CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: INDUCING BIRTH

Curious as I was, I still didn’t ask Henry Preston, because he would never tell me.

Sometime later, I fell into a hazy sleep. I barely slept well last night, and now I just wanted to catch up on rest.

When I woke up, I found myself not in the car but on a bed. Looking at the surroundings, this was Henry Preston’s room.

I held my forehead, unable to recall how I ended up on the bed. Luckily, Henry came in at that moment and asked, "Had enough sleep? If so, come down to eat. My mom and everyone are waiting for you."

"I’ll get up right away!" I replied somewhat awkwardly.

Henry then left the room.

Just then, my phone rang. It was my mom calling. Essentially, she said today is my mother-in-law’s birthday, and she had already called to convey her best wishes. This call was a reminder for me to make my mother-in-law happy today.

Usually, for both parents’ birthdays, they simply send a message or a big red envelope. We, the younger generation, are responsible for gift-giving.

I agreed without hesitation, not daring to tell my mom that my in-laws were all downstairs waiting for the just-awoken me to eat.

After hanging up the phone, I rushed downstairs. As soon as I reached the dining area, I had an urge to find a hole to crawl into.

Besides Henry and my in-laws, his aunt, uncle, and other relatives filled the huge dining table.

Seeing me arrive, everyone turned to look at me.

Aside from our wedding day, never have I seen all his relatives at once like this.

"Zoe, come on!" My mother-in-law wore a red cheongsam, looking graceful and elegant. She had a gentle smile, showing no displeasure despite my delayed arrival for dinner. She waved to me, with a seat reserved by her side, and Henry sat beside the empty spot.

His aunt and others smiled at me. We don’t interact much, so we aren’t very familiar.

Once my mind was clear, I flashed a smile and sweetly greeted all the elders. Everyone there was a prominent figure in the business world.

In the past life, Henry had ruined my family, these relatives naturally helped.

Of course, I don’t blame them. It wasn’t them forcing Henry to divorce me and marry Azure Vaughn; it was Henry forcing them to assist. Blood runs thicker than water; since Henry and I didn’t have kids, anyone would choose to help their nephew or son.

I’m not foolish. If I show resentment and machinations over past unchangeable events, they’d only become wary and grow to dislike me.

They responded to my greetings, and then I said to my mother-in-law, "Mom, the gift is still in the car. I’ll go get it!"

"Henry brought it for you; I’ve already put it on!" My mother-in-law said with a smiling face, then turned to show me a delicate hairpin inserted into her traditional hairdo. It’s adorned with an elegant floral cluster made of jade beads, each one hollow, filled with precious aromatic spices, so whenever the wearer slightly moves, a gentle fragrance wafts around.

This hairpin, compared to previous jade items, isn’t as expensive but has an elegant, soothing fragrance. Naturally, my mother-in-law liked it enough to wear it immediately.

"Mom, it looks so beautiful and matches your cheongsam perfectly today!" I sincerely praised.

Mother-in-law looked even more delighted, "You have great taste, child. Every time you buy me something, I just love it so much. Come, sit down and eat."

I nodded and hurried over to take a seat.

Then mother-in-law instructed the servants, "Serve the dishes."

Sixteen dishes were soon served, a feast of delicacies with perfect aroma, taste, and presentation.

I kept in mind my mission to put on weight, eating and occasionally serving my mother-in-law, chatting with her, sometimes asking about my father-in-law’s health, reminding him of his annual checkup.

Whenever the other elders discussed topics I knew, I’d chime in appropriately.

Henry sat beside me, speaking little.

After dinner, the servants cleared the table. My in-laws stayed with the relatives in the living room, eating fruits while discussing business matters. Meanwhile, an aunt played with her grandson, laughingly saying to my mother-in-law, "Henry and Zoe should have kids too. Kenneth is always busy, so having a grandson or granddaughter at home to entertain would surely satisfy him."

Kenneth is my father-in-law.

My mother-in-law immediately glanced at me, then at Henry again, with a reproachful look, "I also want a grandchild, but Henry’s just disappointing. Recently it’s been better, less gossip, but did he even look decent before?"

I was sipping water at that moment and almost choked.

Henry’s face darkened; he probably couldn’t fathom why he was considered disappointing—what’s wrong with gossip? He hadn’t fathered an illegitimate child.

My father-in-law agreed, "Indeed, Zoe married him five years ago, waiting at home every day, while he’s barely home. How would a child come about?"

"Henry, you’re getting older too. Don’t you want to have a child?" an aunt asked.

Before Henry could answer, his uncle chimed in, "Look at your brother and sister-in-law, the second one’s almost here too. If it wasn’t that he was accompanying your sister-in-law for a prenatal checkup today, they’d have come too."

Then his aunt supported the sentiment, "Yes indeed, your parents only have you as their son. You can’t opt for a child-free life, right? Even your brother Caden is dating, planning to marry right after graduation and have kids. Your aunt and I met the girl; she’s wonderful."

"Oh, Caden’s in love now?" My mother-in-law immediately showed interest, and everyone eagerly discussed this topic.

Henry, slightly irritated from being chided by his parents, seemed relieved when the topic shifted away from him and went to cool off in the courtyard.

I followed him out; the living room was comfortably heated, making my lightweight sweater feel warm, just right to cool down outside.

We didn’t talk, simply gazing at the snow, each lost in thoughts. Henry lit a cigarette, facing away to smoke alone.

Soon, I started feeling cold and prepared to head back inside, when Henry’s phone rang. An intuitive sense told me it was Azure Vaughn calling.

Henry never shies away from answering Azure’s calls, but I had no interest in overhearing, avoiding potential agitation which might alert my mother-in-law.

So, I quickly opened and closed the door, shutting out his voice.

"Zoe, come over here." My mother-in-law noticed my return and beckoned, heading upstairs.

I hurriedly followed, suspecting she wanted to speak privately.

Once upstairs, she took my hand and quietly asked, "Zoe, did you buy the medicine based on the prescription I gave you last time? Has Henry drunk it?"

The last prescription was akin to tonic medicine, which later I had Laura Lawson source several other types. When Henry drank them one evening, they displayed potent effects.