?<strong>Chapter 526:</strong>


    The warmth vanished entirely from Carrie’s expression, reced by a sharp edge. Her tone turned cold. “You’re with Lise? Where are you two going?”


    Kristopher, bncing the conversation and the urgency to board, quickly exined, “There’s a project issue overseas, so I need to go to Steu Skua. Lise’s heart medication ran out, so I’m bringing her along to refill it. It’s just convenient timing.”


    Carrie let out a soft, bitterugh. “How very convenient.”


    The wind whistled loudly through the phone, and Kristopher didn’t seem to catch the bite in her tone. He continued, “Don’t be weighed down by the elders’ expectations. We don’t have to push ourselves. Before, we only talked about nning for a baby to reassure my family. You shouldn’t feel pressured.”


    He paused briefly before adding, “I’ll handle everything as quickly as I can ande back soon. Oliver is managing the wedding details, so nothing will be dyed. I have to board now and turn off my phone.”


    Carrie swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper as she said her goodbye. The line went dead.


    For a long moment, Carrie stood frozen, the phone still pressed to her ear as if clinging to the conversation. Slowly, she lowered the phone and stared at the pregnancy report in her other hand. So, the talk of trying for a baby had only been to appease his family. Nothing more.


    She had believed that his desire for a wedding with her came from love, that his talk of a child was part of building a life together.


    But now, it seemed like everything had been an illusion — a story she had spun for herself. Around her, life went on—people moved past her, chatting andughing, oblivious to the hollow ache taking root inside her. Eventually, she pulled herself together, tucking the report and her phone back into her bag. Lowering her gaze, Carrie ced a hand over her abdomen and whispered softly, “Baby, tell me… Am I making the right choices?”


    Her eyes lifted to the street ahead, watching the bustling crowds go about their lives. The same loneliness she had battled for years crept back, settling into her bones. Carrie’s chest tightened as a wave of loneliness crashed over her. Her mother was gone. Gracie was still in poor health. She had no one to confide in, no one to share this moment with. She had once thought Kristopher was her rock, her one refuge. But even the strongest rocks could crack. And when the cracks appear, the pieces cut deeper than anything else.


    After a long moment, she reached into her bag, pulling out her phone. Scrolling through her contacts, she paused on Camille’s number. At least kindness had brought her one good friend. Just as she was about to press call, a gentle voice came from ahead, pulling her from her thoughts. “Carrie, what are you doing here?”


    A sleek ck Audi glided to a stop in front of Carrie, its polished exterior gleaming under thete afternoon sun. The rear window rolled down smoothly, revealing Daxton leaning forward. Despite the lingering pallor of recovery softening his sharp features, his presence carried an undeniable fragility yet maism.


    “Daxton?” Carrie stepped closer, startled by the sight of him. “What are you doing here?”


    Daxton smiled gently, his tone casual yet warm. “Just came for a follow-up at the hospital. And you?”


    Carrie hesitated briefly, pressing her lips into a smile as she held up the report in her hand. “I’m here to pick up my pregnancy report,” she said softly. “I’m pregnant.”


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