CHAPTER 2: CHAPTER 2: LET ME KISS YOU, COMFORT YOU

Outside the door came Julian Fordham’s voice: "Victoria, are you in there?"

Victoria Monroe picked up the pregnancy test stick from the floor, and seeing the two lines on it, she was so happy she started to cry, eager to immediately share this good news with Julian Fordham.

Recalling how her period had been delayed by ten days several times before, she had thought she was pregnant.

The disappointment of not being pregnant from the last check-up made her not want Julian Fordham to experience it again.

"Mm." Victoria Monroe hurriedly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and put the pregnancy test stick away safely.

Better to wait until after a detailed check-up at the hospital to confirm before telling Julian Fordham.

She pushed open the door, meeting Julian Fordham’s scrutinizing gaze.

"Why are your eyes so red?" The man’s brows furrowed slightly as he reached out to touch the redness at the corner of Victoria Monroe’s eyes.

Victoria made up an excuse, "I just read a tragic novel, and it really got to me."

She hooked her arms around Julian Fordham’s neck, changing the subject, "You’ve been traveling every day, can’t you spend more time with me?"

The man lowered his head, resting it against hers, speaking gently, "Once I secure this big order, I’ll find time to take a vacation and spend it with you, but darling..."

His hand wrapped around her waist, "I missed you so much."

Before Victoria Monroe could react, the man’s warm kisses already landed on her neck.

Since returning from Europe, nearly twenty days had passed, and Julian Fordham had been busy with work. Today, finally having some free time, he held Victoria Monroe’s soft body, and all his fatigue disappeared.

However, today Victoria Monroe was not as cooperative as usual.

Her small, soft hands pressed gently against his embrace, and with a shy blush, she said, "Today is not a good day."

Since she hadn’t confirmed if she was pregnant yet, if she truly was, after they had worked so hard for this precious baby, they couldn’t be reckless now.

Julian Fordham kissed her hand, "Is it your period?"

Victoria Monroe nodded, wanting to give him a big surprise after the check-up.

The man’s eyes were filled with desire, drifting from her long neck to her rosy lips, "Then... how will my wife make it up to me?"

As her body was placed on the bed by the man, Victoria Monroe felt a bit tense.

Julian Fordham always had a strong desire for her, and although he accommodated her in bed, having abstained for twenty days, now was when his desire was at its peak.

"Julian, tonight really isn’t okay..."

"Good girl, Victoria, I won’t do anything. I just missed you a bit. Let me kiss you, hold you."

The man’s sweet words were like an impenetrable net, enveloping her within.

In the intense moment, Julian Fordham clasped her fingers, kissing her hair, "Victoria, if I made a mistake, would you forgive me?"

Victoria Monroe’s eyes still carried the moist remains of passion, "That would depend on what mistake. As long as it doesn’t involve a matter of principle, I wouldn’t blame you, because the person I love most is you, Julian."

Even though she thought it unlikely, Victoria still stroked his cheek and asked, "So, Julian... did you cheat?"

To her, that was the only unpardonable mistake.

If money was lost, it could be earned again, if work was lost, it could be found again.

But if a man cheated, he became tainted.

She wouldn’t want anything tainted!

In the bedroom, only one lamp by the bedside was lit, and Julian Fordham stood with his back to the light. Under the shadows, it was hard to discern the expression in his eyes.

All that could be heard was his low and hoarse voice, making a solemn and serious promise: "Victoria, I love you, I would never betray you."

Victoria Monroe received the answer she expected, snuggling against his neck, "We’ve been through thick and thin together for eighteen years. If even you cheated, there wouldn’t be any good men left in the world."

Julian Fordham patted her head, "It’s late. Get some rest, I’m going to take a cold shower."

Hearing the sound of running water from the bathroom, Victoria Monroe’s thoughts couldn’t calm down even now.

Her mind was full of the two lines on that pregnancy test stick.

If she really was pregnant, would the baby be a boy or a girl?

Regardless, Julian Fordham would be as happy as she was.

When Julian Fordham finally came to bed, chilled from the cold, Victoria Monroe instinctively snuggled into his arms, mumbling, "Julian, tomorrow I’ll give you a surprise."

Julian Fordham thought she was talking in her sleep, bending down to plant a kiss on her brow, "Alright, I’m looking forward to it."

The next day.

Victoria Monroe went to the hospital first thing in the morning for a series of check-ups.

When the doctor said, "Miss Monroe, congratulations, you’re pregnant," Victoria Monroe was already in tears.

On this journey, only Doctor Zhou knew how much she had endured.

Three years of continuous treatment, multiple rounds of ovulation stimulation injections, each ending in disappointment.

Doctor Zhou handed her a tissue, "The fetus is still very small, we can only confirm pregnancy for now. Miss Monroe, you must take good care in the first three months. We’ll do more detailed prenatal exams as the baby grows."

"Thank you." Victoria Monroe couldn’t wait to share this good news with Julian Fordham.

Even before her retirement, Julian Fordham had been eagerly anticipating this child.

Now, their dream had finally come true.

Her hand hesitated, putting away the phone; she didn’t want to tell him such an important thing through cold text.

She didn’t inform anyone and went straight to his company.

She took the private elevator directly to the top floor to his office, knowing there was a morning meeting in progress, she’d sneak in first to surprise him.

Victoria Monroe tightly clutched the chain of her handbag, nervously yet excitedly pushing open the door to the executive office.

She could already imagine the expression on Julian Fordham’s face when he learned about the baby.

Would he be as overwhelmed and cry out loud as she did?

"Beep—"

The door opened, and the smile on Victoria Monroe’s face froze when she saw the scene in front of her.