At the hospital, Anastasia guided Juliana into a chair and went to sort out the registration and wait in line.


    After getting everything set, she came back with a cup of warm water. “Here, have some hot water-it''ll help a bit," she said.


    Anastasia kept herself busy, rushing around to help, which only made Juliana feel more awkward. Her pride wouldn''t let her show weakness, and her stubborn streak meant she couldn''t just ept help graciously. As she took the cup, she muttered, “Don''t think that just because you helped me, I''ll let Layna stoppeting with your daughter. Layna''s amazing-we''re not giving up anything."


    "Competing about what, exactly?" Anastasia couldn''t help but chuckle. "My kid doesn''t need anyone to step aside for her, and honestly, she''s not interested inpeting anyway. Don''t tter yourself. Even if it was a stray dog sick on the street, I''d bring it to the hospital.”


    Juliana''s face turned a shade of green. “Are you calling me a dog?"


    Anastasia shrugged. "I never said that. You did."


    "You-!"


    Before Juliana could let loose, the doctor called out, "Next, Juliana!"


    Juliana had no choice but to get up and go in.


    Anastasia, still poking at her, called out, “Need a hand getting in there?"


    “No. I''m fine,” Juliana snapped as she walked inside.


    Anastasia knew she''d refuse-it was just too easy.


    With Juliana gone, Anastasia''s phone rang. Herman''s name popped up.


    Whenever Herman had a free moment or another dinner to attend, he always called to check in.


    Tonight, he was at another work dinner, calling from the club''s courtyard.


    Anastasia gave him all the space he wanted, just reminding him, "Don''t drink too much. Take care of yourself. If you have to drink, pop some hangover pills first. Tell Nelson to keep some with him, just in case...”


    Herman loved her little reminders. They made him feel cared for.


    Suddenly, he heard someone on Anastasia''s end calling for a doctor, and his heart jumped. “Babe, where are you? Are you at the hospital?"


    Anastasia exined, "Yeah, I ran into Juliana-she was feeling unwell, so I brought her here. I''m fine, don''t worry."


    Herman let out a breath just as Scott walked over. "Mr. Salstrom you''re thest one! Still checking in with your wife? I heard something about a hospital did something happen?"


    "Yeah, something happened,” Herman said, hanging up, then turning to Scott. "Your wife''s at the hospital. Anastasia''s with her."


    "Juliana''s sick?" Scott''s face fell as he hurriedly checked his phone. No missed


    calls. His wife was sick and didn''t even call?


    Ever since the Layna situation,


    things between them hadn''t been the same, Scott hardly came home anymore, and when he did, it was usually after a few too many drinks. Ever their time together felt more like a chore than anything else.


    He tried calling Juliana, but she didn''t answer. He started to get worried. "Mr. Salstrom, could you ask your wife which hospital they''re at?"


    Back in the hospital, Juliana was lying on an exam table while the


    doctor fan


    ????


    tests: Her phone was still


    in Anastasia''s car-she''d left her


    own car parked on the street.


    After the tests, Juliana waited anxiously for the results. "Is it something serious? Am


    I poisoned or something?" she asked the doctor.


    "Just wait for the results," the doctor replied. "They''ll be out in about fifteen minutes. Bring them to me and we''ll talk."


    Fifteen minutes felt like forever.


    Juliana went back to the waiting area and was surprised to see Anastasia still there, scrolling through TikTok on her phone.


    "You''re still here?" Juliana asked.


    Anastasia nced up. "I went out of my way to help you, and you can''t even say thanks? You expect me to just leave?"


    There hadn''t been any bad blood between them before—everything had started with Layna.


    Juliana doted on Layna, and Layna insisted on butting heads with Paradise over everything. If the kids couldn''t get along, how could the adults?


    Juliana finally muttered, "Thanks."


    Anastasia raised an eyebrow. "What was that? I didn''t catch it."


    Juliana gritted her teeth. She refused to repeat herself. “Whatever. I''m going to get my results."


    By the time she made it downstairs, her report was ready.


    She picked it up and nced at the page. There, in bold letters: Early Pregnancy.


    Juliana stood frozen for a second, and then shrieked, "Oh my god, Anastasia! Anastasia!"