Chapter 4
That afternoon, Gabriella got out of bed to handle her discharge paperwork.
The doctor gave her an unexpected blow.
“Ms. Watson, you’re already over three weeks pregnant. I recommend staying a few more days to rest–there’s been some signs of a threatened miscarriage.”
Gabriella stared blankly at the report. Pregnant? Now?
Turning a corner, she caught a familiar voice.
“Mom Thia, you’re having a baby, right? Yay! I’ll be the best brother ever!
“Dad, are you so happy you’re acting silly?”
Cynthia gently tugged at Daniel’s cheek. “Did you hear? The doctor said you’re going to be a dad.”
Daniel’s eyes were red, and he hurriedly scooped Cynthia into his arms.
“I love you, Thia. Thank you for bringing this life into the world. I’ll love you both without reservation.”
The report slipped from Gabriella’s hand and fluttered to the floor.
She was pregnant at the same time as Cynthia. How absurd.
She didn’t even need to ask Daniel what he thought. She couldn’t keep
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this baby.
And she feared that, like Jerome, the baby would hate her, wanting another woman as their mother.
Gabriella turned back and scheduled a procedure with the doctor for a few days later.
That night, Daniel finally returned home, drenched in sweat.
He dropped to one knee, taking Gabriella’s cold hand. “I had to run into the office for something urgent, and when I got back, you’d already discharged yourself. You rushed home while still sick… Don’t scare me like that, okay?”
Gabriella’s expression was blank as she stared at the floor. “I’m fine now. Staying in the hospital was uncomfortable, so I came back.”
Daniel’s unease eased slightly, though he still probed. “Did something happen on the way? You seem off lately.”
“Nothing. You’re overthinking.“.
He was about to speak again, but Gabriella buried herself in her phone.
“I’ll make you a pot of seafood chowder,” Daniel said. “You probably haven’t had much appetite with the cold. This will be good for you.”
Rolling up his sleeves, he went into the kitchen, preparing the meal with practiced ease.
Gabriella remembered when Daniel had only drunk alcohol and refused to eat–she had gone to endless lengths to get him to eat, including making this chowder.
Once he learned how, he’d started making it for her anytime he could.
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Back then, she had thought their love could last a lifetime.
Her phone chimed–Jerome had dragged a “reluctant” Cynthia into the house.
“Jerry, don’t do that. Your mom’s sick. Your dad’s taking care of her; that’s his job. I can’t be here–your mom wouldn’t like it.”
“Why wouldn’t she? I want you here, so you’re here! With Dad and me protecting you, she won’t dare kick you out!”
Normally, Cynthia wouldn’t have dared to show up at Gabriella and Daniel’s home so boldly.
This time, her confidence came from the baby in her belly.
Jerome shoved Cynthia onto the couch, sticking his tongue out at Gabriella like a defiant child. “I want Thia to play with me. You can’t kick her out!”
Cynthia smiled, her expression unreadable. “Sorry, Gabriella. I’ll just stay a little while, then I’ll go. Don’t want to ruin Jerry’s fun.”
Gabriella snapped back sharply. “If you didn’t want to come, why can’t you let go of my son? Cynthia, you’ve been waiting for this day a long time, huh? All that pretending–I’m exhausted just watching.”
Cynthia wasn’t expecting Gabriella’s bluntness and hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Then she leaned back lazily. “Gabriella, the bathwater was perfect. We even lingered in the tub after.”
Gabriella’s stiffened, frozen in place. She realized that night Cynthia had known the servant was her all along and deliberately made Daniel
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reward her, humiliating her on purpose.
Daniel came out carrying the chowder. Sensing the tension, he quickly defended Cynthia.
“Honey, Jerry likes Thia. She’s just here to play with him. Don’t overthink it.
“And she wanted to see how you’re feeling, just chat a bit.”
Gabriella ignored his half–hearted explanation, turning toward the stairs. “It’s fine. You guys do what you want. I need to rest.”
Daniel didn’t notice her mood anymore. His attention was entirely on Cynthia.
From downstairs, laughter and chatter floated up. Gabriella stared into the distance, calculating the time until she could finally leave.
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