CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: AFTER ALL, THIS IS HER FIRST PREGNANCY

"I think you also want to keep the child!" Stella Fletcher teased with a playful look on her face.

Her intentions exposed, Vivian Lynch blushed and instinctively touched her flat belly. The twins inside were already three months old, and in another month, she would be able to hear their heartbeat. She truly couldn’t bear to abort the children.

After all, this was her first pregnancy.

The moment she found out she was pregnant, besides feeling nervous and scared, she felt more joy at becoming a mother for the first time.

"Stella, let’s not talk about this. We should hurry up and go!" Vivian quickly changed the topic.

Stella nodded, "Okay."

Just as they were about to hail a cab, a luxury car suddenly stopped in front of them.

The window rolled down, revealing the disliked face of Sean Sinclair.

"Sean Sinclair?" Seeing him appear, Stella Fletcher immediately became furious, "You scumbag, do you still have the face to show up?"

Saying this, Stella was about to step forward and speak up for Vivian Lynch.

Vivian hurriedly held back the emotional Stella, "Stella, let it go. It’s all in the past."

Sean Sinclair got out of the car and rushed over to Vivian, looking anxious, "Vivian, have you seen Jessica?"

Before Vivian could speak, Stella responded angrily, "Sean, are you crazy? Your new flame is missing, what does it have to do with our Vivian?"

"No, Jessica Hart is missing. I haven’t seen her for days and I can’t contact her."

Vivian looked at the anxious Sean without feeling any emotion.

"If you can’t contact her, go to the police. There’s no point asking me." Vivian said coldly, and was about to leave with Stella.

But Sean wouldn’t give up, stretching out his hand to block their way, "Vivian, I know you were classmates. She doesn’t have many friends in Aethelgard, so I thought I’d ask if you’ve seen her. I’m really worried about her."

Hearing this, Stella glared at Sean, "Sean Sinclair, don’t go too far! You heartlessly abandoned Vivian and cheated with that tramp Jessica. Did you ever show this much worry? Now that Jessica is missing, you come looking for Vivian. What do you take her for?"

Vivian took a deep breath to suppress her emotions, "Sean, I’ve already said I don’t know where she is and I haven’t seen her. You should find her yourself! Don’t come looking for me again."

With that, she led Stella past Sean and headed straight to the roadside to hail a taxi.

As the taxi drove away, Sean watched with regret. He knew he had lost Vivian and the happiness he once had.

But for now, he needed to find Jessica.

Standing there, Sean muttered to himself, "Even Vivian doesn’t know where she is. Where could she have gone? Could something have happened to her?"

In the taxi, Stella looked at Vivian with concern, "Vivian, are you okay?"

Vivian smiled, "Don’t worry, Sean is a thing of the past for me. I never loved him, so I won’t be sad or upset."

She paused and continued, "In fact, I should thank Jessica for teaching me a lesson and showing me Sean’s true colors early."

"You’re right to think that way." Stella was pleased, "A scumbag like Sean never deserved you."

"But, I think President Hawthorne isn’t bad." Stella said excitedly.

Vivian laughed and asked, "How do you know he’s not bad if you’ve never met him?"

Stella smiled mysteriously, "Do I need to meet him? I can tell from how you talk about him. He helped you in your toughest times and is considerate and caring towards you. Isn’t that the mark of a good man? Plus, anyone that Vivian praises must be great."

Vivian blushed slightly, "We’re just in a contract marriage."

"But he’s the father of your child and your nominal husband. He’s handsome, rich, and treats you well. Where else could you find such a good man?" Stella nudged her with her elbow.

"Speaking of which, haven’t you fallen for someone as perfect as Caden Hawthorne?"

Vivian looked down and spoke softly, "Stella, don’t make it sound so simple. We’re just in a transaction. Once the contract ends, we’ll go our separate ways."

Stella shrugged it off, "Vivian, don’t be so pessimistic. Maybe during your time together, he really fell for you. And now that you’re carrying his child, that’s destiny."

Vivian was silent for a while, "Even if he does like me a bit, we’re from different worlds, and the gap is too wide. I don’t want to fall into another hopeless relationship."

"Vivian, don’t lose faith in love just because of a scumbag like Sean."

Stella held Vivian’s hand, "President Hawthorne is different from Sean. You should bravely give yourself a chance."

Vivian looked at Stella’s concerned eyes, feeling a bit shaken.

She couldn’t deny that President Hawthorne had indeed given her much warmth and help, making her days with the Hawthorne Family a time of reliance and affection.

But she still didn’t dare believe that this warmth could last.

After all, people’s hearts can change. She would rather believe Caden was good to her because of the child in her belly than think he liked her.

So, Vivian didn’t dare to give her heart. She was afraid it would ultimately lead to endless pain.

"Stella, let me think about it." Vivian said softly.

"Vivian, think it through! A man as good as Caden Hawthorne is rare. Even if he doesn’t like you, don’t you like him? If you like someone, courageously express it. Maybe it’ll work out!"

Vivian remained silent, just looking out the car window, lost in thought.

She gently touched her stomach, filled with uncertainty about the future.

She really seemed to like Caden Hawthorne a bit, but when she asked him last night, he told her not to overthink.

At that moment, Vivian buried her feelings for him deep in her heart.

She was afraid that if she voiced them, they couldn’t maintain the status quo.

If he proposed to end the contract, what would she do then?

Central Hospital

Vivian Lynch and Stella Fletcher found their way to Mr. Lynch’s hospital room, based on information provided by Finn Lynch.

She pushed open the door and saw Mr. Lynch lying in bed, looking pale and haggard.

Finn Lynch and Mrs. Lynch weren’t there, and seeing Vivian, Mr. Lynch’s eyes flashed with surprise, "Vivian, why are you here?"