Juliana was pregnant, and she and Scott couldn''t have been happier.


    Scott was already in his mid-thirties and still childless, so of course, he''d been anxious. His family had even started nudging him—some not so subtly—to find another woman and have a baby outside the marriage. But Scott, always busy with work and, more importantly, respectful of Juliana, had never given in.


    Honestly, things between them hadn''t always been smooth. Their marriage was more of a business deal than a love story, and Juliana hadn''t made things easy. Scott had nearly caved to his family''s wishes more than once. But with the news of the baby, Juliana''s genuine smile returned, and it felt like they''d gone back to the early days of their marriage. Scott swore he felt years younger. The Juliana he''d fallen for was back.


    They went to the doctor and got it confirmed-Juliana was just over a month along. The stomach pains had been from early pregnancy symptoms and eating ice cream in the summer heat.


    Juliana shuddered at the thought. “I promise, no more ice cream,” she told Scott, halfughing, half-scared.


    "We really have Anastasia to thank for catching it," Scott said. "You should thank her when you see her."


    That was when they realized Anastasia had slipped out unnoticed.


    Juliana nodded. "You''re right. I really owe her." For the first time, Juliana mentioned Anastasia''s name without any bitterness.


    The truth was, Juliana hadn''t always been sharp or petty. She''d only changed after Layna came back to the Stranz family.


    Scott brought Juliana home, canceling all his evening meetings just to be with her. This pregnancy was a huge deal for both of them, and Scott couldn''t keep the news to himself-he called his family right away.


    Juliana, swept up in the excitement, set aside Anastasia''s earlier warning and called her own family. For years, she''d been the target of whispered insults, called a "barren hen? behind her back, and endured more than enough humiliation. Now, finally, she could lift her chin and smile.


    Hearingughter from both sides of the family over the phone, Juliana felt a weight lift off her shoulders.


    Soon, gifts and care packages started arriving from both families-vitamins, soups, expensive treats. Scott''s mother even showed up in person, handing Juliana a bank card and promising her a luxury vi worth millions if she could deliver a baby boy. Being treated like this, after all those years of being ignored, made Juliana feel dizzy with happiness. She''d spent years in the Stranz family, and with no child, her mother-inw had always looked down on her. Now, the tables had turned.


    "Mom, boy or girl, it doesn''t matter," Scott said, standing up for Juliana. "Don''t put so much pressure on her."


    "It''s not the same!” Mrs. Goad


    insisted. A boy can inherit the family


    business. A girl just marries out


    Juliana, you have to give us a boy. If you do, the vi is yours. If it''s a girl, there''s nothing."


    Juliana''s happiness faltered. Scott frowned. "Mom, maybe you should go home. Juliana needs to rest."


    He quickly ushered his mother out and came back to find Juliana looking quiet and withdrawn. "Don''t let her get to you," he said gently


    Just having a child is a blessing." Focus on resting."


    Juliana nodded and checked the time. "Oh no, I forgot to pick up Layna from school."


    "I''ll have the housekeeper do it," Scott said. "From now on, let''s let the housekeeper handle Layna''s rides. You just rest, okay?"


    “Alright.” Juliana touched her belly. "I''m going to take care of myself and give birth to a chubby, healthy boy."


    She was determined. It had to be a boy. Only then could she finally feel proud.


    Scott wanted to say that it didn''t matter, boy or girl, but in the end, he kept quiet. That evening, Layna came back from school.


    Juliana was upstairs resting when Layna spotted Scott leaving his room, phone pressed to his ear. "Uncle!" she called out.


    Scott just waved and signaled that he was busy. He disappeared into his study.


    Layna tiptoed into Juliana''s bedroom. "Auntie, why didn''t youe get me today?"


    Juliana was lying on the bed,


    reading a book with "The Expectant


    Mothers Guide to Clueless


    Husbands in big letters on the


    cover. Layna''s face changed the


    second she saw it.


    to''


    Juliana didn''t notice and set the book aside, smiling brightly. “Layna, I have some


    good news! You''re going to be a big sister-I''m having a baby!"