Inside her apartment, Suzan stared at the pregnancy test in her hand, heart pounding with excitement. Two bold red lines. She could hardly contain her joy.


    Finally. She had done it.


    After all her careful nning and anxious anticipation, her dream wasing true atst.


    At first, Suzan wanted to call Mitchell right away and share the news. But almost immediately, she forced herself to calm down. She wasn''t sure how Mitchell would react to her pregnancy.


    Lately, Mitchell''s attitude toward her had been hot and cold. Still, thanks to some subtle maneuvers on her part, things between them had improved somewhat.


    But Suzan wasn''t taking any chances. She needed everything to go perfectly. Her thoughts quickly turned to Adeline.


    Suzan knew Adeline had always wanted a grandchild. If she found out Suzan was pregnant, she''d be over the moon.


    Suzan decided she''d find a way to let Adeline know-casually, of course. But for now, she nced at the clock. It was almost time for work. She hurried out the door and headed to the office.


    Since the recentpetition, Suzan had stepped away from the spotlight, but with a new collection in the works, her schedule was packed. As creative director, every sketch from the design teamnded on her desk for review.


    She offered feedback and suggestions, asserting her authority with confidence.


    At the office, everyone now saw Suzan as the boss''s wife. After Effie''s resignation, Suzan all but ran the ce.


    The staff treated her with respect, partly because Mitchell seemed to ept Suzan''s takeover without protest. Naturally, everyone followed his lead.


    Still, behind closed doors, employees whispered about thepany''s future, convinced that E&M was heading for disaster. Mitchell had little understanding of design, and Suzan was hardly an expert herself. Worse, she liked to act superior, pretending to know more than she did, and her management style was autocratic. The staff agreed: it was only a matter of time before things fell apart.


    But with Mitchell letting Suzan handle everythingtely, no one dared voice their frustration.


    Suzan swept into the office that morning, dressed to impress. Now, with her secret ace up her sleeve, she felt more confident than ever.


    She settled into what had once been Effie''s office-she''d imed it on purpose, a symbolic victory. As far as Suzan was concerned, she''d already reced Effie entirely.


    So much for Effie''s supposed talents. Thepany was still running just fine, wasn''t it?


    Suzan sat back in the chair, basking in her triumph, waiting for the designers toe in with their updates.


    It wasn''t long before hermanding voice rang out from her office. Outside, employees exchanged weary nces and shook their heads.


    These days were hard to bear. How they missed having Effie around.


    Around noon, Sigrid called and invited Suzan out for lunch and a bit of shopping. It was a regr arrangement; Suzan liked to y the generous friend, always happy to pick up the tab.


    Mitchell had a business dinner that night, so Suzan was d for thepany. She epted Sigrid''s invitation without hesitation.


    After all, Suzan''s ultimate goal was to be Mrs. Lloyd, so she needed to stay in Adeline and Sigrid''s good graces.


    Besides, today she had good news to share-though she didn''t want to make it too obvious.


    Sigrid''s invitation was perfectly timed.


    Suzan carefully chose a loose-fitting dress that hid her still-t stomach and gave her an air of gentle elegance. She stood before the mirror, applying a touch of pink lipstick, and smiled in satisfaction.


    "Suzan, you''re looking more beautiful every day!" Sigrid gushed as soon as they met, looping her arm through Suzan''s and showering her with honeyedpliments.