Olivia suddenly remembered that her mother-in- law had advised her not to announce the pregnancy within three months, fearing that it might affect the stability of the pregnancy. It was an old-fashioned belief passed down by the older generation, but it showed her mother- in-law’s love. So, she had not told anyone else apart from the people at the clinic. She looked at Halma, who wore a curious expression, and whispered, “I’m pregnant.”
Halma was surprised and happy upon hearing this. Her gaze immediately fell on Olivia’s small abdomen. “You’re already pregnant with a second child right after getting married? That’s quite fast, isn’t it?”
Olivia sighed helplessly. “This child was unexpected, but now, they’re the hope to save Blake.”
Halma seemed to understand suddenly. “Oh, right. The umbilical cord blood can save Blake.”
Olivia nodded. “Yes. That’s why this child came at the right time.” Halma smiled and looked at Olivia’s belly. “How long has it been?”
Olivia replied, “Barely eight weeks.”
Halma smiled and said, “Looks like I have to prepare a gift for my goddaughter.”
Olivia was speechless. “Why are you assuming it’s a daughter?” Halma paused for a moment and then smiled. “Isn’t that what Eugene said too?”
Olivia grumbled, “Not just him; even those little ones say the same. Let’s see what they say if I end up giving birth to a son.”
Halma laughed heartily. “Feeling lots of pressure?”
Olivia huffed. “What does it have to do with me? The gender of the child is supposedly determined by the father, right?”
Halma looked at Olivia, who was complaining but had a face filled with happiness, and felt a tinge of envy. That was probably what love should be like.
Eugene was strong, but Olivia was not a pushover either. They were a perfect match made for each other. Unlike her, there was a vast gap between her and Nathan.
Suddenly, her mood turned low. It was such a noticeable change, and Olivia naturally noticed it. “What’s wrong? Where’s Nathan?” Halma took a deep breath. “We haven’t seen each other for a long time.”
Olivia was a bit surprised and furrowed her brows. “What happened?” Halma smiled, but it carried a hint of bitterness. “I’m not good enough for him; why should I hold him back?”
Olivia’s expression turned serious. “What about Nathan? How does he feel? Hasn’t he come to see you too?”
“He has. I just don’t wanna see him,” Halma said with a tinge of weariness. “Maybe I don’t like him that much anymore as I’ve exhausted all my passion after seven years. Or maybe I never liked him, but it’s just that he was always the one I couldn’t have, so I was persistent in being with him. Perhaps we’re just not suitable as lovers, right? We’re unmatched in terms of backgrounds, personalities, values, and careers. Your relationship is sweet and smooth, while ours has been full of ups and downs. We argue every three days, even as friends. If we date, I doubt it would be a happy life.”
Olivia furrowed her brows as she wondered when Halma had become so pessimistic. “Who says you guys are unmatched? Nathan? Or his family?”
Halma added, “Nathan’s mother approached me and said that she would like me very much if Nathan and I were friends, but she hopes that Nathan will find a girl who can help the family business as his marriage partner. She phrased it politely, but it basically means she doesn’t approve of us together. She even asked me to persuade Nathan and follow the arrangements made by the family. Sigh…”
She chuckled before she finished speaking, but there was a sense of desolation behind that smile. “Isn’t she forcing me to break up with Nathan on my accord? Can I control myself from not seeking him out? Can I refuse to see him when he comes to find me? How does she expect me to persuade him to marry someone else? Does she think I don’t know how painful it is?”
She suddenly plopped on the table, but Olivia still noticed the tears rolling down her cheeks.
