ng, Layna


    Juliana''s door. "Auntie, I''ve been on break for a few days and my


    homework all done can go to the harbor for a few days like you said before?"


    Juliana hesitated. “Oh, the harbor..... Layna, I''m afraid I can''t take you this time. I get seasick these days, and the morning sickness is no joke."


    She gave Layna a gentle, apologetic smile. "Let''s wait until I''m feeling better, okay? Then I''ll take you, I promise."


    Herman, tired as he was, listened patiently as Anastasia shared her excitement.


    Her joy was infectious-it lit up her whole face. As long as she was happy, that was all he needed.


    "Babe, there''s something else," Anastasia went on. "Do you know why Juliana was in the hospital? She''s pregnant—she and Scott are going to have a baby! I''m so happy for her, but I''m also a little worried. You know what Layna''s like. I talked to Juliana today and told her I hope everything goes smoothly."


    “Scott called me earlier,” Herman replied, smiling. “He wanted me to thank you for him and Juliana, and they want to take us out to dinner to show their appreciation. Juliana''s carrying the Stranz family''s first grandson, so everyone''s making a big deal of it. Don''t worry, nothing will go wrong. You really should worry less about everyone else—and a little more about your husband."


    "Oh? And what should I worry about?"


    Before she could finish, Herman took her hand and ced it on his chest. "Your husband''s happiness, of course."


    Anastasia''s cheeks instantly turned bright red at the heat beneath her palm. "You''ve definitely had too much to drink... mmm—"


    Herman kissed her before she could protest.


    Every time Herman had a few drinks, he always seemed to get a little more... affectionate.


    It''s been proven—most men lose their self-control after a couple of drinks, with their desires only getting stronger. Maybe that''s why "drunk and frisky" is such a thing.


    The days that followed were a blur of busy routines.


    Anastasia threw herself into her work-her jewelry studio was booming, and her cultural heritage campaign was taking off. There was hardly time to catch her breath.


    Winter crept quietly into Riverdale, making the air crisp and the nights longer.


    Juliana was positively glowing in her pregnancy, savoring every day and taking care not to do anything that


    might risk the baby. At home, she was treated like a queen spoiled and cherished.


    After a check-up revealed she was having a boy, her inws were over the moon. Her mother-inw celebrated by gifting Juliana a new sports car and a couple of storefronts.


    Juliana threw herself into preparing


    for the baby shopping for tiny


    clothes


    theout toys, decorating


    the nursery her entire world


    revolved around her unborn child, and without noticing, she began to ignore Layna.


    Layna''s resentment only grew, deeper and darker with every passing day.


    Soon enough, winter break arrived.


    Juliana was over four months along, her belly just starting to show. Every time she caught a glimpse of her bump, she couldn''t help but smile.


    Scott was spending less time at work and more time at home, smothering Juliana with attention and making her feel a happiness she''d never known before.


    With school out, Layna wanted to visit Justin in the harbor city, just as Juliana had promised.


    One evening, Layna knocked on


    Juliana''s door. "Auntie, I''ve been on


    break for a few days and my homework all done can go to the harbor for a few days like you said before?"


    Juliana hesitated. "Oh, the harbor... Layna, I''m afraid I can''t take you this time. I get


    seasick these days, and the morning sickness is no joke."


    She gave Layna a gentle, apologetic smile. "Let''s wait until I''m feeling better, okay?


    Then I''ll take you, I promise."