<b>Chapter </b><b>221 </b><b>Not </b>pregnant
Her words unraveled a mystery that had puzzled Renee since childhood. It turns out Naomi never loved her unconditionally. She was just like Ro and Grace.
Now, she understood that she had been nothing more than a pawn for her Naomi, a means to secure wealth and prestige for the Hudson family.
It became clear why she always favored Catherine when their interests shed.
Taking a deep breath, Renee tried to soothe her aching heart.
For a brief moment, an ufortable silence hung between them.
Naomi closed her eyes, as if she had used up all her strength fighting her illness.
“Renee, please don’t be mad at me…” Her words were muffled again by a relentless cough. “I did things I
didn’t want to do. That man threatened our lives if I didn’tply!<b>” </b>
The door to the hospital room squeaked open.
Renee stepped out slowly, her gaze lost in the void.
Marcelo hurried to her side, his heart racing with worry.
“Baby, what’s wrong?”
For the first time, he used the term “baby” in front of others.
He catered to her every need, hoping to cheer her up.
He looked at her, his eyes filled with concern.
Bending down to meet her gaze, he saw her tears start to fall.
She rushed into his embrace, sobbing.
He gently stroked her hair<b>, </b>trying to offer somefort.
Suddenly, a loud rm sounded from Naomi’s room.
Doctors and nurses rushed in.
Minutester, they emerged with grim faces to deliver the devastating news to Renee.
“The patient took off her oxygen mask and has passed away. We’re deeply sorry.”
Renee lifted her head, her tears flowing freely.
Ro and Grace went to im Naomi’s body from the hospital after they got a notice.
Chapter 221 Not pregnant
<b>+15 </b><b>BONUS </b>
Once <b>all </b>the <b>formalities </b>were taken care <b>of</b>, <b>Ro </b>looked around for Renee but <b>couldn’t </b>find her. He <b>stopped </b>a <b>nurse </b><b>to </b>ask if she had seen her.
The nurse said, “She just left after paying the medical bills, she left with her husband <b>about </b><b>half </b><b>an </b>hour
ago.”
Ro let out a deep sigh, his hand forming a tight fist, filled with regret.
He wished he had known Marcelo was there too. He would have arrived sooner.
In the car, Renee stared out the window, her eyes red and puffy from tears.
She sat <b>so </b>still, like she was without life.
Her <b>sorrow </b>was clear, but felt at a loss about how tofort her.
When they pulled up to the house, Marcelo signaled the driver to go ahead without them. He then wrapped his arms around Renee, lifting her onto hisp.
Renee, stirred from her daze by his touch, asked, “Are we here?”
Marcelo replied, “Yes, we’re back home now.”
Holding her close, he softly said, “Don’t you want to say goodbye to Nana?”
He was surprised she had the ward without seeing Naomi onest time.
Renee shook her head, saying, “She might not have wanted to see me.”
Then, suddenly, she turned to hug him tightly, hiding her face in the crook of his neck.
Her deep sorrow and sense of loss were palpable to him, even without her saying a word. “Honey<b>, </b>are you
feeling sad?” he asked, gently rubbing her back to offer some sce.
Marcelo was <b>out </b>of his depth trying to console a heartbroken woman, his actions awkward.
He sensed Renee and Naomi’s discussion had been about something distressing.
<b>“</b><b>Marcelo</b>…”
Her voice shook as she fought back tears.
He responded<b>, </b><b>“</b>I’m right here<b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>Struggling </b>for words, she said, “They…They never loved me. <b>Not </b>at all<b>!</b><b>” </b>
<b>Ro </b><b>and </b><b>Grace </b>never did.
<b>Naomi’s </b><b>affection </b><b>for </b>her was <b>driven </b>by her own interests.
<i>2/6 </i>
Chapter 221 Not pregnant
<b>+15 </b><b>BONUS </b>
<b>Marcelo </b>wasn’t sure who she meant, but he didn’t ask for details.
Gently holding her face, he kissed away her tears.
<b>“</b>None of that is important.”
He gazed into her eyes.
<b>“</b>My love for you is all that matters. I love you, Renee.”
Her tears made it hard to see, but she fixed her gaze on him, as though hoping he’d say those words again.
She looked as vulnerable as a lost kitten.
He could almost read her thoughts.
He had felt as if he was in a deep, dark pit these past few years, and she was like a beam of light reaching into his gloom.
With a resigned sigh, Marcelo repeated with patience, “I love you, Renee. I love you. Do you hear me?”
<b>*** </b>
As soon as Catherine left the hospital, she made a quick call to Andrew.
Impatient, he just sent her the location of a popr club and didn’t say anything more. Furious, Catherine
headed there, only to discover Andrew surrounded by women, including a not so popr online celebrity she had previously shed with.
“What a surprise to see you here, Catherine,” the celebrity said, cozying up to Andrew.
“Go away!” Catherine, with fire in her eyes, dered, “Andrew is my fiancé. Don’t you have any respect?”
“And who ims to be your fiancé?” Andrew snapped back.
He wanted nothing to do with Catherine at that moment.
How embarrassing!
The online celebrity mocked, “Catherine, everyone knows about your expulsion from the University<b>, </b>even <b>if </b>you tried to hide it. <i>Do </i>you think you’re good enough for Andrew?<b>” </b>
“Is it me who’s not worthy, or is it you?” Catherine, suddenly feeling uneasy and remembering Renee’s <b>advice</b><b>, </b>touched her stomach and stared at Andrew. “Andrew, it’s bad enough you’re flirting with <b>others</b>, but <b>to </b><b>go </b><b>after </b>Renee behind my back, how could you? I’m pregnant with your child! We were <b>supposed </b><b>to </b>get married!<b>” </b>
She was aware of his visit <b>to </b>Renee<b>? </b>
<b>3/6 </b>
Chapter 221 Not pregnant
Andrew had a moment of surprise but didn’t let it linger.
+15 <b>BONUS </b>
“Having a child is one thing. Getting married ispletely different.” He didn’t hold back. “Catherine, do <b>you </b>genuinely think that having a child grants you the privilege of being Mrs. King? Have you lost your
senses<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“You…Andrew… You’re the worst!”
Catherine was so furious she almost fell over.
“If I weren’t the worst, would I have cheated on Renee to be with you?” Andrew admitted his mistakes. “I
was foolish!”
Renee… It was always about her!
What was so special about that woman with the mysterious background?
Catherine stormed out, tears streaming down her face.
As she was going down the stairs, she slipped and fell.
A wave of fear washed over her in that moment.
Ignoring the pain, Catherine’s first instinct was to check on her belly.
This baby was herst hope!
Although she felt no immediate pain, she wanted to be sure and quickly got up to catch a taxi to the
nearest private hospital.
<b>“</b>Ma’am<b>, </b>you’re not pregnant,” the doctor remarked, clutching the report with an awkward expression.
“What do you mean? I clearly was…”
“Listen, your progesterone levels are too low for you to be pregnant. Look at this ultrasound. There’s no
embryo in your uterus,<b>” </b>the doctor rified. “Where did you get your earlier diagnosis that led to this
mistaken belief<b>?</b>”
Feeling overwhelmed, Catherine left the diagnostic room and quickly called Grace.
“Where are you, Catherine? Naomi is dead. We need to get to the funeral home fast,” Grace said, sounding detached. She didn’t care much for Naomi, but now, they had to show up to make everyone believe that they <b>did</b>.
<b>After </b><b>all</b>, skipping a funeral of a long term housekeeper turned family would draw negative attention.
Catherine<b>, </b>overwhelmed by her own news, started crying.
11
<b>4/6 </b>
Chapter 221 Not pregnant
“Mom, I…I fell and went to the hospital to get checked, and…the doctor says I’m not pregnant. How is this
possible? Why am I not expecting a baby? What am I supposed to do now?”
She had ced all her hopes on the child she thought she was carrying.
And now, she was informed that there was simply nothing to be found.
Grace tried to calm her down. “My dear, don’t worry. I knew you weren’t pregnant. We made up that story to gain the King family’s confidence. I didn’t tell you so you wouldn’t identally reveal our secret,” she exined gently.
Catherine quickly realized that her mother had orchestrated everything, including the false pregnancy
report.
“So…what do we do now? The King family was eagerly anticipating the arrival of their supposed great-
grandson.”
“I’ve got an idea. How about inviting Renee to Naomi’s funeral tomorrow?<b>” </b>
In the master bedroom, Marcelo was holding Renee close, his hand gently patting her back in aforting rhythm, much like one would soothe a child.
Renee could feel his efforts tofort her.
His words kept echoing in her ears.
“None of that is important. Renee, I love you. I love you. Do you hear me?”