CHAPTER 15: CHAPTER 15: GETTING A CHECKUP

At noon, everyone went to the cafeteria for lunch.

Sophia Lowell called Ethan Sinclair, wanting to schedule a meeting with Zane Sterling. Ethan directed her to the elevator, and she went straight up to the CEO’s office.

"What’s the matter?" Zane Sterling looked at his computer, his face still showing little expression, but—

He was wearing a white shirt today, with an added vest, making his demeanor seem more grand than usual.

Was this the white shirt she had ordered for him?

Sophia walked straight over and placed the bag in her hand on his desk. "Returning your clothes, thank you."

Zane glanced at the bag, then at her, and asked, "Not feeling well?"

"Hmm..." After their conversation yesterday, she felt there was no need to discuss personal matters. She quickly said, "If there’s nothing else, Mr. Sterling, I’ll be on my way."

"Hmm."

——

Feeling dizzy and severely nauseous, she took the afternoon off and went to the hospital.

While waiting in line, there were many people ahead of her. She fell asleep in a daze and only woke up groggily when her name was called.

After Sophia briefly explained her situation, the doctor began asking questions.

"Name."

"Sophia Lowell."

"Age."

"Twenty-two."

"Did you have intercourse last month?"

"...Yes, but I took medication."

"Medication only prevents about ninety percent of cases. There’s still a small chance of pregnancy. Let’s start with an ultrasound."

The doctor was very experienced, speaking with a smile.

Sophia was so frightened that she tightly clutched her white chiffon dress, sweat forming on her forehead.

This contraceptive isn’t foolproof?!

She swallowed and walked out with the slip, feeling distracted and absent-minded.

Her eyes turned red as she thought about her mother.

Her mother had once been like this, with a businessman, had her, and raised her alone. Only Sophia and her mother knew the hardships they endured.

Walking down a deserted hallway, she looked at the ultrasound slip, terrified that the results would reveal a little baby. That would truly be disastrous!

She’s only twenty-two; she hasn’t even figured out her own life yet.

Taking a deep breath, she tried hard to relax, but the more she tried, the more tense she became.

She was pondering whether to message Zane Sterling, but he had already blacklisted her. Calling him, this big shot might not even pick up.

This made her even more distraught!

Sophia bit her lip, doing her best not to cry.

Just then, she saw a familiar figure walking toward her.

Sienna Lawson, not even three months along, wasn’t showing yet, but she already exhibited some maternal posture.

An older maid accompanied her, her hands full of the necessary items, following along carefully.

"Sophia, here for a check-up too?" She asked with sarcasm, eyeing Sophia’s conspicuous early pregnancy test slip.

Her eyes were devoid of light, her eye bags heavy and gray, starkly different from the charming and delicate beauty she used to be.

"Sienna." Sophia folded the slip and hid it behind her.

"Impressive tactics!" She gritted her teeth, wishing she could tear Sophia apart right then!

"Why are you so angry?"

Sophia scoffed, knowing what she meant. She felt both smug and sorry at seeing her looking so lost.

Sophia lost a jerk, but Sienna, she lost a husband and a child’s father.

In comparison, Sophia was the lucky one.

"Hmph!" Tears streamed down Sienna’s face.

"Now that the marriage alliance between the Lawson and Quinn families is off, are you happy? Henry Quinn loves you, yet I am pregnant with his child. You harbor revenge. Dare you say it’s not true?!"

Sophia, faced with her questioning, did not deny:

"Whether I know about your and Henry’s affairs or not, I have always remained silent. It was your uncle who spread the facts. Can you blame me?

In the end, it was you who lacked self-respect. The Lawson and Quinn families initially aimed for a marriage alliance. It was your own fear that I would snatch him away that made you act so foolishly, simply superfluous!"

"Sophia! You’re just a child born out of wedlock! How dare you criticize me?!"

Sienna and Sophia used to be best friends, able to talk through the night, but now she was attacking Sophia’s family background, making Sophia momentarily dazed.

She did not retort, remaining silent for a long time.

Unexpectedly, the two finally met as enemies.

It was only when the broadcast called her name that she snapped back to reality.

She didn’t want to argue; after all, it was a hospital. Their conversation had already attracted quite a few strange looks, and she didn’t want to draw more attention.

"Sienna, let’s leave it at this from now on." Sophia wanted to leave but was blocked by Sienna in the hallway.

"Sophia, it’s been less than a month since you and Henry broke up. Are you messing around with some wild man and using me and Henry as a shield?"

"Sienna, show some respect!" She had been patient enough!

If she weren’t possibly pregnant, she would have really wanted to go up and slap this bitch!

"Haha! Sophia! What are you nervous about?!" Sienna stepped forward and snatched the slip from Sophia’s hand.

"Give it back!"

Sophia tried to retrieve it but was blocked by the maid accompanying Sienna!

"As expected!"

Sienna immediately recognized what the slip was about.

Sophia’s nose reddened, and her eyebrows turned crimson as well.

For many years, classmates would often make fun of her being illegitimate, but whenever that happened, Sienna would stand up for her. Now she was using Sophia’s weaknesses against her.

Sienna chuckled softly, mocking her for being flirtatious, for pretending to be too dignified in front of others. "Do you know why I’ve protected you all these years?"

Sophia didn’t know before, but now she could vaguely guess.

"Because Henry liked you, I liked Henry, and I had to play the most pleasing role in front of Henry. Everyone said I was kind-hearted, and Henry began to accept me, but who knew how much I hated you inside!"

Sienna’s words struck Sophia like a bolt from the blue!

So even friendships can be deceitful.

All these years of concern and affection were fake.

Boyfriend was fake, best friend was fake too.

Ha...

Sophia realized this, and tears unwillingly fell down.

"Give me back the slip." She struggled to control her emotions, speaking to her slowly, word by word.

"Tell me who the adulterous man is, and I’ll give you the slip back."

Sienna pulled the maid away and approached Sophia.

Sophia wasn’t stupid; she wouldn’t fall for her scheme.

Zane Sterling was a notorious titan in the fashion industry, recognizable and feared by everyone. Mentioning his name, Sienna surely wouldn’t believe her and would humiliate her instead.

Moreover, Zane had deleted her yesterday. Even if she admitted it, Zane might not acknowledge it publicly.

"Give me back the slip!" Sophia reached out to grab it, but unexpectedly, Sienna suddenly slapped her.

"Smack!"

Sophia’s face burned hot as if the hospital air had frozen, the bustling hospital suddenly grew silent, and only the broadcast endlessly called Sophia’s name.

Sophia didn’t want to argue further; she just wanted to get the slip and leave this revolting person.

She reached out again to reclaim the slip, but Sienna, taking advantage of Sophia’s inattention, reached out once more.

The slip was snatched back, and Sophia thought she’d be hit again. Unexpectedly, Sienna’s outstretched hand froze in mid-air, stopped by a large hand.

...