, entered the room with a gentle knock, his face marked with a hopeful expression. He was a man of few words, preferring his actions to speak for him, but Riel

Kim sat back in his office chair, staring at the glowing screen of his laptop. The message he had just opened made his heart skip a beat. He blinked a few times to make sure he had read it right.The competition, which had originally been set for three months away, was now scheduled in just four weeks. The new schedule, with such a short notice, seemed impossible to comprehend. He had barely registered the information when his phone buzzed, alerting him to a new message.It was from the competition organizers:Subject: Important Update – Competition RescheduledDear Participants,We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen logistical challenges, the upcoming competition has been moved to four weeks from today. This change was made to ensure a smoother experience for all involved. Please adjust your schedules accordingly and ensure your travel and preparation plans are aligned with the new date.Thank you for your understanding.Best regards,The Global Innovation Competition TeamK