?Chapter 1717:


    Ethan had originally intended to surprise his mother by visiting her first, but Elsa had chosen to stay at Brindleton Girls’ School for the summer, offering free piano lessons to bright-eyed students who loved music.


    Over the past two years, Elsa had chosen to stay in Brindleton, seldom returning home or showing much interest in Ethan and Brenna’s wedding ns. She waspletely absorbed in a career that fulfilled her. When Kenny visited her, he had been stunned by how tough the conditions were there and asked her toe home. But she had refused.


    She told him she loved her life there—no scheming, no drama, and everyone treated her with respect. It gave her a sense of pride she hadn’t felt in years.


    Kenny went back a few more times, hoping to change her mind, but eventually, he stopped trying. Now, he just sent food and supplies to her every so often, quietly making sure she was okay.


    When Ethan and Brenna arrived at Emmett’s home, they found him and his wife grinning from ear to ear, an ultrasound report on the table before them. Both looked over the moon.


    Ever since her miscarriage, Shari had never been able to move past it. For thest two years, she had been desperate to try again, talking about it constantly with Emmett.


    After months of medication and six grueling months of IVF treatment, her persistence had finally paid off—she was pregnant again.


    This time, the fetuses looked strong and healthy, not as fragile as before.


    “Emmett, can you believe it? I’m finally going to have my own babies!” Shari eximed as Ethan and Brenna stepped inside.


    The couple exchanged a nce, both a bit stunned.


    Ethan, in particr, struggled to ept this. His father—sixty, retired, and preparing for grandchildren—was about to have more children of his own. It felt odd.


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    Still, Ethan swallowed his difort and forced a polite smile. “Congrattions, Dad. And congrats to you, too, Shari,” he said.


    Shari was fifty. Women having children at her age weren’t unheard of, just umon.


    It struck her as unusual, too, but the happiness far outweighed any hesitation.


    When she saw that Ethan and Brenna weren’t judging her, her tension melted away. Their polite smiles reassured herpletely.


    “Come, sit down! You must be exhausted from the trip,” she said warmly, ushering them to the sofa.


    As soon as they were seated, she handed the ultrasound report to Brenna, her eyes gleaming. “Look, I’m really about to have my own kids!”


    Her voice trembled with emotion. “I got marriedte, already in my forties. I’ve always dreamed of having children, and now, finally, it’s happening. What do you think, Brenna?”


    The question was more loaded than it seemed; Shari was testing Brenna. If Brenna was supportive, she would treat her better from now on. If not, she would shut her out, the way she treated Rosanna.


    Rosanna had visited a month ago and reacted with disgust, calling the pregnancy ridiculous and even suggesting that Shari terminate it.


    Brenna looked at the report. Twins, eight weeks, viable pregnancy.


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